Top Santa Barbara Food Tours

Get ready to eat like a local on this comedian-led hidden gems food tour — a flavorful downtown adventure packed with laughs, unexpected finds, and some of the city’s best under-the-radar bites. This isn’t your average food tour. It’s a curated experience for people who want to skip the tourist traps and discover the spots locals obsess over. Guests will kick things off with tacos from one of the best taco spots in town before heading to a tucked-away fried chicken restaurant known for crispy, crave-worthy comfort food that most visitors would walk right past. From there, the tour continues with delicious pizza at a beloved local favorite, all while your comedian guide shares stories, jokes, city history, and fun facts that turn the evening into equal parts comedy show and culinary adventure. The tour wraps up with a crowd favorite: authentic Turkish ice cream, complete with the playful tricks and theatrical serving style that make it just as entertaining as it is delicious.

Taco lovers and foodies can tuck into the best tacos, margaritas, and more that Santa Barbara has to offer on this guided food tour. Combine a walking tour of Santa Barbara's Downtown with stops at 5 of the city's most delicious taco restaurants so you can truly eat like a local. Private group experiences and custom tours are available.

Grab a group of friends for a day of wine-tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley, without worrying about who's going to drive home after. It's an all-inclusive tour with pickup and drop-off from hotels in Solvang, Los Olivos, Buellton, and Santa Ynez. Visit three wineries to learn more about the winemaking process, see the vineyards, and enjoy a picnic lunch at one.

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.

Santa Barbara is a true food lovers paradise. Its culinary scene thrives on fresh coastal ingredients, local vineyards, and a commitment to farm-to-table quality. It is a destination where natural beauty and rich cultural history come together, creating an unforgettable experience for any visitor. Known as the “American Riviera,” the city offers stunning Mediterranean-style landscapes—red-tile roofs, palm-lined streets, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara invites exploration through its historic sites, including the iconic Old Mission, the Spanish Colonial architecture of El Presidio, and the lively waterfront that reflects centuries of coastal heritage. Whether you're strolling State Street, wandering through the Funk Zone’s art-filled district, or eating your way through the city, Santa Barbara offers a delicious and distinctly local taste of California’s Central Coast at every turn.

Our local guides know best. We'll take you on a tour to our 3 favorite taquerias and a nice e-bike ride to boot! Tour includes 1 taco at each place and 1 beer or soda at the last place. The low price won't break your budget and the history and sights will amaze you. There are meat options and non-meat options. My favorite is pastor which is a pineapple flavored pork. Please join us for the fun and filling lunch ride.

Spend an unforgettable half a day enjoying beautiful Santa Barbara with your friends or family. Live like a local for a day, on a lively, engaging tour of the town. Fill up on delicious food from several local eateries and sample the region's best wine or beer with tastings in between strolls that take you past the town's many theaters and plazas.

Perfect for team building activities in Santa Barbara, food lovers and more..this tour is a top-rated group experience combining incredible food, local culture, and unforgettable team bonding. Experience one of the most premium food tours in Santa Barbara with a guided walk through the vibrant Funk Zone. This elevated culinary experience features curated tastings and chef-driven dishes that highlight the best of the local food scene. Enjoy California Wines, Craft Beers and even Sake! Explore top Funk Zone spots while your guide shares stories, history, and insider insights that bring the neighborhood to life. The experience concludes near the waterfront with a memorable final tasting in a scenic setting. Ideal for guests seeking a high-end, curated experience blending food, culture, and local charm. Book now to enjoy one of the top food tour experiences in Santa Barbara.

Stroll through downtown Santa Barbara with a guide and small group to get the most out of your visit. You'll benefit from insightful commentary as you visit some of the top attractions, as well as some eateries you might not find on your own. Purchase food or drinks at the three historical cocktail bars and listen to the explanation of why each is significant. Traveling with a small group means you'll get plenty of attention from your guide.

Avoid the stuffy minivans and tour buses that go from winery to winery; instead, enjoy the wind in your hair as you cycle around the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley on this charming cycling tour. Head out from Los Olivos and explore the parks, villages and rural landscapes of the Valley. Enjoy a pair of wine tastings and sample locally-grown, locally-produced food at local farms and vineyards.

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.

