Top Santa Barbara Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

Witness the stunning Santa Barbara sunset aboard the Azure Seas yacht. Departing from Stearns Wharf, this 1.5-hour cruise offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the majestic Santa Ynez mountains. Perfect for romantic evenings or gatherings with friends and family, the cruise features a full bar with local wines, craft beers, cocktails and delicious snacks (available for purchase). - 1.5-hour sunset cruise from Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara - Full bar onboard with local wines and craft beer options (credit card only, no cash) **All Viator bookings are main-deck. ***Our boats do not accommodate wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.

The only all-electric Duffy charter boat in Santa Barbara. Price includes captain. Whisper is USCG certified to carry up to 6 passengers (max). Trip is fully private with your guests only. Bring your own appetizers, beer, and wine (no corkage fee!) This is primarily a harbor-based cruise. When conditions are favorable, Whisper can also go out around Stearns Wharf. Boarding is 5 mins prior to departure. If you miss scheduled departure time, the tour is not extended.

Cruise the beautiful Santa Barbara coastline and soak in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This scenic tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into Santa Barbara's rich maritime history and vibrant wildlife, guided by an expert who shares captivating stories about the area’s ecology and heritage. Spot diverse marine life and marvel at the Channel Islands as you glide through the waters, uncovering why Santa Barbara is known as the 'American Riviera.' This coastal cruise is perfect for anyone eager to explore the magic of the city from a unique perspective. - Scenic coastal cruise along Santa Barbara's picturesque shoreline - Expert guide sharing insights into local ecology and maritime history - Opportunities for vibrant wildlife sightings and stunning island views - Ideal for visitors looking to experience Santa Barbara from the sea **All Viator bookings are main-deck. ***Our boats do not accommodate wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.

Our tour guides are locals and we know lots of fun facts and history of the sights we show. We do research on each point of interest in order to give you interesting stories. Because our tour is on bikes we can show you Channel Drive and State Street Promenade which can't be accessed by car. Our comfortable and fun electric bikes let you see more in less time. You'll love the 360 degree view of downtown and the coastline from the Courthouse tower and the story of how it was built. We'll tell you the story behind the sights including the interesting people involved. We love telling you about our favorite restaurants and ice cream stores. Some of them are off State Street and don't even have any signs. We ride right through the neighborhood our owner grew up in. Many people say our tours are the highlight of their trip to Santa Barbara.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a relaxed two-hour sunset farm experience on an organic vineyard and sheep ranch. Meet the farmers on this eco-friendly farm. Stroll the property, interact with friendly sheep, and savor a guided tasting of three wines alongside freshly pressed olive oil. The experience concludes with artisanal charcuterie and sweeping mountain views of the sunset - an authentic, intimate taste of sustainable farming, food, and wine. Tour Highlights: - Meet & Greet: Pickup location Mission Santa Ynez - Farm Welcome & Introductions – Meet the farmer & get oriented. - Working Farm & Sheep Interaction – Walk the property and interact with friendly sheep while learning about regenerative farming. -Wine & Olive Oil Tasting – A guided tasting of three Amevive wines, freshly pressed olive oil, with insight into varietals, farming methods, and production. -Charcuterie @ Sunset – Settle in with artisanal charcuterie, wine in hand, and take in the spectacular sunset over the mountains.

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 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.

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.

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.

US Ghost Adventures is the leading provider of haunted ghost tours in America — we even own some of the most haunted properties in America, like the Lizzie Borden House! Every tour is hosted by an experienced, knowledgeable local guide. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from people who have witnessed the unexplained — sometimes even a guest’s eerie encounter or the guide’s own!   US Ghost Adventures offers an authentic experience that strives to make sense of the unexplainable. Our ghost tours are based on real-world portrayals of hauntings and well-documented history.

Come join us for the unique experience of exploring Santa Barbara on an Ebike. One of the most bike friendly cities in the nation. We're proud to be the original electric bike tour of Santa Barbara. After decades of designing the perfect tour we've found the best spots in town to show you. Other bike tours look similar for a reason, they've learned from the best! We're confident that our experience will make your bike tour the highlight of your trip. Unlike other tours our guides curate the tour to be customized to your interests and ability. The quality of our e-bikes is unmatched. We proudly offer the largest high-end electric bike fleet in California. After parking in our free parking lot your guide will greet you and provide an opening safety tutorial. If you don't love your ebike just let your guide know and we have many other brands you can try. We typically choose the easiest and most comfortable pedal assist ebikes but if you'd like a throttle we can switch that in easily.

Are you looking for a way to see downtown Santa Barbara without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Find out if Santa Barbara really is California’s answer to the French Riviera on this walking tour through the idyllic seaside city • Hear from producer Mindy Flanagan, who co-founded Tour Freely with her husband, Jerry • Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Discover a side of Solvang that few other visitors get to experience—and tap into the region’s supernatural lore—on this evening ghost tour. Meet your guide in the center of town and set off with EMF meters, dowsing rods, and other ghost-hunting tools to aid you. You’ll see historic highlights of the town, and can attempt to spot local spirits, all while your guide shares Solvang’s spookiest ghost stories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As the only water sports rental company on Santa Barbara's West Beach, we pride ourselves on the easiest kayak and paddle board experience you'll find. Safe and high-quality gear is paramount to our business, so we constantly update our kayak and paddle board inventory. The best part? Our helpful and friendly staff is ready to assist to ensure you have a smooth, fun, and memorable ocean adventure.