Dreaming of your Santa Barbara getaway? You’ve landed in the right place!
Santa Barbara’s reputation as the “American Riviera” is well-earned. Its blend of Spanish architecture, coastal views, and laid-back charm makes it one of California’s most effortlessly beautiful escapes. We’ve spent a lot of time in this sunny seaside city, soaking up everything from the taco scene downtown to the salt spray off the harbor. And every time we visit, we find something new to love.
Whether you’re here for the beaches, food, or outdoor adventure, we’ve handpicked the best tours and activities that show off the best of Santa Barbara, no guesswork needed. Let’s dive into your ultimate coastal guide.
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Santa Barbara is this trolley tour! This made it simple to explore the city, see the best sights, and learn a thing or two along the way.
Things to do in Santa Barbara, California
1. Experience the best of Santa Barbara’s sights and scenery on an easy e-bike tour
Tour Details
Cover more ground without spending the whole day in a car or sweating your way across town with this electric bike tour! You’ll have the freedom to explore everything from downtown to the coastline, without the usual parking drama or uphill battles.
Gliding along Santa Barbara’s palm-lined boardwalk feels like something out of a movie. You’ll take your electric beach cruiser around the colorful Funk Zone, with art murals and restaurants everywhere, and make stops at iconic viewpoints for unbeatable city views.
One of the best parts of this tour is the historical component. While Santa Barbara is fresh, modern, and beautifully kept, it also has a very layered history. The El Presidio de Santa Barbara portion of this ride will highlight Old Chinatown, the old fort, along with other buildings you wouldn’t normally encounter wandering around on your own.
There are so many photo ops on this cruise through the city! The guides are super knowledgeable about Santa Barbara and ensure you’ll get plenty of time to get those Instagram-worthy snapshots along the Pacific Coastline.
Whether you want a private experience or prefer the vibe of a small group, this tour gives you both options—and either way, you’ll get the best intro to Santa Barbara you could ask for.
2. See the city’s top historic sights on a trolley tour
Tour Details
Our first time in Santa Barbara, we just wandered around and explored on foot. Big mistake! We saw some cute neighborhoods and ocean views, sure, but we totally missed the bigger picture. This 90-minute trolley tour saved us hours the second time around and gave us a way better intro to the city.
The Santa Barbara Trolley Tour is basically your all-access pass to the “American Riviera.” It let us roll past highlights like the Old Mission, with its twin bell towers framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains, and the Spanish-Colonial courthouse that cost over $1.3 million USD to build back in 1929!
Stearns Wharf came into view, salty breeze and all, and we cruised right by East Beach where locals were out playing volleyball like it was their job. The giant blue whale skeleton outside the Museum of Natural History was another unexpected highlight. And don’t even get me started on the celeb homes tucked away near Butterfly Beach.
Our guide wasn’t just reciting facts, he told stories, cracked jokes, and gave us a list of spots to come back to later (including a taco stand I still think about to this day).
For first-time visitors, this tour is the best starting point. It’ll help you get your bearings, avoid the tourist traps, and figure out exactly where you want to explore next.
3. Visit Mission Santa Barbara
Known as the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission Santa Barbara is a beautifully preserved 1786 landmark and one of the most iconic sights in the city. You’ll get a peep at it if you join a trolley tour, but you can’t miss the incredible inner layers!.
Admission tickets are only $17 USD per adult and include a self-guided tour of the church, historic cemetery, mausoleum, and its museum of artwork and artifacts. Visiting hours are Monday-Saturday 9:30 am – 5 pm (Sundays from 12:30 pm to 5 pm), with last tickets sold at 4 pm!
Make sure you avoid times when mass is in session so you can admire the cathedral and snag some photos of the gorgeous Spanish architecture.
Perched above the ocean and at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, it’s one of the best views in Santa Barbara!
4. Take a tour of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse
This Spanish Colonial Revival landmark is one of the most stunning public buildings in California, with tiled staircases, colorful murals, and hand-painted ceilings. It’s still a working courthouse, but much of it is open for visitors to explore!
We recommend taking a Docent-led tour to gain specific insight into the courthouse’s history and lifespan. These tours are free with no reservation required! They begin in the mural room on the second floor at 10:30 AM and 2 PM, Monday through Friday. Make sure to check their website here for any holiday closures.
After wandering the intricacies of the indoors, take a moment to relax in the Sunken Garden. The manicured lawn in front of the courthouse is framed by palm trees and mountain views, making it one of the prettiest picnic and photo spots in downtown Santa Barbara.
Once you’ve gained your second wind, climb the courthouse clock tower for sweeping 360° views of red-tiled rooftops, the Pacific Ocean, and the Santa Ynez Mountains. It’s easily one of the best free viewpoints in the city.
