View Our Tours

Explore Santa Barbara in an immersive manner with a local guide.

Welcome to The American Riviera

Nestled between the majestic Santa Ynez mountains and the calming waves of the Pacific Ocean lies the enchanting coastal town of Santa Barbara. It’s red-tile roofs and white washed walls reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. From top rated wine tasting rooms, cocktail bars and restaurants that line State Street to the secret paseos and hidden walkways that reveal architectural gems, there is truly something for everyone. Adventure awaits!

Taste and See SB is your premier tour guide with a bespoke curated itinerary for the discerning traveler. We take the guesswork out of where to go and what to do so you can relax and enjoy more time during your stay. Escape the ordinary and get introduced to the culture and lifestyle of Santa Barbara. Gain an insider perspective on the arts, gastronomy and history during your meaningful discovery on one of these tours: wine tasting, food tasting or architectural walking tours.

Our Tours & Experiences

What to Expect. Prepare to indulge yourself in all things delectable. You won’t be part of a large crowd following a guide with a flag. We keep our group small and intimate to allow more personal time with your guide.

Sip, Savor, and Stroll

$99/person, 1hr 45min

Guided traditional wine tasting with sensory, savory food pairing and stroll thru historic Downtown SB.

Sundays at 2:30pm

Wine Tasting Experience plus Wine & Food Pairing

Age: 21+

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B.L.T. (Breakfast, Lunch and Treat)

$55/person, 2hr

Guided foodie journey on one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved blocks.

Saturdays at 9:30am

Food Tasting Experience

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Flights & Bites

$99/person, 1hr 45min

Guided traditional wine tasting with food accompaniment and walking thru historic El Paseo.

Saturdays at 12pm

Wine Tasting Experience with amuse-bouche

Age: 21+

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Bubbles & Pink

$85/person, 1hr 30min

Guided traditional wine tasting on the Urban Wine Trail in the hip Funk Zone.

Saturdays at 2pm

Wine Tasting Experience

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Sip & Stir

$85/person, 1hr 30min

Guided traditional wine tasting followed by a presentation of mixological cocktail alchemy.

Saturdays at 4pm

Wine Tasting & Cocktail Experience

Age: 21+

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Places of Interest

Arlington Plaze
Description: This sun-drenched strip of glass-fronted locally owned luxury shops and dining spots sits across from the iconic Arlington Theater on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara’s historic theatre arts district.
Tour activity: Food Tasting
Associated tours: 
– B.L.T. (Breakfast, Lunch and Treat)
Arlington Theatre
Description: Largest movie theatre in Santa Barbara. Built in 1931 for Fox West Coast Theatres. Local architects William Edwards and Joseph Plunkett designed the theatre. Interior was decorated by the Los Angeles-based Robert E. Power Studios. Opening night at the Arlington Center for the Performing Arts featured king of swing Benny Goodman, who performed as a clarinet soloist with the Santa Barbara Symphony in a concert of classical music and jazz.
Tour activity: Food Tasting
Associated tours: 
– B.L.T. (Breakfast, Lunch and Treat) 
Arlington Village
Description: Located on the site of the Historic Arlington Hotel and steps away from State Street. Conceived to fulfill the vision in the 1930’s of a rustic Andalusian village surrounding the cathedral-like Fox-Arlington Theater. It is a meandering web of smaller courtyards, paseos, balconies and a rooftop plaza with captivating views of the theater tower and offering panoramic skyline views of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll
The Granada Theatre
Description: The tallest building in the city. A local landmark since April 9, 1924. It is Santa Barbara’s oldest standing movie palace. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. By 2019 movies had been dropped. The Granada is home to Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet and Opera Santa Barbara.
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours:  
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Description: First opened in 1941, the Museum is located in the heart of downtown in a stately building that was once the Santa Barbara Post Office. It’s renowned 25,000-piece permanent collection spans both the centuries and the globe, with works ranging from classical antiquities to modern installations. Fun fact: the SBMA owns more Monets than any other museum on the West Coast. 
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll
La Arcada Plaza
Description  In the center of Santa Barbara lies a piece of Santa Barbara history. La Arcada Plaza was designed and constructed under the supervision of famed architect Myron Hunt in 1926. It draws a lot of inspiration from other historical landmarks from all over the world. The magnificent clock on State Street was modeled after an historic clock and Chicago landmark since 1880. The historic Barber Shop is a working establishment and a mini-museum of the decorative arts that embellished the hair cutting parlors in the early 1990’s. The lifelike statues by J. Seward Johnson and George Lundeen, the playful bronze dolphins by Santa Barbara artist Bud Bottoms, the inteactive Mozart Trio by Bonifatius Stirnberg, all enhance the magical experience of strolling through La Arcada Plaza.
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll
The Lobero Theatre
Description: California’s oldest, continuously operating theatre. Originally built as an opera house, in a refurbished adobe school building, by Italian immigrant José Lobero in 1873. When the building began to deteriorate in the 1920s, architects George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs rebuilt it in 1924 as a theater in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Registered as a California historical landmark in 1939. Designated a city landmark in 1981.
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll 
Shops at El Paseo
Description: Outdoor shopping area embodying the Spanish Colonial style with red tile roofs, courtyards, flower-festooned buildings and winding paseos. Dating from the 1920s, El Paseo is home to seven premier wine tasting rooms, part of the Presidio neighborhood portion of the Urban Wine Trail. 
Tour activity: Wine Tasting
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll 
State Street Promenade
Description: State Street Promenade is the heart of Santa Barbara. This expansive 10-block pedestrian walkway between Sola and Gutierrez Streets is reminiscent of European open-air markets. You can explore, browse, shop, sip, and dine while enjoying the architectural beauty, sights, and sounds of State Street all without car traffic.
Tour activity: Wine Tasting and Architectural Walking Tour
Associated tours: 
– Sip, Savor, and Stroll
– Stroll and See SB
Downtown Santa Barbara
Description: The city’s original settlement spread out from the Presidio to become downtown. “El Pueblo Viejo” is the city’s core historic district. Architecture defined by red tile roofs, white stucco walls, decorative wrought iron on windows, balconies and decorative tiles. 
Tour activity: Wine Tasting, Architectural Walking Tour and Cocktails
Associated tours: 
– Sip & Savor
– Stroll and See SB
– Sip & Stir

