Santa Barbara Tours

Sky’s The Limit Ballooning Adventures has been safely and professionally giving high-quality hot air balloon rides since 1994. We pride ourselves on being a family owned and family operated business. So, we have the highest level of customer service. The joy of a great hot air ballooning experience is at the heart of what we do. We want all our customers to enjoy their time in the sky as much as we enjoy taking you up there.

Ride through the towns and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley wine region on this bike tour with transport from Santa Barbara. With a guide, you'll pedal a specialized hybrid bike to a winery and other spots for wine tastings, an olive-oil tasting, and an Italian-inspired picnic lunch. A bike tour allows you to enjoy better views of the scenery than from inside a car, and three distance options are available to suit your ability and preference.

Explore the Santa Barbara wine region by electric bike on a self-guided tour from Los Olivos. Your package includes a Pedego Electric Bike with carrying satchel, wine trail map, and cold bottled water. With an electric bike, you can cover more ground without tiring, and switch on the motor when you need it. Staff are able to make recommendations and reservations to customize your itinerary to your interests.

This private Santa Barbara kayaking tour lets you explore the marine life and landmarks of Santa Barbara Harbor and the spectacular coastline on the ‘American Riviera’ along one of four different routes. Take in views of rugged shoreline cliffs and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and be on the lookout for dolphins and seals. This 1.5- to 2.5-hour tour is led by an experienced kayak guide who points out natural features and customizes the speed of the ride according to your skill level.

There’s hardly a better place to learn to surf than the Southern California locale of Santa Barbara, which offers fantastic weather year-round. During this 1.5-hour lesson, an expert instructor shows you how to stand up on your surfboard and balance, offering tips on how to catch the perfect wave while ensuring your safety in the water. Wetsuit and surfboard rental are included, and all skill levels are welcome.

The Vineyard Picnic Tour is an all-inclusive wine tasting tour featuring three wineries in Santa Barbara Wine Country, in the Santa Ynez Valley. Join in with other like-minded wine enthusiasts for a relaxing day among the vineyards, sampling wines, seeing the wine making process, and savoring a picnic lunch at one of the wineries. A catered picnic lunch, served at a winery, is included.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. Includes use of all kayaking gear.

Hop on a bike and roll through California’s wine country on two wheels. Soak in the Mediterranean vibes in the mainland US. Get your hands greasy - not from cycle chains, but from olive oil samples and lavender oil presses. Have a picnic lunch in the countryside then taste some wine before cruising back to Solvang.

Escape the crowds on land and get the best views of Santa Barbara Harbor from the water during a kayak tour that’s designed with active travelers in mind. Exploring in an eco-friendly vessel increases your chance of spotting dolphins and sea lions, while a choice of morning and afternoon start time means you can select a time that suits your schedule.

Avoid the stuffy minivans and tour buses that go from winery to winery; instead, enjoy the wind in your hair as you cycle around the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley on this charming cycling tour. Head out from Los Olivos and explore the parks, villages and rural landscapes of the Valley. Enjoy a pair of wine tastings and sample locally-grown, locally-produced food at local farms and vineyards.

Paddle into the sunset along the Southern California coast during this beginner-friendly kayaking trip from Santa Barbara. Watch the last rays of the day melt into the Pacific as you travel through the glassy waters of Santa Barbara Harbor. As you move, you’ll pass by the historic wharf and past other boats, keeping your eyes out for marine life. An included lesson in astronomy and ecology from your guide is an added bonus. A guide and all necessary kayaking gear is included.

Head for the Danish town of Solvang, nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, for a food- and photography-focused tour. You'll make stops for multiple food and drink tastings (many traditional Danish treats) and listen to guided commentary. Your guide will also provide your small group with tips and pointers on how to get the best photos of your adventure.

If you've always wanted to learn how to surf—or you're an amateur looking to bolster your skills—there's no better place to hit the waves than Santa Barbara, one of the top surf towns in California. With this group surf lesson, expect to hit the waves and improve your skills, regardless of experience level. Beginners can cover the basics, like paddling and catching a wave, while more confident surfers can review advanced skills, like cutbacks and floaters.

