Santa Barbara Waterfront Tours and Tickets

Q: What’s the best way to experience the Santa Barbara Waterfront?

There are plenty of ways to experience the Santa Barbara Waterfront. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:<ul><li><a href="/tours/Santa-Barbara/Santa-Barbara-Trolley-Tour/d4372-163975P1" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Santa Barbara Trolley Tour</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Santa-Barbara/Santa-Barbara-Electric-Bike-Tour/d4372-5753EBT" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Santa-Barbara/Private-Kayak-Tour-of-Santa-Barbara/d4372-5753KAYAK" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Santa-Barbara/Electric-Bike-Rental-Hourly/d4372-5753P10" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Electric Bike Rental in Santa Barbara</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Santa-Barbara/2-Hour-Santa-Barbara-Fun-Paddle/d4372-7270P12" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)</a></li></ul>

Q: Is there parking available near the Santa Barbara Waterfront?

Yes, there is parking available near the Santa Barbara Waterfront. Expect to pay around US$3.50 per hour, with a daily maximum of US$20–$40, depending on the lot. Stearns Wharf offers the first 90 minutes free, then about US$3 per hour, capped at US$30 per day.

Q: Can I take a water taxi at the Santa Barbara Waterfront?

Yes, the Lil’ Toot water taxi is a fun way to travel between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Keep an eye on the schedule; the water taxi runs hourly on Friday through Monday from 11:45am to 4:15pm. It offers 1-way narrated rides between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf, and reservations are strongly encouraged to avoid sold-out trips.

Q: Where can I go kayaking, paddleboarding, or see sea caves from the Waterfront?

The Santa Barbara Waterfront is a hub for water sports. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards right at the harbor and explore the coastline at your own pace. You can also book guided tours that take you out to the Channel Islands sea caves, where paddling through hidden grottos is a highlight.

19 results

Best Seller

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

1 hour 30 minutes

4.6

(859)

from $37

Likely to Sell Out

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.

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Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(578)

from $85

Price varies by group size

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(199)

from $59

Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Paddle into the sunset along the Southern California coast during this beginner-friendly, small-group kayaking trip from Santa Barbara. Watch the last rays of the day melt into the Pacific as you travel through the glassy waters of Santa Barbara Harbor. Pass by the historic wharf, keeping an eye out for marine life; a guide and all necessary kayaking gear are included to make logistics easy.

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Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(67)

from $89

Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide

Our Santa Barbara Kayak Tour can be a private tour or group tour experience. You choose your adventure! If you're looking for a more intimate Santa Barbara kayaking experience then our private kayak tour will be a perfect fit. If you're hoping to kayak Santa Barbara with other travelers and enjoy the sights with new friends then the group kayak tour is the way to go! Whichever kayaking tour you choose you'll be in the very capable hands of our friendly and experienced tour guides. Your local kayaking guide will show you the stunning boats in our harbor as well as introduce you to some cute and cuddly sea lions and seals! Prepare to take in views of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins! Your expert guide will share information about Santa Barbara's top attractions and customize the speed of the ride to suit your needs. Our goal is that kayaking Santa Barbara will be the highlight of your trip!

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Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(442)

from $55

Private Guided Tour in Santa Barbara on Electric Bikes

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.

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Private Guided Tour in Santa Barbara on Electric Bikes

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(103)

from $90

Santa Barbara Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Rental

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.

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Santa Barbara Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Rental

1 hourFree Cancellation

5.0

(28)

from $30

Per group

Santa Barbara Electric Bike Rentals

1 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

4.3

(7)

from $27

Likely to Sell Out

Lil’ Toot Santa Barbara Private Boat Tour

Step aboard Lil’ Toot, Santa Barbara’s happiest boat, and celebrate life’s special moments surrounded by family, friends, and the beauty of the harbor. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, or simply gathering your favorite people, this private one-hour cruise offers an intimate and unforgettable way to mark any occasion. With space for up to 19 guests, a dedicated captain and crew, and drinks and snacks available onboard, everything you need for a carefree celebration is waiting for you.

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Lil’ Toot Santa Barbara Private Boat Tour

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.5

from $395

Per group

Tours of Santa Barbara . ( Private ) 6 hours .

Tours of Santa Barbara offers the most comprehensive tour of, Santa Barbara in the World offering one and two day tours of, Santa Barbara . In this journey you'll see the region's finest places while discovering a portfolio of local and hidden attractions taking you to hot spots combined with unique landscapes and near breath taking panoramic views from all around in this tour . AGE RESTRICTED FROM 1 to 62 YEARS because of ext. walking, stairways and brief climbing .

