Top Santa Barbara Cultural Tours

Eat your way through Solvang’s most delicious, authentic spots on this small-group food tour designed for couples, families and solo travelers alike. Led by a local in-the-know, you’ll skip the cheesy tourist traps and dive straight into the town’s real flavor, from award-winning sandwiches and artisan Japanese to authentic Danish pastries and small-batch gelato. Along the way, you’ll have an option to sip local wines from the Santa Ynez Valley, meet chefs and owners who keep the town’s food scene thriving, and hear quirky history, insider tips, and a few secrets you won’t find in any guidebook (we’re called Secret Solvang for a reason). Whether it’s your first visit or your annual trip, this is the tastiest and most fun way to experience Solvang like a local: relaxed vibes, genuine, and unforgettable.

Get ready to step into the living history of one of California’s most captivating cities! Santa Barbara is a place where every corner holds a story. On this tour, we’ll wander through the city’s iconic streets, filled with white adobe buildings, red-tile roofs, and elegant arches that define its Mediterranean charm. You’ll learn about the rise of the Spanish missions, the rebuilding efforts after the devastating nineteen twenty-five earthquake, and the visionaries who shaped the city’s architectural identity. The journey starts in Santa Barbara Public Market. The tour is all smartphone guided on our walking tour app. It's location aware, plays as you walk and hands free. Go at your own pace, stop and go as you please, the tour never expires, go anytime, 24/7/365.

Visit wineries that are not open to the public on this exclusive wine tasting tour. Drive through the scenic Santa Ynez Valley and visit small, family-owned establishments where you’ll taste wines and visit barrel rooms, often with the owners themselves. There’s never any standing at a crowded bar with other guests—all tastings are seated and private.

Welcome to the City of Solvang, "The Danish Capital of America". Stroll down Copenhagen Drive tasting Aebleskivers and other Danish pastries, or sampling wine in the shade of windmills. Solvang is a sun-soaked slice of Danish culture, where California wine cellars mix with European bakeries and shops. It’s where you can drink, dine and shop like a Dane without ever leaving the California sunshine! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Explore Santa Barbara's vibrant arts district on a unique walking tour led by a comedian. Starting at the stunning Granada Theatre, wander through picturesque streets adorned with white-washed adobe buildings and palm trees. Indulge in delicious snacks like Wafflecado toast and a local beer taster, capture memorable moments at iconic spots like the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and El Presidio, and savor a glass of wine paired with classic coastal pizza. Conclude your tour with tacos, cocktails, and a token for games while your guide captures fun group photos at whimsical murals, and don't worry we never forget dessert! - Discover Santa Barbara’s arts district with a comedian as your guide - Savor local treats including Wafflecado toast and ice cream - Visit famous landmarks like the Courthouse and Lobero Theatre - Enjoy sweet treats, savory bites, tasty tacos, drinks, and fun photo ops along the way

Santa Barbara offers a wealth of history and architectural splendor—and this private walking tour is the perfect way to discover the city’s highlights and lesser-known attractions alike. Set off with your guide at a time that works best for you, and visit landmarks like El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, City Hall, and the Granada Theatre. Learn about everything from the city’s origins to adobe construction as you go.

Santa Barbara is filled with charm, history, and beauty. Explore the city with a local guide to learn its fascinating facts, intriguing legends, and elements that make the city so special. Stories lurk everywhere here—the streets, the buildings, the monuments. This walking tour is designed with newcomers in mind who want to uncover the elements they may not uncover on their own and see the most of the city that they can on their visit.

California’s Santa Ynez Valley, made famous by the film Sideways (2004), is a scenic wine region and film pilgrimage site. On this 90-minute self-guided driving tour, explore iconic movie locations, award-winning vineyards, and charming towns. Highlights include: • Learn about the “Sideways Effect” on Pinot Noir and Merlot • Discover five distinct wine trails, including Foxen Canyon and Los Olivos Promenade • Visit Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café and the Firestone Vineyard barrel room • Explore biodynamic, sustainable wineries producing estate wines • See which wineries earned gold and platinum medals for quality and accessibility • Discover rich local history, from Spanish missions to celebrity residents A perfect mix of cinematic nostalgia and wine-country discovery.

Cover more of Santa Barbara than you ever could on foot on an electric bike tour. Ride your easy-to-use beach cruiser to landmarks such as State Street and the Santa Barbara Mission as your guide shares stories you won't find in the guidebook. Have your camera ready as you glide along the renowned Pacific coastline. Group numbers are capped, ensuring personalized attention and a small-group experience.

Discover the beauty of California’s famed Central Coast wine region on an all-inclusive Santa Ynez wine tour from Santa Barbara. Relax in a luxury passenger van as breathtaking landscapes lead you to the Santa Ynez Valley, where you’ll enjoy exclusive tastings at three partner wineries. With lunch, snacks, and insights from a knowledgeable local guide included, this is more than a tour—it’s a curated wine experience.

Explore the vibrant colonial city of Colombo and visit its best and most popular sightseeing destinations!.

Private cultural exploration through Santa Barbara reveals a city shaped by Spanish heritage and timeless architectural elegance. Walk through historic streets where Mediterranean influences and classical landmarks reflect centuries of transformation. Whitewashed facades and Old Town courtyards create an inspiring atmosphere connected to a history older than the United States. Discover heritage buildings, historic plazas, and elegant avenues influenced by Spanish colonial design and coastal civilization. Artistic details and historic districts reveal the remarkable evolution of the city through generations of cultural change. Scenic surroundings and architectural harmony add refinement to every step of the journey. Please note: The program and attractions may vary based on booking date/time and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

This informative historical and cultural walking tour with a professional local guide offers something for everyone (perfect for families with children), and includes many of the the “must-see” sights in Santa Barbara. You’ll get authentic and in-depth insight into our history, culture and architecture on this two hour walking tour. You’ll visit our gorgeous waterfront and learn about the Channel Islands and natural history of our region, wander into our artsy Funk Zone Neighborhood , now the hippest art and wine neighborhood in the city. You’ll see and learn about our vibrant State Street promenade, the historic Presidio complex, La Arcada, and the beautiful Santa Barbara Courthouse and the Arts District. You’ll also be treated to a delicious gourmet ice cream tasting from a famous local creamery along the way, as well as a delicious and immersive olive oil tasting experience.

Ride through the towns and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley wine region on this e-bike tour with transport from Santa Barbara. With a guide, you'll pedal a Rad Power E-bike to wineries, a lavendar farm, the town of Solvang, and other spots for wine and olive-oil tastings and lunch. A bike tour allows you to enjoy better views of the scenery than from inside a car.

Spend an afternoon immersing yourself in Santa Barbara's celebrated wine scene with this tour. Your guide will pick you up in the heart of town and take you to two wineries, where you'll get to taste locally produced wines. You'll then head to Los Olivios, where you'll have free time to explore on your own, before heading back to Santa Barbara.

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway your way with a tour that plays right from your phone. Follow the coast at your own pace, stop at any beach, and hear simple stories that guide you along ocean cliffs, wide sandy shores, and famous seaside towns. You choose when to start, where to stop, and how long to stay. Begin in Santa Barbara and head south toward Santa Monica. Pull over at scenic lookouts, walk along quiet beaches, or grab food in local beach towns along the way. Watch surfers ride the waves, spot dolphins in the distance, and enjoy cool ocean breezes as you drive. Your phone gives easy directions, works without internet, and stays with you forever so you can return anytime. Download the tour, hit the road, and enjoy one of California’s most beautiful coastal drives—your route, your pace, your day by the sea. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*