Top Santa Barbara How to Get Around in 2026

Head for the Danish town of Solvang, nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, for a food- and photography-focused tour. You'll make stops for multiple food and drink tastings (many traditional Danish treats) and listen to guided commentary. Your guide will also provide your small group with tips and pointers on how to get the best photos of your adventure.

The Funk Zone (a business, arts, and culture district located just moments from the beach) is one of Santa Barbara’s hippest and most distinctive neighborhoods—and this small-group walking tour makes it easy to discover its highlights. Meet right outside the train station, and come thirsty: you’ll sip the fruits of local vineyards at two different wine tasting rooms. Other stops include an ice cream parlor, plus artsy neighborhood landmarks.

Environmentally conscious travelers will love the chance to tour Santa Barbara by private e-bike. Instead of joining a wasteful bus tour or getting tired on a walking tour, hire an e-bike and zip around the city. See and do exactly what you want with e-bike hire ranging from one hour to one day. You'll be given a map and some local tips to help you find your way around.

Follow an experienced guide on a 1.5-hour mountain bike tour over Santa Barbara’s scenic terrain. Select a beginner or intermediate route according to your skill level, and ride over coastal bluffs and through lovely meadows. Enjoy fantastic photo ops of renowned Southern California landscapes on this small-group tour, limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to assist and encourage you along through your phone. We are an Austin, TX-based global custom event design company offering scavenger hunts and other events in 300+ cities in North America and beyond. Our specially hand-crafted adventures are equal parts tour, creative challenge, detective hunt, and social experiment! Guests get to discover in an alternate reality our favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues - for points! They get to enjoy fame and glory while appearing on our website’s international leaderboard, no matter what their score. They get to essentially race other teams in other cities, even if they don’t have competitors who have signed up in their city that day. Get ready to discover unusual oddities, laugh out loud, and make the experience your own!

Transform your kids into Vikings for a day on this engaging adventure in Solvang. Children will embark on a quest that includes a scavenger hunt through the charming Danish village, exploring the Solvang Viking Museum, and discovering ancient Viking lore. Young adventurers will have fun inventing Viking names, hunting for hidden clues, and tasting freshly made aebleskiver, a local favorite. The tour wraps up with a visit to a local arcade, making it a well-rounded experience of history and play. - Fun-filled 90-minute Viking adventure designed for kids ages 5-12 - Interactive scavenger hunt through Solvang and - Entry to the Viking Museum - Includes aebleskiver donuts and arcade tokens - Limited group size of 12 for personalized attention

There’s hardly a better place to learn to surf than the Southern California locale of Ventura, which offers fantastic weather year-round. During this 1.5-hour private lesson, an expert instructor shows you how to stand up on your surfboard and balance, offering tips on how to catch the perfect wave while ensuring your safety in the water. Wetsuit and surfboard rental are included, and all skill levels are welcome.

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.

Get around Santa Barbara with a 1- or 2-day bicycle rental that provides three options: an electric, mountain or hybrid bike. You can cover a lot of ground, including the city streets and coastline, without even pedaling, or explore the nearby hills or Santa Ynez Mountains on a mountain bike. Opt for a hybrid bike if you want to experience the speed of a road bike combined with the stability of a cruiser. Choose from a selection of models appropriate for both beginning riders and those with more advanced skills.

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.

Ride the sands, boardwalk, and promenade of Santa Barbara to explore town on your very own fat tire electric bike. This is the only tour that gives you oceanfront views right on the sand of the city's famous beaches. On the way, admire the Spanish-inspired architecture, swaying palm trees, and historic highlights. This must-do activity will show you everything on offer in "America's Riviera."

Santa Barbara's wine country is one of California’s most beloved regions, but this verdant spot also produces another treasure: olive oil. On this half-day bike tour, you'll hit the open road up into the Mediterranean hills of Los Olivos, learning from your guide and exploring along the way. Winding your way to an olive oil farm, you'll sample the local goodness before heading back to city life.

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.

Indulge in a truly unique, private wine experience in Santa Barbara’s Santa Ynez Valley. This exclusive tour takes you beyond crowded commercial tasting rooms into ultra-small production wineries not open to the public. Enjoy seated tastings with winemakers and estate owners, walk through private vineyards, and tour barrel rooms—all with transfer in a Tesla Model X or Mercedes.

