Things to do in

Santa Barbara

Enjoy a memorable day exploring California's famous wine culture and take off on a fun-filled, cultural tour of some of California's finest wineries, each with a character as rich and individual as the wines they produce. Leave your Santa Barbara-area hotel at 10:00 AM aboard a spacious custom shuttle. Throughout the day, stop at 4 different wineries to get an insider's look into wine-making and wine-tasting while sampling a full selection of wines at each of the various wineries. Pause during the day for a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic winery setting catered by one of Santa Barbara's top lunch restaurants. Santa Barbara Wine Country offers more than 120 wineries, and this tour supplier is one of the few companies that does not limit tours to a small portion of these. Instead, your day is flexible and takes into account your preferences in wine and scenery, as well as any special events or offerings at the wineries. In addition to the exciting tour, you will receive your own Value Passport that will enable you to get great discounts on a variety of top-quality wines that you may wish to purchase.

Unwind with a relaxing early evening sunset cruise on the Santa Barbara Harbor. Admire the beauty of the scenery as you sail along the coast in a catamaran, then enjoy the romantic atmosphere as the sun sets over the water. Board the Double Dolphin catamaran at the meeting point and set off from Santa Barbara Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, otters, birds, and other coastal wildlife. Sit back and relax alongside friends or family, and put your feet up after a day of work or sightseeing. Marvel at the sunset views before returning to your original starting point.

Discover the best bike routes, historical landmarks, and viewpoints of Santa Barbara on an electric bike with an expert guide. Choose between a customizable private tour or a shared group tour where a route is decided by your guide. Start with an easy stroll along the scenic Cabrillo bike path and quickly venture into the artsy area of Santa Barbara. Check out the delicious wine and dine culture of this area. Let your tour guide show you the must-see historic buildings in the heart of downtown. As you bike through downtown, enjoy a safe and spacious bike ride up and down the energetic State Street Promenade allocated for bike and pedestrian traffic only. After downtown, your guide might have a few secret gems that he or she will show you before heading back along the waterfront. The finale of this tour will take you through the bike path that winds through the Santa Barbara Harbor and along the boardwalk back to the bike shop.

Guests meet their guides at the boat launch at Santa Barbara Harbor, where they outfit everyone in paddle jackets and PFDs. Guides will give a basic paddling demonstration and safety talk before setting out on the water. The launch is easy, right out of the boat launch. This is a great introductory lesson to kayaking or a nice relaxing kayak for more experienced paddlers. Once on the water, guests will paddle approximately 1-2 miles along the coast surrounded by beautiful beaches and marine life. The group will paddle through the harbor, paddling past boats, through the historic wharf, under the pier, out to buoys, and along the beach. There is an abundance of wildlife along the way such as harbor seals, sea lions, brown pelicans, sea stars, cormorants, and of course seagulls. Guides will offer insight into the history of the region as well as local marine ecology. People love this paddle because of the relaxed pace and incredible marine life as well as taking in the views of the town from the water.

After being picked up from your Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley accommodation in the morning, board a climate-controlled vehicle for the Santa Ynez Valley. Get a preview of the day from your guide, who will cover the local human history and give you insight into the wine region along the way. On arrival, enjoy a wine tasting at some of the area's top wineries, including a venue where your wine is paired with delectable cupcake tastings. The full-day tour features a sampling flight of cupcakes from Enjoy Cupcakes, a unique bakery in Los Olivos. Compare flavors like pomegranate-mango chardonnay and chocolate-blackberry syrah. After you're served a picnic lunch in the shade at a favorite winery, gain insight into specific blends and selections from the winery staff. Each establishment offers vintages and award-winning selections, and several wineries extend discounts on wine purchases. Conclude the day with a return ride to Santa Barbara and drop-off at your hotel.

Launch from the sand of Santa Barbara’s West Beach and follow your guide along Santa Barbara’s famous surf spot, the Sandspit. Admire panoramic views of the Waterfront, Santa Ynez Mountains, the Channel Islands, the Riviera, Stearns Wharf, and more. Paddle through the calm waters of Santa Barbara's harbor and enjoy views of sailboats, yachts, and fishing vessels. Learn valuable insight from your guide into the local landscape, topography, wildlife, and history of the harbor, as well as the best places to enjoy a fresh-caught meal.

