
Santa Barbara, California
"Welcome to Paradise," is a fitting expression for those visiting the coastal city of Santa Barbara. Called the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a place where food, art, history, fashion, wine and sunshine mix to create a delightful and unique experience for the visitor. Charming Spanish and Moorish style buildings graced by brilliantly-colored bougainvillea, palm-lined beaches, a warm Mediterranean climate, charming sidewalk cafés and a pristine seaside setting are some of the aesthetic reasons for visiting Santa Barbara.
The "Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's Old Mission can be traced back to the 1700's when the mission was built to bring Christianity to the Chumash Indians. The Old Mission is now a California Historical Landmark and is one of the most popular attractions in the area.
Just outside of Santa Barbara, lies the Santa Ynez Valley which is home to numerous world-renowned wineries. The scenic beauty of the dramatic mountains, lush valleys and oak trees is only surpassed by the rich flavors of the wines produced in the area.
Points of Interest
- Santa Barbara Mission
- Wine Country
- Santa Barbara Courthouse
- State Street
- Solvang
- Los Olivos
- Fig Tree
- Outdoor Adventures
Santa Barbara by Trolley
- Fig Tree
- Santa Barbara Mission
- Santa Barbara Courthouse
- State Street
Acquaint yourself with Santa Barbara during this 1.5 hour, fully narrated tour aboard an open-air nostalgic trolley. View the wharf and State Street, perfect areas for shopping and dining. See a massive fig tree. Take in historic sites including the courthouse, the Presidio, and majestic Santa Barbara Mission.
Easy Activity
$25.00
Montecito Stars & History Tour
- Fig Tree
Bring a camera and a sense of adventure for this scenic tour to Montecito. From your motorcoach view one of the wealthiest communities in America, mega-stars like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres enjoy lavish estates. A scenic driving tour blends with free time for shopping with the chance of a celebrity-sightseeing half-day tour.
Easy Activity
$59.95
Solvang On Your Own
- Solvang
Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to stroll along the picturesque streets of Solvang! Its quaint Danish roots are ever-present in the enchanting architecture, interesting attractions like the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and delightful restaurants that serve up authentic Danish desserts like Aebleskiver. Enjoy some of the area wines at the various tasting rooms and wineries.
Easy Activity
$69.95
Local Connections: Historical Santa Barbara & Old Mission with Expert Guide
- Santa Barbara Courthouse
- Santa Barbara Mission
An exceptional experience at the historic Santa Barbara Old Mission begins with a special greeting by the Franciscans followed by a guided interior tour of the mission's museum, chapel and historic cemetery. A downloadable mission exterior walking tour covers the outside points of interest, and a city highlights drive returns you to port. Finish with a taste of California wines whiles overlooking the harbor.
Moderate Activity
$99.95
Coastal Whale Watching
- Outdoor Adventures
Mid February through the end of April is a spectacular time in the Santa Barbara Channel, this is the time when the Gray Whales are migrating up the coast to Alaska to their feeding grounds after leaving the mating a calving grounds. It only takes a 2.5 hour trip as these whales are so close to the shore.
Moderate Activity
$99.95
Harbor Kayak
- Outdoor Adventures
Experience the Santa Barbara Harbor from your sit-atop kayak on this active half-day tour. Paddle California's oldest working wharf and pristine coastline where you may be lucky enough to see dolphins, whales and sea lions. Afterwards return to your ship or stay in town and explore on your own.
Moderate Activity
$119.95
Santa Barbara Walking, Food & Photo Tour
- Outdoor Adventures
All fitness levels and photo skills are welcome on this half-day tour to hip eateries, nook wineries, and award-winning microbreweries housed in aged warehouses and forgotten scuba shops in Santa Barbara's colorful Funk Zone. Snack, sip and learn how to improve your photos while exploring with a pro tour guide.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$149.95
Whale Watching
- Outdoor Adventures
Experience a thrilling, full-day whale-watching expedition via luxury catamaran in the waters off Santa Barbara. Cruise along the Channel Islands teeming with birds, sea lions and dolphins. Time and weather-permitting, visit one of the world's largest sea caves. Watch for magnificent whales that spout and breach in the glistening waters of this migratory corridor. More than 30 species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions frequent the area, including the majestic blue whale, the acrobatic humpback whale, the powerful orca, the playful long-beaked common dolphin and the gregarious California sea lion.
Moderate Activity
$149.95
Seaside Bike
- State Street
- Outdoor Adventures
Pedal along the Cabrillo Beach Boulevard Bike Trail, experiencing Santa Barbara and the coastline one gorgeous view at a time. You'll enjoy a kaleidoscope of changing scenes from Stearn's Wharf and the historic downtown to nature preserves, the Santa Barbara Zoo and Arroyo Burro Beach on this active half-day tour.
Moderate Activity
$169.95
Santa Barbara & Los Olivos: California's Riviera, Food and Wine
- Santa Barbara Mission
- Santa Barbara Courthouse
- State Street
- Los Olivos
Santa Barbara is a feast for the senses. Discover the best this culinary-rich city has to offer on a "foodie" adventure designed to incorporate the city's historical and cultural highlights while showcasing its spectacular gastronomic offerings, including lunch at a renowned Mexican restaurant and a wine tasting in the lush Santa Ynez Valley.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$169.95
Solvang & Wine Tasting
- Wine Country
- Solvang
Revel in the Santa Ynez Valley's charming beauty during this full-day, guided excursion. Visit two of the area's top wineries to learn about winemaking and sample fine wines. Explore the quaint Danish Village of Solvang. Take in the Danish architecture, shop for European wares and indulge in lunch on your own.
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity
$189.95
Wine Tastings & Picnic Lunch
- Wine Country
Indulge your inner wine connoisseur during this lovely, full-day, guided tour of Santa Barbara's wine country. Visit four exceptional wineries in the lush and fertile Santa Ynez Valley. Learn about the history of winemaking and basics of production. Sample award-winning wines at each winery and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$199.95
Cycling through the Vineyards
- Solvang
Truly experience the scenic beauty of Santa Barbara Wine Country on an active 15 mile guided bike tour. Spend time in Solvang and Los Olivos. Enjoy wine tastings, visit a lavender farm and savor a rustic Italian-inspired lunch to complete your full-day tour.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$239.95