Experience the night sky with a PhD-level astronomy guide who brings the cosmos to life through storytelling and expert insight. Escape the city lights and experience Santa Barbara’s night sky on a PhD-led stargazing tour. Travel to a dark sky location where your astronomy guide brings the cosmos to life through telescope viewing and storytelling. View planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies through a high-powered telescope with guided explanations. Enjoy a comfortable, small-group experience with luxury transportation, hot drinks, and warm gear provided.

Admire the scenic wonder of California’s Central Coast Wine Region on this private Santa Ynez Valley tour. Our door-to-door shuttle service will pick you up and you’ll visit three local wineries. Learn about the region's unique varietals and wine production at our favorite partner wineries.

Drive Santa Barbara wine country yourself, with a GPS audio guide that plays automatically as you go. Your booking unlocks the whole region in the free Wine Trails app: pick your date and starting point — Solvang, Los Olivos, Buellton or downtown Santa Barbara — choose the cellar doors you want from 63 across the valleys, and the app builds your personal route with turn-by-turn narration. 86 stories cover the county's people and places: as you roll past the Santa Ynez Valley's tasting rooms you'll hear how, in 2004, a film called Sideways turned these quiet rooms into international pilgrimage sites overnight. No group, no schedule, no guide — pause for a long lunch in Los Olivos, replay anything, and the audio keeps working when the signal drops on Foxen Canyon Road. You'll need a car and a designated driver; tastings are booked and paid directly with the wineries.

Step beyond the tasting rooms and discover the Santa Ynez Valley through the farmers and ranchers who cultivate its land. These small-group farm and food experiences offer a rare opportunity to connect directly with local ranchers, farmers, and growers through behind-the-scenes visits, seasonal tastings, and hands-on encounters with friendly rare-breed animals and u-pick harvests. Along the way, guests enjoy relaxed transportation and beautiful on-farm picnics that celebrate the region’s bounty.

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

Bypass crowded tasting rooms and raucous crowds—and head to several of the Santa Barbara area’s small-production, ultra-premium wineries—on this private, luxury tour. Following pickup from your area accommodation by Tesla SUV, venture to three wineries for sit-down tastings led by the winemakers and owners. All tasting fees are included, and you’ll enjoy a locally sourced organic lunch with menu options selected after booking.

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*

The Solvang History Tour offers a unique blend of humor and history as a professional comedian guides you through the charming streets of Solvang, California. Uncover the town's delightful secrets and fascinating Danish heritage while enjoying entertaining anecdotes that bring history to life. This one-hour walking tour is perfect for those looking to explore Solvang from a fresh perspective, combining laughter with learning in a fun atmosphere. Ideal for locals and visitors alike, join one of the multiple tours daily to experience Solvang like never before. - Guided by a professional comedian for a humorous experience - One-hour walking tour exploring Solvang's history and Danish culture - Maximum group size of 20 guests for a personalized experience - Tour times available at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM daily

Dive into adventure , your go-to for the ultimate app-led adventure hunts! Step into a world where every landmark and hidden gem is waiting to be discovered. Challenge yourself with trivia, tackle brain-teasing puzzles, and embark on an epic journey of exploration! Whether you’re collaborating with your crew or turning up the competition, Hunts guarantee a blast for all. Perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a spontaneous outing, a wild bachelorette bash, a festive birthday celebration, or a team-building extravaganza. Each player gets to dive into an interactive role, ensuring every challenge is as thrilling and unique as the next. So, gather your squad, choose your adventure, and let the good times roll! Every outing becomes a treasure trove of memories and excitement. Are you ready to conquer the city and create unforgettable experiences? Let’s Roam and make every day an adventure!

Discover Santa Barbara like never before with a scavenger hunt that blends adventure, history, and fun. Navigate through the city’s charming streets as you solve puzzles and uncover intriguing facts about its Spanish Colonial architecture and notable landmarks, including the Granada Theater and the iconic courthouse. This interactive experience allows you to explore at your own pace, perfect for families, friends, or a unique date idea. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this adventure promises to engage and entertain while showcasing the beauty of Santa Barbara.