Top Santa Barbara Classes & Workshops

Here at Menchaca Chocolates we'd like to think we are adventurers continuing to re-define an ancient Pod found 150 miles from the equator. So we decided that to truly understand this magical bean you have to experience it through all your senses: taste, touch, smell, cracking and visual transformation. We developed these Chocolate & Art Workshops to do just that. You will get to know the possibilities and have a chance to make a custom unique Chocolate product and if you choose, design a label or Box to package it in. You can also learn exactly how we make our chocolate in Mr. Menchaca's Micro- batch Chocolate Factory Tour!

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.

Tea is a living tradition, a sensory experience, and a moment of connection. We offer a guided tasting that invites you to explore tea with presence and curiosity. You’ll sample a flight of three premium teas, carefully chosen from white, green, oolong, black, or puerh. Each is prepared with precision, allowing you to experience its evolving aroma, flavor, and energy. You’ll learn the history and origins of these teas, their health benefits, and the nuances that distinguish one from another. This is not a rushed tasting or a casual sip-and-go. It’s an invitation to engage with tea fully—to notice the way it feels in your hands, the way the flavors shift with each infusion, the quiet clarity it brings. Set in a rustic tea house surrounded by a wild and intentional garden, this experience offers a pause from the noise of daily life. Whether you’re new to tea or a longtime drinker, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for its craft, culture, and quiet power.

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.)

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.

Embark on a 2.5-hour private sidecar winery tour through Santa Barbara, an elegant and stylish way to explore the beautiful wine region. A unique fleet of tandem sidecars is perfect for couples or friends looking for something fun and adventurous—all you have to do buckle up, grab your loved ones and let's go. You'll have exclusive access to two locations as part of this tour; indulge in luxury while discovering what Santa Barbara has to offer.

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.

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.

For travelers seeking a peaceful and meaningful way to experience Santa Barbara, this guided Cha Dao tea ceremony offers a moment to slow down, reconnect, and be fully present. Hosted in a serene setting, your experience begins with an introduction to the art of Cha Dao — the “Way of Tea” — where mindfulness, simplicity, and presence come together through the ritual of tea. Your tea master brings over a decade of experience serving tea around the world, along with a rich creative background as a multi-instrumentalist, poet, and world traveler. Whether it’s your first tea ceremony or a familiar practice, guests are gently guided into a calm and reflective atmosphere that invites stillness, curiosity, and gratitude. Many visitors leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected to the moment. After the ceremony, there will be time to relax, reflect, and share insights from the experience together — creating space for both personal integration and meaningful connection.

For all of those who have dreamed of joining the circus or flying, this is a dream come true. A rare program where anyone ages 4 and up will step out of our comfort zone and have a new exciting experience. People can’t believe how far they are able to grow and progress within a two hour experience.

Indulge in a sensory and creative experience on this 3-hour tour in Santa Barbara. Discover estate wines while learning to paint with professional artists guiding you through creating your own masterpiece. Set against the stunning backdrop of a vineyard, enjoy painting with newfound friends while making your way around savory sips and treats - now that's an afternoon well spent.