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Luxury & private · Santa Barbara

Top 10 luxury & private things to do in Santa Barbara

Private cars, exclusive access, the kind of small group that doesn't share the experience with strangers. Premium tours through Santa Barbara for travellers whose calendar is the constraint, not the budget.

  1. Kayaking tour in Santa Barbara with experienced guides, Santa Barbara1

    1. Kayaking tour in Santa Barbara with experienced guides

    5.0· 438 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two-hour kayak excursion in Santa Barbara’s harbour — experience local wildlife, including seals and sea lions, with an expert guide.

    Our kayak adventure with Ryan was fantastic. He guided us through the harbor, highlighted local wildlife, and pointed out attractions from the water.Z4915LLdorothyh
  2. Small-group wine tour of private estates in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara2

    2. Small-group wine tour of private estates in Santa Barbara

    5.0· 294 reviews· 7 hours

    Approximately five hours with a maximum of seven guests — visit family-owned wineries and taste limited-release wines at private estates and vineyard properties.

    The wineries we explored, including Dafoe, McKinney, and Happy Canyon, were exceptional. The owners provided insightful presentations about their wine production processes. The wine was incredibly fresh and tasty. Our guide, Scott, was organized and easy to connect with.mercene_c
  3. Electric bike tour of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara3

    3. 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
  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. Taco walking tour in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara5

    5. 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
  3. Downtown Santa Barbara walking food and drink tour, Santa Barbara6

    6. Downtown Santa Barbara walking food and drink tour

    4.9· 552 reviews

    Three hours strolling downtown Santa Barbara with a local guide — generous tastings at beloved eateries and a relaxed vibe throughout.

    The food and drink options were abundant and diverse. The pace was just right, and Kirk was an outstanding host. Make sure to skip a meal beforehand, as you'll end up quite full.Kim_C
  4. Private electric boat cruise in Santa Barbara's harbor, Santa Barbara7

    7. Private electric boat cruise in Santa Barbara's harbor

    4.9· 38 reviews· 1 hours

    Two-hour private cruise on an all-electric boat for up to six people, with options for snacks and drinks, plus an experienced captain included.

    I arranged a boat ride for myself and some colleagues since we finally had a day off together. Our captain was punctual and extremely friendly. He allowed us to pick our own music and drinks, and he was very informative about the local marine life. The highlight for me was spotting dolphins; the captain graciously followed them, giving us plenty of time for pictures. I would absolutely do this again.araselya2026
  5. All-inclusive Santa Ynez wine tour from Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara8

    8. 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
  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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