This 3-day tour includes highlights of the Golden State, such as Santa Barbara, Solvang, the famous Pacific Coast Highway, Carmel, San Francisco, and Yosemite National Park. Day 1: Monday Departing north, travel along the spectacular and scenic California Coast to Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region. Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community, and browse the local shops. Your trip continues along Highway 1 through Big Sur to charming Carmel, home to actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll through town before heading on to Silicon Valley for overnight. Overnight: Santa Clara – La Quinta Inn & Suites Day 2: Tuesday See for yourself why San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Start your day at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise on the world famous San Francisco Bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the notorious Alcatraz Island. Visit Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch and a peek at the sea lions before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Chinatown, and the magnificent Nob Hill neighborhood, home to the rich and famous. The tour ends with a night view of the city from the Bay Bridge. Overnight: Modesto – Best Western Palm Court Inn (In Winter: Monterey/Holiday Inn hotel) Day 3: Wednesday Today’s route goes through farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. This 1,200 square mile wonderland of forests, lakes, and waterfalls is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and the Half Dome before walking to the Yosemite Visitor Center to reach the highest waterfalls in North America, the 730-meter-high Yosemite Falls. In the winter, depart south to route no 1, for a visit to the world famous Hearst Castle, built by the newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. Tour the famous house filled with antiques and see why the castle served as a playground for the rich and famous for the first half of the 20th century.

After pickup from your hotel or another prearranged meeting point in the morning, depart by climate-controlled van to the Santa Ynez Valley. Get a preview of the day from your guide as you set off for your first winery, learning about the history of this famed wine region along the way. Discover unique vintages and blends at each establishment, and some wineries extend discounts on wine purchases. On arrival, the winery staff will take your group for a wine tasting to learn more about each winery. Enjoy a picnic style lunch in the shade at a favorite winery with cold beverages also provided. Groups often enjoy a barrel room tour and explore the small towns of Los Olivos or Solvang. The tour includes tastings at 3 unique and hand-picked wineries, before driving back to Santa Barbara with drop-off at your hotel included. Group rates are available.

Learn to surf at Mondos Beach with a private 1.5-hour beginner's surf lesson. Take advantage of the more gentle waves and generous space at Mondos Beach as you pick up the techniques and etiquette of surfing. Meet your instructor at the surf van located on Mondos Beach and get suited up in a wetsuit. Grab a longboard and walk to the sand for beach instructions. You'll be briefed on water and surf safety, etiquette, and proper technique before jumping into the ocean to catch some waves. Follow your instructor as they coach and push you into waves to give you an experience that will last a lifetime. Enjoy the gentle long breaking waves of Mondo Beach lending itself to longer rides for you. Your lesson is private so you or your group can have their own instructor and a more personalized experience.

Make the most of a Santa Ynez wine shuttle service which gives you the freedom to pick from a selection of some of the best wineries in the Valley. Explore a variety of lunch options in the quaint town of Los Olivos, focus on specific varietals or even enjoy an olive oil tasting or stop at a Lavender farm. Learn about the local history and gain insights into the Santa Ynez wine region along the way with your knowledgeable guides. When you arrive in the Valley, make your first stop within walking distance of 3 wineries. Your guide will go over the choices, and you can decide on the day which one speaks to your palate. Next, head on to the Los Olivos Tasting Rooms for a lunch stop and the chance to visit another tasting room. Boasting expansive views of Santa Barbara County’s vineyards and horse ranches, the town of Los Olivos has about 25 tastings rooms you can visit. Bring your own lunch or enjoy one of the many great restaurant options in town. For your final stop, get dropped off in one of the loveliest areas in the valley, and you can decide between 2 popular vineyards on the day of your visit. There is also an optional olive oil tasting stop at Rancho Olivos Artisan Extra Virgin Olive Oil that can be discussed with your guide the day of the trip.