There is so much to discover and see in Santa Barbara, not to mention its beautiful beaches and amazing weather, why not discover it all while sampling amazing food? Santa Barbara is definitely somewhere you’re going to want to take a food tour.
» If you have time think about booking a wine tour. Check out the 10 Best Santa Barbara Wine Tours to Book.
The city has a thriving food scene that blends fresh local ingredients with innovative culinary techniques to create a unique fusion of flavors. With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and food trucks, Santa Barbara offers an extensive range of dining options that cater to every palate. From seafood and Mexican cuisine to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, there is something for everyone.
I’ve hand-selected all the tours below for their uniqueness, great ratings and value for the price. There’s a range of tours available that will take you past historic buildings, to the Funk Zone ( a must visit), and you will see what makes Santa Barbara’s vibrant food scene.
Are you planning your trip to Santa Barbara?
If you’re traveling to Santa Barbara, ensure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time! Below are some of our top picks to help you plan!
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara:
- Hotel Californian (5-star luxury, pet friendly)
- Hotel Santa Barbara (3-star upscale hotel in a prime location)
- Palihouse (4-star boutique hotel)
Best Tours and Experiences in Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour (ride easy-to-use beach cruiser to see key landmarks)
- Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tour (three wineries, lunch and snacks included)
- Downtown Santa Barbara Food Tour (delicious food from 5 to 6 eateries.)
What Are Santa Barbara’s Iconic Foods?
Santa Barbara is known for its diverse culinary scene, featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a mix of international flavors. Keep an eye out for these foods and try them if you get a chance.
Tri-tip: Tri-tip is a flavorful cut of beef that’s seasoned with a dry rub and grilled over red oak wood. The cut of meat alone is very tender and is best when cooked on low heat and served medium rare. It was made popular in Santa Maria, California, in the 1950s when the Santa Maria rub was also created.
Seafood: Santa Barbara’s coastal location means that fresh seafood is plentiful, with local favorites including spiny lobster, spot prawns, ridgeback shrimp, crab, and white sea bass. Find these delicacies at any of the dozens of seafood restaurants throughout Santa Barbara. Local fisherman also set up a market on Saturday mornings to sell their fresh seafood directly to the public.
Avocados: California is famous for its avocados, and Santa Barbara is no exception. Look for local avocados in salads, sandwiches, and guacamole. Avocados play a big part in California cuisine for good reason.
Mexican Food: Santa Barbara has a number of Mexican food restaurants and cafes that you can’t miss. While it’s not truly authentic Mexican food, California has etched out its own version that includes overstuff burritos, cheese-topped enchiladas, and tons of tacos.
Best Santa Barbara Food Tours
If you’re ready, let’s explore some of Santa Barbara’s top food tours, starting with the best tour on the list: Downtown Santa Barbara Food Tour!
#1 Top Pick
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Downtown Santa Barbara Food Tour
✔️Badge of Excellence
✔️5-star / 485 reviews
#2 Pick
Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour
✔️Badge of Excellence
✔️5-star / 95 reviews
#3 Pick
Historic Santa Barbara Food Tasting Tour
✔️Badge of Excellence
✔️5-star / 25 reviews
Editor’s Pick: Best Santa Barbara Food Tour
1. Downtown Santa Barbara Food Tour
⏰ 3-4 hours | 🏆Badge of Excellence | 🕤 Departure Time: Varies
Spend an unforgettable half day enjoying beautiful Santa Barbara with your friends or family. Live like a local for a day, on a lively, engaging tour of the town. Fill up on delicious food from 5 to 6 eateries. Sample the region’s best wine with up to two tastings in between jaunts that will take you past the town’s many theaters and plazas.
On this tour you’ll:
- Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the wonderful tasting rooms in El Paseo.
- Learn local history as you pass by downtown buildings.
- Bring your appetite for hearty samples that make up a meal
- Take photos with your loved ones next to Santa Barbara’s noted buildings and landmarks
2. Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour
⏰ 3 hours | 🏆Badge of Excellence | 🕤 Departure Time: 11:15 AM
Indulge your passions for food, photography and fun during this 3-hour, small-group, culinary and picture-taking tour in Santa Barbara. Dig into some tasty food and drink during stops at three different local eateries, a microbrewery, two wineries and a distillery in the city’s artsy Funk Zone. As you snack and imbibe, you’ll get helpful tips to capture high-quality food photography using anything from a smartphone to a high-end digital SLR. This small-group trip, limited to 14 guests, includes a guide and all food and drink.
