Santa Barbara private tours

Santa Barbara, the so-called American Riviera, is a study in contrasts where the old meets the new under a sun-drenched sky. Spanish colonial buildings aren't just relics; they're part of the living landscape. With a local guide, uncover the city's hidden sides. Walk the historic Presidio streets and feel the weight of history in every step. Or let the flavours of the Santa Ynez Valley wines tell you a story of the land. In Santa Barbara, tours aren't just about seeing sights; they're about feeling the essence of a place where every corner holds a new discovery. It's a journey that transforms the ordinary into something almost ma...

Santa Barbara, the so-called American Riviera, is a study in contrasts where the old meets the new under a sun-drenched sky. Spanish colonial buildings aren't just relics; they're part of the living landscape. With a local guide, uncover the city's hidden sides. Walk the historic Presidio streets and feel the weight of history in every step. Or let the flavours of the Santa Ynez Valley wines tell you a story of the land. In Santa Barbara, tours aren't just about seeing sights; they're about feeling the essence of a place where every corner holds a new discovery. It's a journey that transforms the ordinary into something almost magical. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Santa Barbara.

Explore Santa Barbara your way

At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Santa Barbara tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Santa Barbara for every interest, including:

Layover tours: Get picked up at SBA, stroll Stearns Wharf and the harbour, and roll up State Street for a quick look. Add a photo stop at the Mission rose garden before heading back.

Food and Drink tours: Sip along the Funk Zone at Municipal Winemakers and Santa Barbara Wine Collective, then try tacos on Milpas Street at La Super‑Rica. If timing works, taste fresh uni at the harbour when fishers are in, or graze at the Public Market during your tour.

Architecture tours: Climb the County Courthouse tower for tilework and views, then compare details at Mission Santa Barbara. Your guide can point out Jeff Shelton’s Ablitt Tower and El Andaluz and arrange Casa del Herrero entry when available.

Transit and getting around: The waterfront and downtown core are walkable, and local buses plus the Pacific Surfliner help with short rides. For hill neighbourhoods and winery country, you can book chauffeured tours or ask about tours with private transportation.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Santa Barbara inside and out.

Walking tours & neighbourhoods

Day trip ideas from Santa Barbara

From Santa Barbara, you can branch out to nearby towns, valleys, and islands for easy day trips that match what you like, and these routes also fit well as private tours centred on wine, hiking, art, or coastal scenery.

Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley give you a simple mix of Danish heritage and wine country; you can wander past windmills and bakeries, step into Mission Santa Inés, then roll through ranch land to tasting rooms in Los Olivos and Santa Ynez, so if you are into pinot, syrah, cycling, or rural photography, the quiet backroads and small producers line up nicely.

Ojai sits in a broad valley under the Topatopa Mountains and suits a slower day, with small galleries, farm stands, olive oil tastings, and short hikes on shady trails, plus relaxed cafes and local markets that make it easy to blend outdoors time with art and food.

Ventura and the Channel Islands work if time outside is the goal; you can stroll the historic core and pier, head to the harbour to catch a ferry to Anacapa or Santa Cruz for hiking on coastal bluffs, snorkelling in clear coves, and wildlife spotting, and with set boat schedules, planning the flow of your day stays straightforward.

Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains offer a classic coastal drive where you can stop for beach walks, tide pools, and a short canyon hike to a waterfall or overlook, then break for simple seafood and a quiet pier stroll, which keeps the day varied without rushing.

San Luis Obispo and the Pismo Coast make a smooth northern loop, letting you explore a walkable downtown around Mission Plaza, continue to long beaches and piers for an easy wander, watch for monarch butterflies in season, and pause in small towns like Arroyo Grande or Shell Beach for coffee and ocean views.

A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Santa Barbara most travellers miss.