5. Explore the Santa Barbara coastline on a kayak tour
Tour Details
We’d seen Santa Barbara from the streets and the bike paths—but from the water? That was something else entirely. This kayaking tour gave us a front-row seat to the rugged coastline, with the kind of views you just can’t get on land.
We launched right from the harbor, slipped into surprisingly stable kayaks, and paddled out under the warm sun with the Santa Ynez Mountains in the distance. Our guide, Tyler, was knowledgeable and super chill, and made the whole experience feel welcoming and fun.
He pointed out different boats in the marina, shared stories about the city, and got us up close with a few curious sea lions lounging near the docks. At one point, we even spotted a pod of dolphins cruising by in the distance. It felt like we had front-row seats to a private wildlife show!
You can choose a private paddle or go with a small group, and the guides adjust the pace based on your comfort. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who’s kayaked before, this feels more like a relaxing coastal adventure than a workout. We took it slow, soaked up the views, and never once felt rushed.
Watching sea lions bob beside our kayaks and dolphins glide past as the mountains rise in the background is something we’ll never forget. It’s no wonder this tour has so many 5-star reviews – it showed us a side of Santa Barbara we couldn’t have seen any other way!
6. Explore the waterfront
The Santa Barbara Waterfront is a must-see. Wandering around this famous coastline is nothing short of witnessing a postcard in action. Start on the Cabrillo Bike Path by bicycle or on foot. Along the path, you can cut off to three different beaches depending on how you want to spend your day.
East Beach is ideal for renting bikes, playing volleyball, or having plenty of space to soak up the sunshine. It’s an iconic Santa Barbara stretch with wide, palm-lined shores. Leadbetter Beach feels a bit more local. It’s tucked just west of the harbor, usually less windy, and popular for beginner surfing and mellow sunset walks. If you want a more relaxed, laid-back vibe, this is your spot.
Just a few minutes away in Montecito, Butterfly Beach is known for its calm atmosphere and golden-hour glow. It’s quieter and more refined than the main beaches, making it one of the best locations to watch the sun dip below the Pacific.
If the beaches aren’t calling your name, explore Stearns Wharf! It is California’s oldest working wooden wharf, with ocean views, seafood spots, and views of the classic red-tiled rooftops and mountains. West of Stearns Wharf, you’ll find Santa Barbara Harbor. It’s lined with sailboats, fishing vessels, and waterfront restaurants. It also happens to be one of the prettiest marina settings in California.
Finally, you can catch a sunset at the waterfront, grab seafood at Brophy Bros., or book a sailing or whale-watching tour for a different perspective of the coastline.
7. Find the best tacos in Santa Barbara
Tour Details
Landing in a new city hungry and overwhelmed with options is a classic travel dilemma. You want to eat like a local, not fall into a tourist trap, but how do you know which places are actually worth it? This private taco tour solved that problem for us in the best way possible. We got five hand-picked taco stops, two drinks, and a local guide who knew the area (and the salsa) inside and out.
Each stop brought something different to the table—literally. We sampled everything from shrimp to birria to mushroom tacos (surprisingly, one of our favorites).
Two of the taquerias served up ice-cold drinks, turning the whole experience into the most relaxed and delicious progressive dinner we’ve ever had. One stop even came with a story about how the place started as a family-run taco stand decades ago. We could taste the love in every bite!
Our guide, Alex, was the perfect host. He was super knowledgeable, fun, and incredibly thoughtful when it came to dietary restrictions. He peppered the walk with fun facts and stories that made the city feel alive, and the walking between taco joints made us feel like each bite was a reward.
By the end, we were stuffed, happy, and sent off with a sweet little thank-you gift from the tour—a nice local touch that made it all the more memorable. This was by far the tastiest way to experience downtown Santa Barbara!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
8. Learn how to surf with a private instructor
Tour Details
Scrolling past “learn to surf” tours sometimes feels daunting—what an involved skill and sport! But honestly? Santa Barbara is the perfect place to give this private surf lesson a go.
The lesson is capped at just two people, which means you’ll have your instructor’s full attention the entire time. Regardless of your skill level, your instructors will ensure you have a winning experience! They are experts, thorough in ensuring guest safety and in creating an encouraging, relaxed experience.
After meeting at the surf van just south of the city, you’ll get suited up, grab your longboards, and hit the sand. Within minutes of paddling out, you’ll be catching real waves!
The 90-minute session flies by, and by the end, you’re sure to be salty, smiling, and shocked by how much improvement occurs. Everything, from the wetsuits to the sandy-bottomed beach, is set up to make it as fun and safe as possible for beginners.
