The ORIGINAL Downtown Santa Barbara Walking Food & Drink Tour

4.9 (553 reviews) 3–4 hours Free cancellation Skip the line

out of 5

553 reviews

4.9

Supporting other local businesses! — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

We love what we do — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Eat and drink your way through downtown Santa Barbara with a local—no planning required. We’ll take you to a mix of favorite spots, with generous tastings, a little day drinking, and just enough storytelling along the way.

Founded over 10 years ago from a local’s love of Santa Barbara, great food, and bringing people together—without the stress of planning it all yourself.

You’ll experience the city alongside a knowledgeable local host—not a scripted tour guide. Group sizes are kept smaller for a more personal, social experience.

We can accommodate most food allergies with advance notice. Private and corporate tours are available. Tastings and locations may vary slightly based on availability.

Wine Tastings Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Walking Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours Small Group Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 3–4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 6 people
People per booking: 1–4
Guide: English
Operated by: Taste Santa Barbara Food Tours

Ages: Adults (2–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A local host (more like a knowledgeable friend than a traditional guide)
Included: Alcoholic beverages: A curated wine tasting is included (typically 3–4 wines), plus one additional beverage (non-alcoholic or alcoholic)
Included: Lunch: All food tastings are included (enough for a light meal)
Included: All local taxes

Not included

Not included: Gratuities for your host (optional, but appreciated)
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

El Paseo Building

40 min Admission included

El Paseo is more than a building—it’s a vibe and a mini neighborhood tucked just off State Street.

As you walk through, you’ll find charming pathways that open into a beautiful courtyard surrounded by local businesses, including wine tasting rooms, restaurants, and historic buildings dating back to the early 1920s.

This is one of our tasting stops (often the first), where you’ll enjoy a guided wine tasting (typically 3–4 wines) along with a shared grazing box, served just for your group.
Casa de la Guerra

Passing by

We pass by the historic Casa de la Guerra while sharing a few light stories about Santa Barbara’s past—just enough to bring the surroundings to life without slowing down the experience.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Passing by

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city, known for its architecture and views.

When timing and access allow, we may step inside to take a look. If not, we’ll still pass through the area—and you’re welcome to return after the tour, since it’s located between our start and end points.

Please note that on weekdays, security screening is required to enter the courthouse. If you have a medical device such as a diabetic pump, let security know and they’ll guide you through the appropriate screening.
The Granada Theatre

5 min

The Granada Theatre is one of downtown Santa Barbara’s most iconic landmarks—and the tallest building in the area.

We pause here to take in its architecture and history, and share a bit about its role in the local arts scene. While we don’t go inside during the tour, it’s still a standout stop along the way.
Arlington Theatre

15 min

We pass by the iconic Arlington Theatre, a well-known Santa Barbara landmark and often the opening night venue for the SBIFF (Santa Barbara International Film Festival).

It’s a quick pass-through as we head to our next stop, with a light story or two along the way—kept fun and easy, not a history lesson.
The Historic La Arcada Courtyard

15 min

Downtown Santa Barbara is full of hidden walkways and arcades, and when timing allows, we like to weave through a few of them along the way.

As we pass through La Arcada Plaza, we’ll point out local restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and small shops tucked into these spaces—along with fun details like the famous window washer statue, the Benjamin Franklin statue, dolphin sculptures, and even some surprisingly adorable turtles.

It’s a mix of local spots, unexpected finds, and little details you might miss on your own.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Passing by

El Presidio is one of the oldest historic sites in Santa Barbara and part of how the city first took shape.

If our route allows, we’ll pass by and share a quick bit about how it connects to the Santa Barbara Mission—just enough to give context without turning it into a full history lesson.
Santa Barbara

2 hours

Throughout the tour, we weave on and off State Street, the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, as we move between stops.

We usually meet and end right on State Street—so it’s easy to keep the day going, grab another drink, or head wherever you’re off to next.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please plan to meet your guide in front of the stores 33 jewels and Bryant & Sons. They are on the State Street side of El Paseo Shopping Center across from the mall.

End point

We rotate the end of the tour. It will end within 6 blocks of the start location.

Using your ticket

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your scheduled start time

Meet your guide at the designated meeting location (details provided after booking)

Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended

Tell your guide your name and/or show your mobile ticket (QR code) to your guide upon arrival

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note that restaurants and tastings are subject to change based on availability
This is a walking tour; comfortable mobility is recommended
Most stops are wheelchair accessible, but not all surfaces and locations are fully accessible
Food allergies or aversions can often be accommodated—please notify us in advance
Tours begin and end in different locations
Tours run approximately 3.5 hours
Children are welcome—parents know best if the experience is a good fit
Service animals are welcome; pets are not permitted on food tours
Tastings are included and typically provide enough food for a satisfying midday meal
If anyone in your group has mobility or health concerns, a private tour may be a better fit
Monday tours are priced a bit lower and may have a slightly lighter food lineup—but don’t worry, there are still plenty of tastings along the way
Not recommended for travelers with serious medical conditions