Things to do in

Montecito

Make the most of a Santa Ynez wine shuttle service which gives you the freedom to pick from a selection of some of the best wineries in the Valley. Explore a variety of lunch options in the quaint town of Los Olivos, focus on specific varietals or even enjoy an olive oil tasting or stop at a Lavender farm. Learn about the local history and gain insights into the Santa Ynez wine region along the way with your knowledgeable guides. When you arrive in the Valley, make your first stop within walking distance of 3 wineries. Your guide will go over the choices, and you can decide on the day which one speaks to your palate. Next, head on to the Los Olivos Tasting Rooms for a lunch stop and the chance to visit another tasting room. Boasting expansive views of Santa Barbara County’s vineyards and horse ranches, the town of Los Olivos has about 25 tastings rooms you can visit. Bring your own lunch or enjoy one of the many great restaurant options in town. For your final stop, get dropped off in one of the loveliest areas in the valley, and you can decide between 2 popular vineyards on the day of your visit. There is also an optional olive oil tasting stop at Rancho Olivos Artisan Extra Virgin Olive Oil that can be discussed with your guide the day of the trip.

Your group will be picked up by an air-conditioned van in the morning. Travel then to the first winery in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Once there, begin wine tastings and sometimes are offered barrel room tours. On the weekdays, lunch will be served in the shade at a favorite winery or park. Your guide will pick up a delicious lunch sourced from local, fresh ingredients. Cold beverages will be provided. Visit 3 local favorite wineries in the area. Each has its unique vintages and award-winning selections. The winery staff will offer insight into specific blends and selections to our guests.

Meet your guides at the boat launch at Santa Barbara Harbor, where they outfit everyone in paddle jackets and PFDs. Guides will give a basic paddling demonstration and safety talk before setting out on the water. The launch is easy, right out of the boat launch. This is a great introductory lesson to kayaking or a nice relaxing kayak for more experienced paddlers. Once on the water, paddle approximately 1-2 miles along the coast surrounded by beautiful beaches and marine life. The group will continue through the harbor, paddling past boats, through the historic wharf, under the pier, out to buoys, and along the beach.  Keep a look out for wildlife along the way such as harbor seals, sea lions, brown pelicans, sea stars, cormorants, and seagulls.  Guides will offer insight into the history of the region as well as local marine ecology. Enjoy a relaxed pace and incredible marine life as well as taking in the views of Santa Barbara from the water.

Discover the beautiful landscapes of Santa Barbara on a relaxing sunset kayak tour. You will watch a basic paddling demonstration and hear the safety talk before setting out on the water. Spend 2-hours on the water exploring the Santa Barbara harbor and the shoreline. Watch the sun as it settles over the sea, creating a gorgeous backdrop of the city and the Santa Ynez Mountain range. Enjoy paddling along the coastline and soak in the stunning surrounding views of the sea. Immerse yourself into a dream-like nature experience for all sea kayaking skill levels, including beginners to advanced.

Discover the mountains of Santa Barbara on this cycling tour. Sip on cold water as you follow your guide thorugh stunning vistas of the mountains, city, and the ocean. Pick from a simple course for beginners or an intermediate course for avid cyclers. Have the option for a beginner mountain bike tour over mostly flat terrain with a few dips and climbs, or opt for a more challenging intermediate tour with single track turns, berms, and jumps. Meet before your scheduled start time to get set up on bikes. Have the suspension and seat heights adjusted to ensure you are comfortable on your bike. Load the bikes up into the vehicle and head to the trailhead. Experience some of the local mountain biking hot spots in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta, and Santa Ynez. Let your guide take care of navigation as you ride through eucalyptus trees. Transfer back to the supplier's bike shop at the end of your tour.

Start with an easy ride along the scenic Cabrillo Bike Path, then explore the artsy funk zone of Santa Barbara. After learning a little bit about the wining and dining options of the funk zone, see some of the historic buildings in the heart of downtown. Enjoy a safe and spacious bike ride up and down lively State Street Promenade, which is reserved for bike and pedestrian traffic only. Get insider info and hear of some hidden gems from your expert guide, before heading to the beach. Ride onto the sand at Santa Barbara's Harbor and pass alongside the waves and palm trees as you glide from the beach to beach along the waterfront. Discover Butterfly Beach, Secret Beach, and Miramar Beach in the ritzy town of Montecito. End the tour with a final stop outside at the 5-star Rosewood Miramar Hotel, with a stunning view of the beaches directly on the sand.

Your group will be picked up by an air-conditioned shuttle in the morning and head up to the Santa Ynez Valley. Once there, you will enjoy wine tasting at some of the area’s best wineries. Your group will visit beautiful Los Olivos and enjoy an incredible cupcake and wine tasting. Your guides will cover local human history and insight into the wine region along the way. On the weekdays, lunch will be served in the shade at a favorite winery or park. Your guide will pick up a delicious lunch sourced from local, fresh ingredients. Cold beverages will be provided. Each winery has its unique vintages and award-winning selections. Winery staff offer insight into specific blends and selections to guests.

This is a simple introduction for a first-time surfer or someone who has tried surfing a few times and needs some pointers. The instruction starts with beach lesson reviewing: how to position yourself on the board, paddling techniques, and proper stance. Once in the water students will get pointers on maneuvering waves, balance techniques, and surf etiquette. Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s surf lessons offer students a great foundation for this exciting sport. Our knowledgeable instructors have over 25 years of combined experience and will use their skills to point out the finer points of catching waves. Instructors choose surf sites based on the current swell and tide conditions, finding the best breaks for successful learning. Lessons require a minimum of four students.

Join us on an exploration of the Gaviota Coast, home to more than 1,500 species of plant and animal life. This is our most popular coastal trip and offers a perfect day of kayaking, swimming and fun in nature. We will meet at Haskell’s Beach, a secluded icon in the Santa Barbara beach scene. Your guide will outfit the members of your group and offer a thorough kayaking lesson onshore. Once on the water, we will tour a total of 3 miles, stopping in pristine kelp beds to learn about marine ecology and the Santa Barbara Channel (and hopefully kayak with dolphins and sea lions!). If you want to pack a sack lunch, we can stop mid-way through for a beach picnic for an hour or so or you’re welcome to picnic at the conclusion of your tour. As the trip progresses, your guide may offer a fun series of kayak challenges and games. This unforgettable trip will provide great opportunities to swim, play or just float. It’s perfect for all ages of adventure seekers!

Taste some of Santa Barbara's best wines during a wine country guided group tour of the Santa Ynez area. Explore wines from small-production and family-owned wineries that are tailored to your group’s preferences. Visit a mixture of vineyards, small production tasting rooms, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at your third stop. Sample different flavors and hear from your guide about the winemaking process in California.