Many wine tasting tours in the Santa Barbara region stop at large commercial wineries with crowded bars and cellar door tasting rooms. Avoid the crowds and savor a more intimate wine tasting experience on this tour around exclusive private estates and small-production wineries that aren’t open to the public. Sample premium wines in private tasting rooms and go behind the scenes with winemakers and owner-operators to discover the secrets behind their wines.

Tour Santa Barbara wine country with a guide on this full-day small-group outing. Perfect for couples and small groups who appreciate exclusivity, this tour visits intimate, family-owned vineyards not typically open to the general public. Get the VIP treatment with tours of the cellars and vineyards, often with the owners themselves.

Explore the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country on this easy tour. Visit 2-3 wineries with our Wine Country Shuttle service, while learning about local history from one of our tour guides. Travel in comfort and style from your pickup in central Santa Barbara, onboard a luxury, air-conditioned van. Stop for a tasty lunch in whimsical Los Olivos during the 5-hour tour.

Perfect for team building activities, food lovers, date night & Bachelorette parties in Santa Barbara, our Downtown Taco Tour is a top-rated group experience combining incredible food, local culture and of course Margaritas. Taco Tour travels the Downtown area of Santa Barbara. “Private group experiences and custom tours are available.” Historical | Taco Walking Tour Taste a curated selection of some of the best tacos in Santa Barbara while exploring the most popular spots. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the area’s history, food scene, and local culture, making this more than just a food tour—it’s a full experience. The relaxed and interactive format makes it easy for everyone to connect while enjoying great food in one of Santa Barbara’s most exciting neighborhoods. If you're searching for fun things to do in Santa Barbara, this walking food tour offers the perfect mix of flavor, fun, and local insight.

Visitors who want a quick, fun overview of Santa Barbara's highlights will love this 90-minute trolley tour of the American Riviera. Drive past landmarks like the courthouse, the zoo, the Mission, and the Museum of Natural History. Learn about the town's culture and history from live commentary and note places that you might want to return to independently later.

Enjoy a personalized private wine tour in Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley. Customize your itinerary with your guide to visit wineries and tasting rooms of your choice, including stops at Solvang, a local olive oil farm, an ostrich farm, and wineries such as Melville, Roblar, and The Brander Vineyard. Note that wine tastings are not included in this tour.

Start your Santa Barbara afternoon the right way with AFK Food Tours. In about 2 hours, you’ll hit four of the area’s most crave-worthy dessert spots on an easy walk near State Street—sunny, stylish, and built for maximum flavor with minimal effort. You’ll enjoy samples + full scoops at every stop, so you’re not just tasting… you’re actually getting fed. Skip the guesswork. This route is intentionally curated for contrast: creamy classics, bright fruit-forward options, gelato-smooth textures, and a specialty stop that feels uniquely Santa Barbara. Each stop earns its place—no filler. Between bites, you’ll stroll palm-lined streets and Spanish-style scenery with plenty of photo moments. Your guide keeps it smooth with quick local insight and smart recommendations, so you finish full, relaxed, and already knowing where to head next for drinks, dinner, or sunset. Group size is intentionally limited to keep it social and never crowded.

Taste some of Santa Barbara’s great wines as you visit top winemaking destinations in Santa Ynez Valley. Make three stops for tastings at a mix of family-owned vineyards and small-production tasting rooms, and enjoy a picnic lunch. You’ll get an intimate experience of the wine region as you sample the wines and hear from your guide about winemaking in California.

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.

Explore Santa Barbara's wine country without the hassle of driving on this private tour for just you and your group of friends or family. Visit three wineries of your choosing for wine tastings of different varietals, and enjoy pickup and drop-off in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Los Alamos, Santa Maria, Montecito, Summerland, and surrounding towns.

Discover the great wines of the Santa Ynez valley during a 5-hour wine tour. This part of Santa Barbara's heralded wine country is home to more than 120 mostly family-owned wineries. You can customize your itinerary in consultation with your private guide to create a half-day tour itinerary that visits the places of your choosing. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lompoc, Buellton, Los Olivos, Solvang, Los Alamo, and Santa Ynez.

Learn all about Santa Barbara’s spookiest ghost stories and supposedly haunted highlights—and enjoy top-rated local wine as part of the experience—on this two-in-one, small-group tour. Meet your guide right at an area winery, indulge in sips and samples, and listen to their tales of paranormal encounters. Then embark on a walking tour around town, from El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park to City Hall and Chinatown.