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Cultural & heritage · Santa Barbara

Top 10 cultural & heritage things to do in Santa Barbara

Heritage walks, museum days, temple complexes, and the kind of guides who explain why a place matters rather than reciting dates. The cultural side of Santa Barbara, paced for actual seeing.

  1. Solvang food and culture tour with local tastings, Santa Barbara1

    1. Solvang food and culture tour with local tastings

    5.0· 63 reviews· 2 hours

    Three hours walking tour — taste award-winning sandwiches, artisan Japanese dishes, authentic pastries, and local wines while learning the town’s history from a local guide.

    The guide was excellent, and the food was outstanding. It was a truly wonderful experience.hollyfujie
  2. Electric bike tour of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara2

    2. Electric bike tour of Santa Barbara

    5.0· 570 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Two hours of guided cycling—enjoy local bike paths, historical sites, and scenic waterfront views on premium electric bikes.

    I had an excellent time with Alex. He was very friendly and knowledgeable, which made the tour enjoyable. I highly recommend it. Two hours felt perfect, and we covered a great deal of distance.Safari598072
  3. Solvang ghost hunting and history tour, Santa Barbara3

    3. Solvang ghost hunting and history tour

    4.9· 314 reviews· 1.8 hours

    Two hours of ghost hunting through Solvang — use EMF meters and dowsing rods while exploring haunted sites and local folklore.

    John provided an entertaining experience, and the tools for paranormal activity were a fun bonus. We've participated in several ghost tours, but this one was truly unique.Katie_M
  1. Santa Barbara food tour in the Funk Zone, Santa Barbara4

    4. Santa Barbara food tour in the Funk Zone

    4.9· 18 reviews· 3 hours

    Three hours on foot — explore the Funk Zone’s top eateries with curated tastings of local food, wine, beer, and sake, guided by an expert.

    Our team of 15 participated in a food tour in the Funk Zone and it was an incredible experience. We visited several trendy food spots while learning about the history of this unique 13-block area near the ocean. Our guide Maddie was outstanding, and the headphones allowed us to clearly hear her insightful commentary. It was a great opportunity to explore and connect with each other at five different locations. I highly recommend this activity.K9183OStaylort
  2. Wildlife kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor, Santa Barbara5

    5. Wildlife kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor

    4.9· 190 reviews· 2 hours

    Two hours of kayaking led by local guides — enjoy marine wildlife and view Santa Barbara’s coastline from the water.

    Our kayaking tour with Adam as our guide was an outstanding experience. He was friendly and knowledgeable, making it both enjoyable and educational. We appreciated learning more about Santa Barbara while on the water. Highly recommend!Ellie_T
  3. Taco walking tour in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara6

    6. Taco walking tour in Santa Barbara

    4.9· 241 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Two and a half hours walking tour (1.5 miles) visiting 5 taco spots, featuring local tacos, craft beer, and margaritas with a local guide.

    Kaleb was a delightful and entertaining guide, making the experience enjoyable overall.E9925QIkarenr
  4. All-inclusive Santa Ynez wine tour from Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara7

    7. All-inclusive Santa Ynez wine tour from Santa Barbara

    4.8· 221 reviews· 5 hours

    A full-day tour by luxury van — visit multiple partner wineries in Santa Ynez Valley, with wine tastings and a knowledgeable guide included.

    The wine stops were excellent, particularly the first one, but be sure to pace yourself. There are generous pours and enjoyable tastings. Our tour guide Johannes was exceptional, sharing valuable insights about Santa Barbara and the wineries, and he made a real effort to ensure we had a fantastic day.Leigh_A
  5. Two-hour pottery workshop and studio tour in Ojai, Santa Barbara8

    8. Two-hour pottery workshop and studio tour in Ojai

    4.8· 55 reviews· 2 hours

    Two hours observing and creating pottery at a studio in a fruit orchard, with options to finish pieces later.

    The pottery class for beginners was really enjoyable. You get to take home what you create, and glazing is available for an additional cost. You can either collect your pieces in a week or opt for them to be mailed to you.Paola_A
  6. Santa Ynez Valley small group wine tour, Santa Barbara9

    9. Santa Ynez Valley small group wine tour

    4.8· 144 reviews· 5 hours

    Five-hour guided tour, pickup at 10:30 AM — visit three artisan wineries with tasting fees and picnic lunch included, plus a special barrel room experience.

    Tom, our guide, was fantastic and really informative. He took us to some interesting wineries that we wouldn’t have found on our own. If you have a sensitive stomach, I recommend bringing along some light snacks like plain crackers.aurorashapiro
  7. Private historical and architectural walking tour of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara10

    10. Private historical and architectural walking tour of Santa Barbara

    4.8· 4 reviews· 3 hours

    Two to three hours on foot — explore Santa Barbara's history and architecture with a dedicated guide, featuring El Presidio, City Hall, and Granada Theatre.

    The walk is quite easy, and I enjoyed viewing impressive architecture and buildings. Having a private tour definitely added to the experience.allen_m

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