Let this lesson turn your “maybe someday” into a highlight of the trip. If surfing’s been on your bucket list, trust us—this is where to cross it off!
9. Discover State Street Promenade
Stroll the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara’s entertainment and retail district at the State Street Promenade. This 10-block, pedestrian walkway is filled with shops, cafes, and the pretty Spanish-style architecture you’ll be well acquainted with by the end of your trip.
There is a great mix of fashion, homeware, gift shops, and independent businesses along State Street. We especially loved Kariella, a fun clothing boutique, and Moon River, a wonderfully eclectic gift shop that’s worth poking your head into.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the promenade comes alive with the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market. You can browse over 50 local booths for fresh produce and homemade goods!
Meal options along State Street are not only delicious but aesthetically pleasing. You’ll have your pick of outdoor patio dining. Satellite Santa Barbara, Mizza, and the Santa Barbara Public Market are some local favorites.
After indulging in various fares, head over to Beau, the thoughtfully curated wine bar. Think 1920’s style and lighting with a storytelling twist.
Beau is centered around a progressive narrative from the journals of a fictional character. It’s a fun vibe and a totally unique way to end your evening.
10. Explore downtown Santa Barbara on a food & drink tour
Tour Details
Let’s be honest—trying to plan your own food tour in a new city can be overwhelming. You might pick one or two great spots, but you’ll probably miss a few local gems you didn’t even know existed. That’s exactly why this guided food tour of downtown Santa Barbara should not be missed.
This tour blends the best of everything—bites from five or six unique eateries, two drink tastings, and a fun, casual walk through the heart of town.
To begin, the tour kicks things off with a flight of local beverages and a grazing box in the charming El Paseo courtyard, followed by stops for tacos, noodles, pizza, and even dessert (Turkish delight, anyone?).
Each tasting feels thoughtful and local, not touristy, which is always a plus!
While cuisine is the focal point, this tour packs in a ton of insight on the history of local landmarks. Listen to stories about the Granada and Arlington Theatre, El Paseo, Casa de la Guerra, and La Arcada Courtyard while munching on the local fare.
You’ll leave this tour feeling full, happy, and with a whole new appreciation for the city’s flavor.
11. Hike to Inspiration Point
Looking for the best views in Santa Barbara? Look no further than Inspiration Point!
Just minutes from downtown, this moderate 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) round-trip hike climbs into the Santa Ynez Mountains within Los Padres National Forest. It rewards hikers with panoramic views over Santa Barbara, the coastline, and the Channel Islands on clear days.
We recommend bringing plenty of water and sunscreen, especially on warm afternoons. There is a decent amount of shade on the ascent up until the last half mile on this trail, but it can get quite hot in the summer months!
Shoes with great hiking tread are a must. The first mile of the trail is paved, but the rest of the way you’ll encounter classic dirt terrain and possible water in the creek, depending on the season.
Plan on spending about 2-3 hours hiking. To avoid crowds and the classic Californian dry heat, arrive early to start your day with a solid workout!
12. Soar over the Santa Ynez Valley on a zipline
Tour Details
If you’ve ever looked out over a gorgeous landscape and thought, “I want to fly over that,” this ziplining tour makes it happen. We didn’t just see the Santa Ynez Valley—we zipped straight across it on three of the fastest, longest zip-lines in California.
We started by riding up the mountainside in a rugged 4×4 Highline Hummer, climbing over 1,000 feet (305 meters) through open fields and protea flower groves with panoramic views. By the time we reached the top, the valley opened up beneath us. It was the kind of view that makes your heart race before you even step off the platform.
Once we were geared up and briefed by our guide (who was both safety-focused and seriously fun), it was go time. Zipline one is the longest zipline in all of California, and taking that first leap felt like launching off the edge of the world. The rush was unreal!
We were flying—laughing, yelling, and soaking in the views as we zipped between canyons. Each line got us grinning more than the last, and the small group size meant no long waits, no crowds, and maximum fun.
We loved this tour, and it’s clear we weren’t the only ones. Check out the 5-star reviews here to see why this adrenaline-packed ride is one of Santa Ynez’s top-rated adventures.
13. Explore the Funk Zone
Yes, it’s called the Funk Zone!
It’s basically an entertainment district packed with cocktail bars, craft breweries, wine tasting rooms, and live music venues, all tucked into a compact, walkable neighborhood just off the waterfront.
We absolutely loved the vibe here because it feels genuinely local rather than touristy.
A few of our top picks are Validation Ale if you love craft beer (like us!) and Pearl Social Cocktail Club for cocktails, live music, and DJs on most evenings.
