Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf: Our most recommended tours and activities

Santa Barbara: Electric Bike City Tour

Santa Barbara: Electric Bike City Tour

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.

Santa Barbara: Guided Tour on electric bikes (private)

Santa Barbara: Guided Tour on electric bikes (private)

A private tour like this can be customized if desired. We normally see these sights: Bird refuge and wave to the giraffes at the zoo Beautiful Butterfly Beach in the town of Montecito Cruise the waterfront on the Cabrillo bike path Check out historic Stearns Wharf and the dolphin fountain Look at the city from a lookout point above the harbor See the biggest fig tree in America Find our what's funky in the "Funk Zone" Cruise up the State Street Promenade (blocked off from cars) See a 360 degree view of downtown from the Courthouse tower See the beautiful Old Mission and Rose Garden Admire the unique Arlington Theatre and compare to the towering Granada Theatre At American Riviera Bike Tours, we look forward to making your visit to Santa Barbara special!

Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour

Explore Santa Barbara on a trolley tour. See the city's most iconic landmarks, including Stearns Wharf, East Beach, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Start your tour at Stearns Wharf, California’s oldest working wharf. Soak up the sun, salty breezes, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Next, head to East Beach, a favorite spot for locals for volleyball, skating, paddle sports, and art shows. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Santa Barbara mountains. Visit the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, a 42-acre open space park that includes a 29-acre lake that is an artificially modified estuary that supports brackish wetlands. Stop at Butterfly Beach in the chic and laid-back village of Montecito. The beach’s pristine shoreline is ideal for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. See the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which has a rich history dating back to 1876. Exhibits and collections change throughout the year to educate and entertain children and adults alike. Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a community of many parts, but one spirit. The Mission has served as a gathering place and spiritual home for many since its establishment in 1786. See the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, designed in the Spanish-Colonial style and completed in 1929. The fully operational Courthouse is an iconic Santa Barbara landmark with its distinctive four-faced clock tower, red tile roofs, elegant arches, and verdant sunken garden and grounds. Stop at the El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, a 5 1/2-acre park that preserves the site of the last Spanish fortress, or presidio, founded in Alta (Upper) California in 1782. Finally, visit the Santa Barbara Harbor, where you will find interesting stores, delicious seafood restaurants, and the occasional celebrity yacht.

Santa Barbara: 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour

Santa Barbara: 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour

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.

Santa Barbara: eBike rental full day

Santa Barbara: eBike rental full day

Cruise over to Montecito and see Butterfly Beach. Ride along the sunny Cabrillo Bike Path and check out Stearns Wharf. On a clear day you'll see 4 of the Channel Island on your way to the harbor and Shoreline park. Effortlessly ride up State Street Promenade and enjoy all the people watching that you can handle. If you like architecture, check out the Arlington theatre and Granada Theatre. If you want to see why the SB Courthouse is voted most beautiful public building, it's just a block from State Street. The free view from the Courthouse tower is amazing.

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Enjoy a comfortable and smooth ride on a 7-speed bicycle with this full-day bike rental in Santa Barbara. Take advantage of the over 300 days of sunshine per year and discover the waterfront with a map of the bike routes in the area. Head to the bike shop and pick up your bike. Get a helmet for yourself and any other rider peddling with you. Take the family along too with 24” and 20” kid's mountain bikes. Feel free to ask the rental staff for recommendations where to eat or what to do on your ride. Glide along the coastal boardwalk and feel free to stop and pick something up with the included lock and basket. Return the bike to the rental shop at the end of the rental period.

Santa Barbara and Solvang tour from Los Angeles

Santa Barbara and Solvang tour from Los Angeles

A one-day tour to the famous Santa Barbara and the Danish village of Solvang. We will drive on the Pacific Coast Highway alongside the ocean. In Santa Barbara we will visit the Downtown, the Old Mission, the Stearns Wharf pier, the beach area and other places. Also, offering optional visits to a wine tasting place and an ostrich farm. I also offer other tours: LA city tour, beach sides tour, Orange County tour, San Diego tour, Pacific Coast Highway (Malibu) tour, celebrity houses tour, hiking tour to Hollywood sign, tours to National parks and many other tours. I also offer custom tours. Message me!

Santa Barbara: Guided E-Bike Sightseeing Tour

Santa Barbara: Guided E-Bike Sightseeing Tour

Discover the timeless charm of Stearns Wharf, an iconic landmark nestled in the picturesque harbor of Santa Barbara, California, USA. Erected in 1872 by esteemed local lumberman John P. Stearns, this historic marvel stands tall as the longest deep-water wharf between San Pedro and San Francisco. Step back in time and immerse yourself in over a century of maritime heritage, as Stearns Wharf beckons with its rich legacy of serving as a vital hub for passenger and freight shipping along California's South Coast. Whether you're strolling along its weathered planks, savoring fresh seafood at its quaint eateries, or simply soaking in panoramic views of the coastline, there's something for everyone at Stearns Wharf. Cruise through the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara, as you pass through State Street and the funk zone. The tour will take riders along both east and west beach as you make your way to Santa Barbara City College for the best views of the city. Then, make your way to the celebrity hangout of Montecito. Cruise along Butterfly Beach and into the lower village, from here head to the famous Rosewood Miramar resort and up to the Upper Village. Climb to the top of Shoreline Park with ease on an e-bike and soak in some of the best views of Santa Barbara. Follow your guide off the beaten path as they take you to one of the greatest lookouts of Downtown Santa Barbara. Enjoy breathtaking views in the small, but hidden park. Only accessible by bike or on foot. Spot some seals as you adventure around the beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor, home of many adventures and great dining options. Watch the bikes as you explore down the break wall and peruse local seafood markets, restaurants, and maritime museum.

Santa Barbara: City Highlights Bike Tour

Santa Barbara: City Highlights Bike Tour

Explore Santa Barbara and its waterfront and downtown area on wheels. Grab a bike and cruise by the Santa Barbara Zoo, Funk Zone, and State Street, with amazing views and information along the way. Get to the shop to be greeted with smiling faces, good vibes, and enthusiasm to get on the road. We carry quality bikes because we want your tour experience to be enjoyable and fun. You will have the option of riding a 7-speed beach cruiser with a basket, or a hybrid-style (non-electric) bike with 21 gears. Once you get fitted on your bike and have the seat heights all adjusted, grab some water bottles and head off to the waterfront to begin the tour. This is a leisurely tour that will be adapted to any pace that you would like. You can always talk to your tour guide if you wish to go somewhere specific. Typically, you can explore the entire beachfront bike path area, check out the Santa Barbara Zoo, learn about the rich history of that area, and ask any questions that you might have along the way. From here, circle back and go towards the downtown area where you may go explore the Funk Zone, State Street, and the Santa Barbara Harbor area.

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What people are saying about Stearns Wharf

Overall rating

5
(8 reviews)

The tour guide was excellent in his choice of route. He was attentive to the needs of the group and each individual. Safety, fun, and inclusion were his priorities.

The e-bike tour of Santa Barbara with Amanda was wonderful! She’s kind, safe, and very knowledgeable of the local area! I would highly recommend it!

Sergio, our guide was a lifelong resident and passionate about sharing Santa Barbara with us. The bikes were great and we so enjoyed our tour!

Tour was great - Guide was knowledgeable and did a great job keeping a group of 10 together as we toured around

Bella did a great job. We covered a lot of ground and saw some great sights.