Top Santa Barbara Food & Drink

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.

Savor the best of historic Santa Barbara on a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour through the heart of this scenic, seaside city. Meet local chefs and artisans as you explore alongside your local guide, and get an insider’s take on the vibrant gourmet scene. Sample locally-made wines, handcrafted chocolate and gourmet cheese at a series of six tasting stops that include a public market, wineries and boutiques. Learn a bit of local history as you trace the relaxed course, which blends essential landmarks with hidden gems and local favorites.

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.

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

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.

Uncork the magic of the Santa Ynez Valley with Grapeline Wine Tours—a curated wine country experience like no other. Delight in visits to three wineries, where reservations and logistics are handled by Grapeline. Savor each sip at your own pace—tasting fees are NOT included and are pay-as-you-go. Many wineries offer partial or full refunds when you join their wine clubs or purchase bottles to take home. Indulge in a delicious, boxed picnic lunch with seven options to choose from, enjoyed amidst the serene backdrop of a winery. Relax and enjoy hosted transportation aboard a deluxe touring vehicle, led by a friendly and knowledgeable driver/host who ensures your day is seamless and fun. Convenient pick-up and drop-off are included from Santa Ynez Valley area hotels, making your wine adventure as effortless as it is memorable. With Grapeline, your journey through wine country is filled with exceptional tastes, picturesque settings, and unforgettable moments.

Join us for the ultimate Santa Barbara Happy Hour experience! Departing from the historic Stearns Wharf, our 70’ luxury yacht, Azure Seas, invites you to revel in 90 minutes of sea breezes, sunshine, and coastal-inspired drinks along our sun-kissed coastline. Relax in comfort with indoor booths or soak up the sun on the deck, for a unique Happy Hour moment. Gaze over the American Riviera coastline, from the sun-drenched beaches to the peaks of the Santa Ynez mountains, as you select from local beer, wine, or our signature cocktails.

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.

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.

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.

Indulge your passions for tasty bites, drinks, and photography on this small-group food and photo tour in Santa Barbara. Follow your guide to several local eateries, a microbrewery, a wine bar, and more, all in the city’s artsy Funk Zone. As you snack and sip, get helpful tips for capturing high-quality food photography using anything from a smartphone to a high-end digital SLR.

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.

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 Santa Barbara's vibrant Funk Zone through an engaging walking tour that combines curated wine tastings and delightful small bites. With pre-arranged visits to two boutique tasting rooms, guests enjoy guided wine flights while learning about unique varietals and the winemaking process. This tour merges local flavors and art, ensuring a rich cultural experience in Santa Barbara's buzzing food and tasting district. Ideal for couples, friends, and locals, this afternoon adventure invites you to sip, stroll, and savor without the need for transportation. After the tour, unwind at nearby restaurants with insider recommendations from your knowledgeable guide. - Curated wine tastings at two local Funk Zone tasting rooms - Enjoy small bites featuring local culinary flavors - Knowledgeable guide provides insider tips for dining and exploring - Tour duration is 3 hours, from 2 PM to 5 PM, daily

Explore the charming town of Solvang and surrounding Santa Ynez wine country on a self-guided electric bike tour that allows you the freedom to discover at your own pace. Pedal through beautiful parks, vineyards, and historic sites such as the Mission Santa Inez and Clairmont Lavender Farm, all while enjoying the fresh air and scenery. This tour is included FREE with half-day and full-day rentals, making it an ideal choice for families, friends, or solo adventurers. Bring along some local cheeses and bread for a delightful picnic amidst the stunning landscapes of Solvang. • Explore Solvang, vineyards, and countryside landmarks • Flexible adventure with your choice of e-bike rental - Half Day (2-4 hours) or Full Day (4+ hours, same-day return) • Includes helmet, map, bike bag, and suggested stops • Great for couples, families, or solo travelers

Eat your way through Solvang’s most delicious, authentic spots on this small-group food and wine walk. 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 sushi to authentic Danish pastries and small-batch gelato. Along the way, you’ll sip local wines from the Santa Ynez Valley, meet some of the 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.

This is not your typical wine tasting. The Wine & True Crime Tour blends Solvang’s quirkiest tasting rooms with chilling tales of crime and the macabre. Think of it as a storytelling experience with drinks, not a guided lesson in wine. Over two hours, you’ll join a small group of fellow true crime fans as we visit three unique spots, including a slasher-themed winery and offbeat wine bars. Along the way, your guide will share gripping stories of 70s serial killers, unsolved mysteries, and haunted mortuaries. You’ll enjoy three generous pours: a wine flight, a wine-based tiki cocktail (no rum here), and a sparkling wine farewell toast. Come ready for dark tales, bold pours, and a one-of-a-kind night out.

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.

Here at Menchaca Chocolates we'd like to think we are adventurers continuing to re-define an ancient Pod found 150 miles from the equator. So we decided that to truly understand this magical bean you have to experience it through all your senses: taste, touch, smell, cracking and visual transformation. We developed these Chocolate & Art Workshops to do just that. You will get to know the possibilities and have a chance to make a custom unique Chocolate product and if you choose, design a label or Box to package it in. You can also learn exactly how we make our chocolate in Mr. Menchaca's Micro- batch Chocolate Factory Tour!

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.

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.

Explore the Santa Barbara wine region by electric bike on a self-guided tour from Los Olivos. Your package includes a Pedego Electric Bike with carrying satchel, wine trail map, and cold bottled water. With an electric bike, you can cover 5 to 15 miles without tiring, switching on the motor when needed. Staff can recommend and help customize your itinerary based on your interests.

For a foodie-friendly outing combining local history with California wine culture, you can enjoy the best of both with this Santa Barbara small-group tour. Start your midday adventure with convenient meet-up in the downtown area. With your guide leading the way, you can sip wine at two boutique tasting rooms, sample artisanal chocolates, and learn about the region's famed wine industry and top winemakers.