Top Santa Barbara Unique Experiences

Make Santa Barbara your own gameboard with an interactive, app-led scavenger hunt adventure. Use a smartphone to follow a series of locally-themed clues that lead to fun challenges with your friends and family. Trace a route past historic monuments, seaside neighborhoods, and hidden gems to get an insider's look at the city. Rack up points to compete against prior scavenger hunt teams, or simply enjoy the self-guided tour at your own pace.

Enjoy a bucket-list-worthy experience in California when you learn the surfing basics during this beginner-friendly class, hosted right along the Santa Barbara coastline. With just your instructor and a small group for company, get the hang of surfing fundamentals like paddling, reading the water, and catching waves. Surfboards and wetsuits are provided, while your instructor is on hand to teach you all the skills you need.

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.

Experience some of Santa Barbara's best local wines while visiting three Santa Ynez vineyards. This all-inclusive tour allows you to sample a variety of wines at each winery, and enjoy a picnic lunch at one. The best vineyards are selected depending on the time of year you visit, so you see a range of wineries with different atmospheres and strengths.