Follow an experienced guide on a 1.5-hour mountain bike tour over Santa Barbara’s scenic terrain. Select a beginner or intermediate route according to your skill level, and ride over coastal bluffs and through lovely meadows. Enjoy fantastic photo ops of renowned Southern California landscapes on this small-group tour, limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

Paddle off for some adventure and wildlife spotting during this kayaking trip along the shores of Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara. Float along the Gaviota Coast, one of the last undeveloped, open sections of the California shore, stopping to look at underwater kelp beds and search for dolphins. You’ll cap it all off with lunch on a secluded beach plus swimming and kayaking games. A guide, lunch and all gear is included.

We pride ourselves on carrying Santa Barbara's easiest kayak and paddleboard experience as the only rental and tour company on West Beach. We also prioritize keeping our inventory up to date with the highest-end kayak and paddleboard gear you can find. Most importantly, our friendly tour guides and beach staff will be happy to answer any questions as they help assist you and the family into your ocean adventure!

Whether you are in town for the day from nearby Los Angeles or Santa Barbara or planning an anniversary or birthday celebration for two or looking for a group activity for your company, yoga retreat, wedding party, family reunion or team building, Trails by Potter is the guiding company for you, whether it is for hiking, biking, rock climbing or tennis! We use the finest equipment, provide snacks and water for all activities and add personal touches: from meeting you at your hotel, helping you choose hotel and dinner reservations, offering referrals to massage therapists and spa treatments to recommending ‘not-to-miss’ Ojai places and moments.Trails by Potter will accommodate any level of fitness from beginner to moderate exerciser to weekend warrior and anyone in between. Many of our repeat customers will plan multiple activities during their week or weekend stay.

Learn to surf alongside a private group of friends, family or colleagues with a 2-hour surf lesson in Carpinteria, a renowned beach that’s 11 miles down the coast from Santa Barbara. Enjoy the convenience of an all-inclusive lesson, and learn the basics of safety and technique before paddling into the waves with your experienced instructor. Practice board handling, reading waves and making the most of every ride as you take in scenic views of the California coast and the Pacific Ocean.

This guided cycling tour is a great way to explore the Santa Ynez Valley, while also getting some fresh air and leisurely exercise. Travel from Santa Barbara by luxury van, then set off by bike after your first wine tasting. Pass by local farms and ranches, take part in two more wine tastings, and pause for a picnic lunch.

We pride ourselves on carrying Santa Barbara's easiest kayak and paddleboard experience as the only rental and tour company on West Beach. We also prioritize keeping our inventory up to date with the highest-end kayak and paddleboard gear you can find. Most importantly, our friendly tour guides and beach staff will be happy to answer any questions as they help assist you and the family into your ocean adventure!

Taste some of Santa Barbara’s great wines as you visit top winemaking destinations in Santa Ynez Valley. Make four stops for tastings at a mix of family-owned vineyards and small-production tasting rooms, and enjoy a picnic lunch. You’ll get an intimate experience of the wine region as you sample the wines and hear from your guide about winemaking in California.

Take a van to the top of La Cumbre Peak, hop on a bike, and embark on a mostly downhill journey to the shores of a local Santa Barbara beach. With plenty of sights to see along the way, including the Santa Barbara Mission, this roughly 20-mile (32-kilometer) tour is perfect for all skill levels. Chat with a local guide about the natural and cultural history of the area, and enjoy a provided lunch in a park.

Biking the seaside in Santa Barbara is always beautiful and having a guide brings it to life by adding context and stories about the development of this lovely waterfront. State Street just recently closed to automobiles, so now biking through downtown is more enjoyable and safe than ever. Your guide will not only provide entertaining stories about how the town and its buildings came to be, but also give you tips on the best restaurants, bars, and attractions to enjoy during the rest of your stay in Santa Barbara.

Learn to SUP, or stand-up paddleboard, in Santa Barbara during a 1.5-hour lesson at Leadbetter Beach. No matter your skill level, you’ll learn to stand up and kneel down, balance and paddle as you’re accompanied onto the water. A wetsuit is provided for this all-weather outdoor activity that gives you a glimpse of marine life and the Santa Barbara coastline. Your lesson is limited to 18 people to ensure more personalized attention from the expert instructor.