The ORIGINAL Downtown Santa Barbara Walking Food & Drink Tour

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.

1. 1

   El Paseo Building

   40 min

   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.

2. 2

   Casa de la Guerra

   Pass 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.

3. 3

   Santa Barbara County Courthouse

   Pass 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.

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

   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.

6. 6

   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.

7. 7

   El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

   Pass 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.

8. 8

   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.

• 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

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