Private Santa Barbara History and Architecture Walking Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Santa Barbara, USA
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Santa Barbara offers a wealth of history and architectural splendor—and this private walking tour is the perfect way to discover the city’s highlights and lesser-known attractions alike. Set off with your guide at a time that works best for you, and visit landmarks like El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, City Hall, and the Granada Theatre. Learn about everything from the city’s origins to adobe construction as you go.
- Your guide will customize the tour itinerary to fit your interests
- Learn the stories behind the sights from your guide’s in-depth commentary
- See top Santa Barbara attractions, and also venture beyond the tourist trail
- A private tour offers a fully flexible and personalized way to explore
What's Included
- Guided Tour, historical photos
- Parking Fees
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
In front of the Church.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 08/06/2021 - 23/05/2027
Monday - Friday : 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday : 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Itinerary
1
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
820 Santa Barbara St (Pass By)
2
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
112 E De La Guerra St
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
802 Anacapa St
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
28 E De La Guerra St (Pass By)
5
City Hall
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Casa de la Guerra
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
El Paseo Building
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
The Historic La Arcada Courtyard
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Santa Barbara Public Library (Pass By)
The Granada Theatre (Pass By)
10
Arlington Theatre
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
11
Alameda Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
13
Santa Barbara Main Post Office
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
14
122 E Canon Perdido St
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lobero Theatre (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 61 reviews
Diana_M, Mar 2026
Tour was very informative and enjoyable, and went at a comfortable pace. If you want to know about the history of Santa Barbara, this is the tour for you.
CHRISTOPHER_Q, Mar 2026
Sully is knowledgeable and interesting who has skills in describing the history of the area with enthusiasm
Cindy_B, Jan 2026
Sully leads a wonderful tour of Santa Barbara. His expansive knowledge of California and Santa Barbara history is astounding, and his enthusiasm and passion for this history keeps you engaged and amazed. We saw some hidden away architectural elements of Santa Barbara that are so beautiful, as well as the fantastic major architectural elements of the city. Sully’s insights added so much and he helped us see details that we would never have known. We highly recommend.
Lennie_C, Jun 2025
Sully is a young man with incredible knowledge about the history of Santa Barbara. I would put him up against old timers and historians a like. He has studied antique books and consulted professionals. He is engaging and genuinely loves sharing the interesting details and stories that have shaped Santa Barbara’s past. We loved our time with him and learned so much. I kind of wish he had had a hand-out to share with us at the end. He covered a lot of great info I want to remember. Sully’s passion is Santa Barbara, it’s past and its future… It was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for a wonderful tour!
Mike, Sept 2024
This was a very interesting and informative tour. Sully knows everything about the history and architecture of Santa Barbara. We saw sites we would never have come across on our own.
Sona_A, Aug 2024
Our guide Sully was very knowledgeable about the region's history and historical buildings. He was kind and flexible to our "demands"/needs. Had good suggestions for restaurants and suggestions and recommendations for future trips. Although we covered quite a bit of historical buildings, I would have loved to see more of the colorful and whimsical buildings which Santa Barbara is known for.
It was interesting, informative. Thank you.
Astrid_B, Aug 2024
Sullivan Israel is passionate about the history of Santa Barbara and his tour brings the past to life! He is personable, engaging and endlessly knowledgeable and the tour is a must for visitors to Santa Barbara!
Rebecca_J, May 2024
My tour guide, Sully Israel, wove a tapestry of interesting stories from the very beginning of Santa Barbara’s cradle of civilization all the way to the current growing pains it is facing today. The walking experience was easy, stimulating and fun to be standing right in front of the buildings that housed the people who tamed this inconvenient wilderness, loaded with roaming grizzlies and mountain lions…. and no harbor, which meant the only way to get there was to walk (with courage).
Denice_C, Apr 2024
Sully was a passionate historian that provided great true stories that enlightened us all.
His academic background in engineering gave more indepth information.