If neither of these jump out at you, just go for a wander through the Funk Zone. You’ll definitely come across something that pulls you in (that’s half the fun of it!).
14. Take a private wine tour to exclusive local wineries
Tour Details
Wine tasting is great—until you’re crammed into a packed room, sipping quickly, and trying to hear over a crowd. So, why not book this small-group wine tour through Santa Barbara’s private vineyard estates?
This tour is the perfect setting for couples or groups of up to six who prefer a more easy-going wine tasting experience.
From the moment your guide picks you up in a luxury Mercedes, the day feels like a VIP experience. You’ll have a relaxing, scenic drive out to wine country with opportunities to stop and grab a few photos.
Upon arrival, you’ll visit three intimate, family-owned vineyards. Spend time walking through rows of vines, sitting for private tastings (often with the winemakers themselves), and sampling an impressive range of small-production wines.
None of the wineries you’ll encounter are open to the general public, making it an incredibly peaceful and unique experience. The one-on-one attention really makes each pour more meaningful, and the unhurried pace gives you time to really savor it all.
After an incredible afternoon of tasting, you’ll dine on a fresh, organic lunch customized to your preferences.
15. Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo
Zoos are pretty common in major cities, but the Santa Barbara Zoo is quite special! You’ll get to enjoy unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains while observing everything from lions to flamingos.
One of the coolest parts of the Santa Barbara Zoo is that it’s home to more than 40 flamingos! I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had a chance to see many of these pretty-in-pink birds in action.
We enjoyed how compact and easy this zoo is to explore. It’s consistently ranked among the top small zoos in the country. Ticket prices are affordable at $29.95 to $39.95 USD, and it’s a great option when visiting with family and little ones!
Related Read: See how to fit it all in with our 2-day Santa Barbara itinerary, a simple plan for experiencing the city’s top sights, beaches, and food spots without feeling rushed.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara blends laid-back beach vibes with upscale charm, making it one of California’s dreamiest coastal getaways. Whether you want to splurge on luxury, stay cozy in a mid-range hotel, or keep things affordable, there’s a spot here for you.
To help you find the perfect place, we’ve put together the best hotels in Santa Barbara, so all you have to do is book and enjoy!
Luxury – $$$
Located steps from the beach in Santa Barbara’s buzzing Funk Zone, Hotel Californian is a 5-star stunner that fuses Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with chic modern design. With a rooftop pool, indulgent spa, and beautifully styled rooms—some with sea views and balconies—this hotel is made for luxury-loving travelers. Guests rave about the stellar service, top-tier dining, and unbeatable walkability to downtown, the pier, and wine tasting rooms.
Rates typically range from $800 to $1,000+ USD per night, depending on room type and season. Check availability and book your luxury stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
The Best Western Plus Santa Barbara is a fantastic mid-range choice nestled in a peaceful neighborhood just minutes from downtown. This charming hotel offers spacious rooms with thoughtful amenities like mini-fridges, coffee makers, and even kitchenettes in select units. Guests love the heated outdoor pool, lush garden setting, and the popular on-site Live Oak Café, which serves fresh, local cuisine all day. With free parking, friendly service, and a relaxing atmosphere, it’s a comfortable base for exploring Santa Barbara.
Rates range from around $230 to $400 USD per night. Head over to Booking.com to see availability for your travel dates.
Budget – $
For a budget-friendly stay in Santa Barbara, Oasis Inn and Suites is a solid choice! Located on State Street, this relaxed motel offers clean, spacious rooms (some with kitchenettes) and a peaceful garden setting. Guests love the outdoor pool, free parking, and in-room amenities like a microwave, coffee maker, and mini fridge. It’s close to shops and restaurants, and just a short drive from downtown and the beach.
Rates start around $130 USD for a two-double room. Visit Booking.com to make your reservation.
For more options, see all of Santa Barbara’s hotels listed here!
Renting a Car in the USA
The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic national parks. While public transportation exists in major cities, renting a car is often the best way to explore the country’s wide-open spaces and hidden gems.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find the right vehicle for your needs, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the USA
What You Need to Rent a Car in the USA
Ready to hit the road and discover the freedom of exploring the USA on your own terms?
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Thanks for reading!
If you’re looking for the ideal California getaway, Santa Barbara will bring just that! We had such a lovely time relaxing on the beach, sipping on locally made wine, ziplining, e-biking, and eating. There is seriously so much to do, we will definitely be back!
Before you go, check out our other USA blogs! We’ve been all over the country and love sharing our favorite places and best travel tips with fellow adventurers. Here are a few related blogs to get you started:
How to Spend THREE DAYS in Los Angeles: The Best 3-Day Itinerary
10 Best Things to do in San Francisco, California
