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

Explore our promoted experiences

Santa Barbara, California

Self Guided Walking Tour of Solvang: Discover the Danish Charm

from $10

Santa Barbara Highlights Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Santa Barbara, California

3.3

(7)

Santa Barbara Highlights Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

from $45

Per group

Santa Barbara Ghost Tours "Paranormal Pairing" Wine Tasting &Tour

Santa Barbara, California

4.7

(58)

Santa Barbara Ghost Tours "Paranormal Pairing" Wine Tasting &Tour

from $105

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

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 Park
123 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.

06/08/2021 - 04/12/2027
Monday - Friday : 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday : 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Itinerary

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

820 Santa Barbara St (Pass By)

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

112 E De La Guerra St

7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

802 Anacapa St

7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

28 E De La Guerra St (Pass By)

City Hall

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Casa de la Guerra

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

El Paseo Building

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Historic La Arcada Courtyard

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Santa Barbara Public Library (Pass By)

The Granada Theatre (Pass By)

Arlington Theatre

7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Alameda Park

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Santa Barbara Main Post Office

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 61 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Tour was very informative...

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.

Great Tour

CHRISTOPHER_Q, Mar 2026

Sully is knowledgeable and interesting who has skills in describing the history of the area with enthusiasm

Excellent Santa Barbara Tour

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.

A Captivating Walking Tour Through Santa Barbara’s History

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!

Fun and interesting tour about the history of Santa Barbara

Mike, Sep 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.

Interesting and informative historical tour/

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.

Great history and architecture tour

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!

History of SB Sully Style

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).

Passionate historian

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.

Informative, passionate about history and architecture

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!

Santa Barbara gem

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.

The tour was really...

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.

Fun and interesting walking tour!

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.

So interesting - even for locals!

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!

Great job Sully!

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.

Extraordinary Santa Barbara experience to provide current and future trips!

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!

Must Experience Historical and Architectural History

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.

Great historical experience

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.

Interesting and well-paced

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.

A Magnigifcent Historical Experience NOT TO BE MISSED

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.

Fabulous experience!!!

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!

Fantastic tour

SueLang, Nov 2021

Learning little known interesting facts about Santa Barbara history. Tour guide engaging and keep our interest for several hours.

Santa Barbara history.

Clare_N, Sep 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.