Maricar_K, Mar 2024
My 13 year old son and I enjoyed the tour with adult. He is so informative and is so passionate about history and architecture in Santa Barbara. Love all his stories and anecdotes as well as follow up recommendations on where to eat and other places to visit in the city. My son was fully engaged and asked Sully a few questions. I learned so much about the history of California and appreciate the beautiful architecture around Santa Barbara. The court house was simply stunning. We went on a Sunday which was quieter in the courthouse. Highly recommend this tour!
Ellen_Q, Mar 2024
Sully is a terrific guide. He gave great info on Santa Barbara history and architecture. His love for the city and its history really shines.
Anna_M, Feb 2024
The tour was really enjoyable and filled with interesting stories about the city historial places. It was great hearing about Santa Barbara’s architecture and Sully was a very entertaining guide.
Michelle_T, Jan 2024
Our walking tour of Santa Barbara with Sully was outstanding! Sully is not only a walking encyclopedia of facts and interesting information about the history and people of the city, region and state, but he makes it all come alive with his wonderful story telling abilities. We have experienced many guided walking tours throughout the world and Sully is among the best.
Chris_C, Jan 2024
Sully is the most knowledgeable person of Santa Barbara history I have ever met. We learned so much even after living here over 40 years. He made everything so interesting and went at a pace that was comfortable for us. Highly recommend!
Michael_H, Dec 2023
We have always wanted to go to Santa Barbara, but never had the chance until recently. We booked this walking tour with Sully and he did a fantastic job. We are definitely glad we did it and would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the history of the area.
Brian_B, May 2023
The tour was more than we expected. Sully was extraordinarily knowledgeable and provided not only a great historical view of Santa Barbara but answered our many questions about the history, culture and food past and present. Highly recommend the tour to anyone willing to have a beautiful Santa Barbara experience. Our family even took Sully's recommendation for dinner and had a wonderful dining experience as well.. Our family will do this again!
Donald_C, Jan 2023
Sully gives a enthusiastic and great historical and architectural tour of Santa Barbara. He has a tremendous knowledge of the history of CA, SB and the area. Showed us parts of SB we would have never found; history hidden in a modern town. Sully adapted tour to our time limitations and areas of interest. Tour is recommended for all visitors and even residents who are interested in the history of their town.
Gyrgy_N, Jul 2022
Getting to see the remains of the old buildings interlaced with the modern counterparts while listening to stories.
Sully knew everything about the history of the town. We got many many interesting informations.
Elizabeth_H, Jun 2022
Sullivan is a great narrator with deep knowledge and curiosity of his native city. This tour brought history to life, while weaving through the oldest parts of Santa Barbara on foot. Interesting and well paced. We took our 12 and 9 year olds on this tour and they enjoyed it too - bring a snack for the halfway mark and a bottle of water. We definitely saw and learned things that felt off the beaten path and would highly recommend.
Pamela_J, Apr 2022
Sully Israel is an incredible tour guide. He is passionate about the history of this area -- he loves to scour antiquarian bookstores for old images, maps, paintings of the area which he includes in the tour. He makes the characters, the history come alive-- it is almost as if you come to know some of the folks from long ago. Sully adapts the tour to the questions, interests and. capacity of his guests. I have been on many historical tours in my travels, but this is truly among the best experiences ever.
Chelsea_H, Mar 2022
Sullivan was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable and gave us a great experience on the tour. We ran overtime because we enjoyed his company so much and he had so much information to give us. It was very personalized. Thank you so much!
SueLang, Nov 2021
Learning little known interesting facts about Santa Barbara history. Tour guide engaging and keep our interest for several hours.
Clare_N, Sept 2021
Sullivan is very knowledgeable about the history of Santa Barbara and the architecture. He gave a us a very thorough and interesting tour. The presidio and the historic adobe homes were a highlight for us. We highly recommend his tour.
From $99.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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