About Your Tour Guide

Joseph Soltis
Owner & Guide

Joseph is a gifted storyteller, foodie, oenophile and history buff who is passionate about living “La Dolce Vita.” Joseph fell in love with California when he planned a 21-day road trip with his family. At the heart of this experience was the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara, prompting a 2-week comprehensive exploration of Santa Barbara and surrounding area the following year. He squeezed every bit of fun and adventure into those itineraries and now gets to do the same with others who love Santa Barbara as much as he does.

Private Group Tours & Corporate Events

Don’t see the tour or experience you are looking for?

We can customize the perfect day for you in Santa Barbara with a private tour or experience. We are sure that oenophiles will enjoy personalized wine tasting along with chocolate or cheese pairings. History buffs will enjoy our historical walking tours. Other options include olive oil tasting, a chocolate factory tour, horseback riding and sailing. For more information about our offerings, please email us at: hello@tasteandseesb.com

What Our Clients Say

Amazing time

– Jorge S.
Santa Barbara, CA

Loved our tour with Taste and See SB. Joseph was our guide and I can’t say enough about him. He was informative, personal, funny and friendly. He spoke with passion on each site we visited, welcomed questions and I overall could tell he enjoyed spending time with us showing us a side of SB we had never seen before.  If you’re looking for a tour off the beaten path, Taste and See SB should be your go-to tour company.

– T.C.
Bridgewater, NJ

Great experience with great people who are really dialed into what Santa Barbara has to offer. Highly recommend!

– Mike C.
Studio City, CA

Joseph and Teresa are super hosts.  You will feel so welcome at all their events and get to have a “local” experience you will not forget.  Lighthearted, fun and knowledgeable, they will lead you on a tour you will long remember.  A wonderful culinary delight and a joyful exploration of beautiful Santa Barbara. Can still taste those macaroons.

– Lys P.
Santa Barbara, CA

Last summer, I had the pleasure of experiencing Taste and See SB first hand. Throughout the day, I was taken around many niche areas of LA and Santa Barbara that exposed me to a new LA metropolitan area that I wasn’t familiar with. Every need was anticipated, including those I wasn’t aware of. After several hours touring the city and dining out at a few choice eateries, I was left immensely satisfied by the specialized attention I was given. 5 starts across the board especially for punctuality and communication. I plan to book more tours through Taste and See SB in the future whenever I’m in the metropolitan LA area.

– Marcus B.
Manhattan, NY

I discovered Taste and See SB when I was looking for different ways to discover my new hometown and I am so glad I did. Joseph was professional, knew his stuff, and made the tour a lot of fun. I look forward to the next one!

– Jackie H.
Santa Barbara, CA

I spent the week in Santa Barbara and had the pleasure of attending a beautifully curated event by Taste and See SB! I also had the great joy of meeting the owner, Joseph. He’s immensely personable and knowledgeable of the SB area and kindly shared some locals only recommendations for restaurants and sightseeing.

Looking forward to visiting again to enjoy a food and sightseeing tour! Thanks again for helping me with a memorable week in Santa Barbara!

– Janice B.
Santa Clarita, CA

Our host Joseph was amazing and very informative. Such a people person.. loved him❤️. I will definitely be taking this tour again!

– Dana J.
San Bernadino, CA

For Tour & Experience Inquiries

Call Us

(908) 295-4712
Available Monday to Friday 9am–6pm PT

Text Us

(908) 295-4712
Available daily

Email Us

hello@tasteandseesb.com

24 hour response time