Santa Barbara Tours

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 Rad Power E-bike or Specialized Sport 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 different distance options are offered to suit your ability and preference.

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.

Explore Santa Barbara's wine country on a private tour for just you and your group of friends or family. You'll visit four wineries for wine tastings of different varietals, plus enjoy a provided lunch. Up to 14 people can be accommodated with pickup and drop-off in Santa Barbara or surrounding towns.

Eat delicious lunch food, drink great drinks and learn about downtown Santa Barbara on this 3.5ish-hour walking tour. Indulge your palate for a few hours with sipping, sampling, and savoring. You will enjoy food from 6+ local eateries, 1-2 wine tastings or a cocktail. Go where locals like to go. This fun, informative and local walking lunch tour is sure to pleasantly fill you up and entertain the whole family. Great for a daytime activity and awesome way to learn about other places to eat and drink on your visit! TOURS CAN EASILY BE MADE PRIVATE - please email, call or text us.

Santa Barbara Wine Country is one of California’s most diverse wine-growing regions, renowned for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the vineyards, orchards, and olive groves on this half-day bike tour. Along the way, stop to sample a variety of red and white wines, as well as local olive oils and chocolates, and learn more about the region’s wine-making heritage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catch waves alongside your favorite surf buddy with a private, 2-hour surfing lesson in Carpinteria, a scenic beach that’s just 11 miles down the coast from Santa Barbara. Join a friend, partner or family member and hit the water with an experienced surf coach. Learn the basics of safety and etiquette, then practice paddling out, popping up and riding waves with the personal attention of your private instructor. Enjoy scenic views of the California coast, and take in sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean from beyond the breakers.

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.

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.

Explore California’s gorgeous coast on a scenic kayak tour. With a knowledgeable, experienced guide leading the way, bring the whole family and navigate Santa Barbara’s picturesque waterfront. Learn about the region's history and wildlife, admire the rugged coastal mountains, and watch for pelicans and egrets, dolphins and sea lions. You may even see a family of gray whales on its annual migration.

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.

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.

Ojai has a 100-year history of ceramics. Our studio, located a mile from the city center, is surrounded by nature, in the midst of a fruit orchard. We are the primary working studio for the great artists of the Ojai Valley. Visitors may watch potters work, and may "try their hand" at a range of techniques. After making their pottery, they may come back on another day to trim or glaze it, or they may pay a small fee for one of the potters to trim, glaze and high-fire the work. We will even ship the pieces anywhere in the country...

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.

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.

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.

This ride showcases some of the best scenery in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. Our high quality, easy to ride electric-assist bicycles makes cycling the wine country accessible to everyone. This spectacular ride takes you through picturesque landscapes, sun-draped vineyards, and oak-studded rolling hills. Tour includes wine and olive oil tasting.

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.

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.

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.