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Tours of Santa Barbara . ( Private ) 6 hours .

6 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(20)

from $219

The Original Group Electric Bike Tour of Santa Barbara

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.

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The Original Group Electric Bike Tour of Santa Barbara

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(6)

from $85

Electric Bike Rental in Santa Barbara

1 hour to 1 dayFree Cancellation

5.0

(167)

from $50

Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

1 hourFree Cancellation

5.0

(42)

from $15

Likely to Sell Out

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."

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City & Sand Electric Bike Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(92)

from $105

Likely to Sell Out

Stand-Up Paddleboard Lesson in Santa Barbara

Learn to SUP, or stand-up paddleboard, in Santa Barbara during a 1.5-hour lesson at Leadbetter Beach. No matter your skill level, you’ll learn to stand up and kneel down, balance and paddle as you’re accompanied onto the water. A wetsuit is provided for this all-weather outdoor activity that gives you a glimpse of marine life and the Santa Barbara coastline. Your lesson is limited to 18 people to ensure more personalized attention from the expert instructor.

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Stand-Up Paddleboard Lesson in Santa Barbara

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(26)

from $85

Price varies by group size

Santa Barbara Bike Rentals: Electric, Mountain or Hybrid

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.

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Santa Barbara Bike Rentals: Electric, Mountain or Hybrid

1 dayFree Cancellation

5.0

(133)

from $60

Private Family Heritage Walking Tour in Santa Barbara

Private family exploration through historic Santa Barbara reveals a coastal city shaped by Spanish heritage and cultural elegance. Walk through Old Town streets where classical architecture and Mediterranean influence reflect centuries of transformation. Historic landmarks and scenic courtyards create an inspiring atmosphere connected to a legacy older than the United States. Ancient cultural influences blend with coastal scenery and vibrant local character across every step of the journey. This walking experience is designed for families seeking cultural depth, architectural charm, and memorable discovery along California’s historic coastline. Please note: The program and attractions may vary based on booking date/time and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

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Private Family Heritage Walking Tour in Santa Barbara

3 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

from $259

Price varies by group size

Private Day Tour to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles

9 hoursFree Cancellation

2.0

from $985

Per group

Santa Barbara Private Tour

9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(5)

from $849

Per group

What are people saying about Santa Barbara Waterfront

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Thomas_C, Jun 2026

Very well planned and...

Very well planned and informative Our driver was Chuck and was extremely professional and knowledgeable about the area

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Bea_G, Jun 2026

We had a great time on...

We had a great time on tour! The trolley operator was very knowledgeable about the history & sites to see. It was a great way to spend 1 1/2 hours on the tour.

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Jiejie_W, Jun 2026

The most guided kayaking trip

Our tour guide Spencer and James were very fun to hang out with, and so thoughtful the whole time to give a good intro about kayaking skills, take photos for us, and share their knowledge about the wildlife and the history in Santa Barbara. The part when we got to kayak under the wharf and between the boats in the harbor was so interesting. This was probably one of the most fun kayaking trip we have ever had! I really appreciate both of their company and help, and we had a fantastic time.

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

cohenteam, Jun 2026

Fun excursion

Very enjoyable. Just the right amount of time. Sofia was knowledgeable and we saw sea lions and bay seals.

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Anne_H, Jun 2026

Fun & Informative Tour

Joey was a great tour guide and driver. He was very knowledgeable about the history Santa Barbara. He is the 10th generation to be born and bred there. The tour drives through downtown, city hall, the funk zone and even Mendocino. They make a brief stop (15 min.) at the Santa Barbara Mission where you can take pictures. It was a fun tour!

Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide

Karen_Z, Jun 2026

Kayaking with Wildlife

We went on the 11 am tour, and the weather was still a little cool and overcast, which is what we prefer. If you want a lot of sun for your tour, try later in the afternoon. The tour itself was great. Ryan was our guide and he obviously has a passion, not only for water sports and kayaking, but also local history and wildlife education. We really enjoyed the whole tour!

Tours of Santa Barbara . ( Private ) 6 hours .

Cynthia_B, Feb 2026

Galentine’s Day Tour of Santa Barbara 2026

Felix was a highly knowledgeable and thoughtful tour guide. He made sure we had time at each stop, yet gave us space to explore through out the day. He provided great hints for what to look for as highlights at each stop. We had a delicious lunch at a nice picnic area near the ocean. The weather was beautiful and the tour experience was beyond our expectations and we recommend it for everyone. The only challenge we experienced was the walk up to the clock tower, which the stairs going up were steep. It was magnificent and worth every dollar.