On this tour you’ll:
- Discover the culinary delights and eye-catching art of this up-and-coming neighborhood
- Sample of mix of snacks
- Get expert photography tips from your knowledgeable guide to take the perfect food photo
- Enjoy drinks from wine rooms, a distillery and a craft brewery
3. Historic Santa Barbara Food Tasting Tour
⏰ 3 hours 30 minutes | 🏆Badge of Excellence | 🕤 Departure Time: 11 AM
Savor the best of historic Santa Barbara on a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour through the heart of this scenic, seaside city. Meet local chefs and artisans as you explore alongside your local guide, and get an insider’s take on the vibrant gourmet scene. Sample locally-made wines, handcrafted chocolate and gourmet cheese at a series of six tasting stops that include a public market, wineries and boutiques. Learn a bit of local history as you trace the relaxed course, which blends essential landmarks with hidden gems and local favorites.
On this tour you’ll:
- Gourmet tour of Santa Barbara’s culinary gems
- Encounter the city’s most exciting chefs and artisans
- Get an insider’s take on California’s foodie culture
- See local landmarks, architecture and historic places
4. Downtown Santa Barbara Taco & Drink Tour
⏰ 3 hours 30 minutes | 🏆Badge of Excellence | 🕤 Departure Time: 1 PM
Join a foodie tour of Santa Barbara and discover the wonderful mix of Spanish and Mexican influence on the local food scene. Delve into the rich heritage of the city by dining at five local taquerias in Downtown with a guide. Enjoy a tasting experience of local tacos along with three alcoholic drinks as you enjoy your afternoon.
On this tour you’ll:
- Discover the Spanish and Mexican influence on the local dining scene in Santa Barbara
- Visit five taquerias in downtown to taste the local flavors
- Learn more about the cultural heritage of the city from your guide
- Go on an easy walking tour around downtown Santa Barbara
Tipping on a Tour
You might be wondering what the etiquette is for tipping when you take a tour. Tipping is almost always expected and appreciated by the tour operator, but just like any other service-based experience, it is at your discretion.
It of course isn’t necessary to tip if you didn’t have a good time or didn’t think the service was good on your tour. However, on guided food tour, it’s expected that you tip your guide, as well as your driver if there is one. A standard tip is 15 – 20% of the tour price, matching the level of service you believe you received. You would hand this tip directly to the guide at the end of the tour.
A tip is typically included at each restaurant you visit on a food tour, so it’s not necessary to tip restaurant staff or leave a tip on the table at a restaurant.
Our Recommended Santa Barbara Hotel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hotel Santa Barbara
✔️ 8.6/10 Excellent
✔️ Perfect location
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SANTA BARBARA
Is parking a problem in Santa Barbara?
Parking isn’t terrible in downtown Santa Barbara, except on busy weekends. You can find street parking, if you look for it. There are also a ton of beach parking lots. On the street, you’ll pay from to 9am to 6pm every day, but it’s free after that.
Some spots are metered with limited time, some are free with limited time during the day. Most hotels will charge anywhere from $25 to $45 a night for parking.
What are some good wineries in Santa Barbara?
There are a ton of great winery tasting rooms in downtown Santa Barbara in the Funk Zone and Paseo Nuevo shopping center. Our favorites are Riverbench and Pali Wine Co in the Funk Zone; Happy Canyon and Jamie Slone in Paseo Nuevo.
Outside of Santa Barbara, we like to visit Solvang, Los Olivos, and the Foxen Canyon Wine trail for wine tasting, especially at E11even, Bien Nacito Winery, and SamSara in Los Olivos, and Zaca Mesa and Riverbench up in Foxen Canyon.
Is Santa Barbara worth the money?
Yes, Santa Barbara is a very expensive city, especially if you want to stay in 4- to 5-star hotels or right on the beach. Whether that expense is worth it to you is very subjective. I feel that Santa Barbara is definitely worth a visit, though you don’t necessarily need to stay in the expensive downtown hotels.
The town has a lovely setting along the California Coast with beautiful surrounding mountains. The architecture is California Spanish Revival and there is year-round foliage of natural plants, flowers, and cactus to enjoy. If you like wine tasting, some of the best central coast wineries are located nearby.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
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Angie is a long-time California fan, having lived in the Monterey area for many years. She loves reading, cooking, and hanging out with her two kids.