Top Santa Barbara Nature and Wildlife Tours

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.

Come relax and unwind for an hour with the fuzzy, loving rescued cats of Cat Therapy! We foster cats rescued by the local shelter in a comfortable, home-like environment. While they wait to be adopted, guests can visit them, helping us socialize the kitties. Entry fees support our mission of finding homes for rescued cats. Visitors from all over the world welcome to this local experience.

This is a fully immersive outdoor experience led by local beekeeper Steve. Learn directly from him as he shares his knowledge, stories, and passion for the bees that help shape Ojai Valley’s agricultural community. Watch as Steve opens live hives to reveal worker bees, drones, and the Queen Bee. See tools like the smoker in action and sample raw local honey varieties, including wildflower, orange, and sage.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. You won't have to worry about equipment rentals since kayaking gear is included.

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.

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!

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.

Step beyond the tasting rooms and discover the Santa Ynez Valley through the people 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.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our vineyard, meticulously cultivated using organic practices, produces grapes that are transformed into wines of remarkable quality. Our portfolio features a variety of wines, including our signature Cabernet Sauvignon, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, robust Petit Verdot, and our rare Cabernet Franc. Visitors can immerse themselves in the winemaking process with a guided tour of our vineyard. Learn about our sustainable farming methods and see firsthand how our wines are crafted with precision and care. The experience culminates in our cabana, where you can savor our wines' distinct flavors and aromas while enjoying the serene vineyard views. Our Estate is more than just a winery—it's a place to relax and reconnect with nature.

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.

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide. Discover the natural beauty of Southern California on this guided hiking experience in Ojai. Peaceful forest trails and scenic valley views await! Have you ever wandered through oak groves, along bubbling creeks? Or wondered what unique flora and fauna call the Los Padres National Forest home? Enjoy unobstructed, panoramic vistas of Ojai’s pixelated orange groves and terracotta rooftops below. Why do the Topa Topa mountains glow an impossible shade of strawberry-pink at sunset when other ranges merely darken? You'll learn how a strict ban on chain stores has preserved the view you see today. What ancient energy drew the Chumash people here centuries ago? Discover why they named this the "Valley of the Moon" and why it remains a spiritual sanctuary for so many today. Please note: The availability and accessibility of attractions may vary based on time of day and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

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.

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."

Discover many of Santa Barbara’s key historical highlights—and most scenic vistas—on this private, half-day tour. Pick a time that works best for you, and set off to explore landmarks like the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Clock Tower, Mission Santa Barbara, and the More Mesa Preserve. You’ll also hike along the city’s seaside cliffs, will learn about the local Chumash people, will discover the Santa Barbara Harbor, and more.

Explore the rugged beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley on a 2.5-hour 4x4 Bronco tour across 1,200 acres of private ranch land. This educational adventure takes you through breathtaking landscapes while learning about the area's rich history, geology, and ecology. With an experienced guide at the wheel, enjoy an interactive journey that includes a visit to a working protea flower farm and insights into local wildlife. This tour caters to all ages, making it perfect for families and nature enthusiasts seeking an immersive outdoor experience. - Maximum of 4 guests - 2.5-hour professionally guided tour in a climate-controlled Ford Bronco - Experience the peek performance of a Ford Bronco over steep hill climbs and rugged dirt trails - Includes free trail snacks, drinks, and an exclusive photo opportunity access

Go on a unique parasailing adventure through Santa Barbara on the coast of California. See the city from above guided by an expert captain while enjoying the aerial views over the wharfs, beaches, and Californian waves. Enjoy this activity with your family and friends to share the memories of a lifetime.

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.

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*