Things to do in

Santa Ynez Valley

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.

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.

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.

Explore the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between L.A. and Santa Monica on a self-guided driving tour. Start anywhere along the route and enjoy a scenic drive along the California coast. Let your audio guide transform your scenic drive into a sight-seeing, fact-finding, trivia-answering, family-friendly adventure. Pass through and learn about some of the cities and small towns nestled along the coast. See the famous Marina Del Rey, catch glimpse of the Channel Islands, and pass by the Vandenberg Space Force Base. Find out about parks, historical sites, tourist attractions, recreation areas, and more from your audioguide. Explore Tuna Canyon and Topanga State Park, Nicholas Canyon Beach, and the Chumash village of Wishtoyo. Admire Boney Peak at the Point Mugu State Park and look for the endangered California Condors in Ventura County. Check out other sights along the way, including the Getty Villa Museum, Port Hueneme, Santa Ynez Mountains and Painted Caves Historical Park, Goleta, and Nojoqui Falls.

Taste some of Santa Barbara's best wines during a wine country guided group tour of the Santa Ynez area. Explore wines from small-production and family-owned wineries that are tailored to your group’s preferences. Visit a mixture of vineyards, small production tasting rooms, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at your third stop. Sample different flavors and hear from your guide about the winemaking process in California.

Learn to surf the waves of Santa Barbara's beautiful beaches! These surf sessions give you a foundation in this exciting water sport. Meet your instructor at Mondo's Beach, south of Santa Barbara, and learn about the finer points of catching waves during a beach lesson and while in the water. The instructor will begin with a beach lesson reviewing: how to position yourself on the board, paddling techniques and proper stance. Once in the water students will get pointers on maneuvering waves, balance techniques and surf etiquette. Most of the guests "get up" within the first hour in the water! For the half-day option, pack your own lunch and enjoy a lunch break. Relax on the sand and enjoy drinks and food while recharging. A cooler will be provided for you to keep your lunches cool during the session. The seasoned instructors have years of experience in guiding lessons and can adapt their instruction to virtually any skill level. Santa Barbara offers ideal beginner's breaks and provides the perfect opportunity to get a foundation for this incredible sport. Surf sites are selected based on the current swell and tide conditions, and your instructor finds the best breaks for successful learning. Be sure to take in the gorgeous scenery with a view of the Santa Ynez mountain range.

Meet your guide at Haskell's Beach just north of Santa Barbara, one of the area's most beautiful beaches featuring a palm-lined coast and crystalline waters. Your guide will outfit the members of your group with kayaking gear and will take you through a kayaking lesson on shore, including instruction on entering and exiting the surf. When you are on the water and feeling comfortable with your paddling skills, you will set off on a stunning 4.8 km journey. You will stop amid pristine kelp beds to learn about marine ecology and the Santa Barbara Channel. Keep an eye out for dolphins that often swim and play alongside the kayaks. At midday, you will stop for a delicious lunch served on a secluded beach. After an optional swim, venture back to shore and on the way take part in some fun kayak challenges and games. This is an unforgettable trip and the perfect half-day activity.