Top Santa Barbara Outdoor Activities

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.

This isn’t your average sightseeing experience. Discover California and the Santa Ynez Valley in a way even most locals won’t — soaring through the sky on a zip-line. Ride a total of three zip-wires in one day, with experts on hand to make sure everyone is staying safe and having fun.

For those seeking a fun and challenging adventure, spend up to 2 hours on this epic Adventure Course! This course features 80+ obstacles at heights up to 60 feet above the ground, built within an old growth oak grove. There are 4 main routes among 2 different levels, with obstacles ranging in difficulty from easy to very difficult. Challenge yourself at Highline Adventures!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Nestled within the majestic oak canopy of the Santa Ynez Valley, the Skynet Playground invites thrill-seekers of all ages to engage in a unique aerial adventure. This innovative playground features a netted course designed for bouncing, balancing, crawling, and climbing, allowing participants to explore their limits in a safe environment. With up to 90 minutes of limitless fun, the experience is accompanied by expert guides who ensure safety and provide essential instructions. Surrounded by breathtaking views of the oak grove, this adventure is perfect for family outings, team-building events, or celebrating special occasions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We created this experience to be a very authentic day/morning in the life of a surfer. Not just a surf lesson. Guests and truly treated as family...Like going for a surf with your uncle Micah! All participants receive a comprehensive and thorough lesson and are immersed in an authentic experience that for some; create a new passion and way of life. We meet downtown, select the wetsuit that fits best, and the board you want to surf from a large selection of long boards, mid-length and foamies. (short boards are available for advanced surfers.) I hope you can join us for a truly authentic unforgettable day of surf and good vibes. NOTE - As the group gets larger we break into smaller groups of 3 or 4ish per instructor. (everyday is different depending on the vibe of the group.)

Enjoy an active way to explore Santa Barbara’s scenic coast—and set off at a time that works best for you—with this flexible rental option. Reserve your slot in advance; choose a single kayak, a tandem kayak, or a stand-up paddleboard; and head to the rental center at West Beach. After a brief introduction to your equipment, grab a life vest and paddle and head out on the water.

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.

We have the lowest prices in town guaranteed. We have new electric cruisers that ride super smooth with belt drive instead of greasy chain. We are conveniently located in Funk Zone just 2 blocks from the beach. An e-Bike allows you to go where cars are not allowed like Channel Drive, State Street Promenade, and the harbor overlook. Unlike the white public city bikes, you get a helmet, water, and a lock included free.

Ride through the towns and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley wine region on this e-bike tour with transport from Santa Barbara. With a guide, you'll pedal a Rad Power E-bike to wineries, a lavendar farm, the town of Solvang, and other spots for wine and olive-oil tastings and lunch. A bike tour allows you to enjoy better views of the scenery than from inside a car.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."