The Original Downtown Santa Barbara Walking Food and Drink Tour is the town's best-known answer to the question of what locals actually eat and drink, and its review record is remarkable: more than five hundred travelers have rated it, with an average of 4.9 stars. Over three to four hours, a guide leads the group on foot through downtown, stopping at several local eateries for food and pausing for wine or beer tastings between strolls past the city's theaters and plazas. It is described as a half-day outing for friends or family, which is accurate: it is substantial enough to serve as lunch or an early dinner, and the walking between stops fills in the gaps with architecture and history. The page does not name the individual restaurants or stops, so expect the stops to vary and arrive hungry and open-minded. It differs from the Red Tile Walking Tour in purpose: that is a self-guided history route, while this is a tasting tour built around the table. Free cancellation is shown on the booking page.
What to expect
A small progressive meal, with multiple stops, each serving a portion of food, plus tastings of wine or beer along the way. The pace is unhurried, with time to sit at each stop, and the guide fills the intervals with context about downtown, the buildings and the neighborhood. Because the venues change, the menu is not fixed, and anyone with dietary restrictions or allergies should tell the operator when they reserve, not on the day, so that the stops can be matched to your needs.
Doing it well
Go with a light breakfast and an empty stomach, since you will eat steadily for three hours or more. Wear comfortable shoes, because the route is entirely on foot, bring a light layer for the evening, and allow time before and after for parking and a short walk. Because the tour includes alcohol, plan transport so that nobody has to drive immediately afterwards, and keep the rest of the afternoon relaxed. It works well as a main meal, so do not book a big lunch beforehand.
Fitting it into a trip
It is a good first-day activity because it introduces you to downtown, its restaurants and the layout of State Street, giving you a shortlist for dinners later in your stay. It is also a good rainy-day alternative, although some portions are outdoors, so bring a jacket.
Pair it with a morning at the Courthouse or the Museum of Art, and follow it with an unhurried walk down toward the Funk Zone or the wharf. Couples, friends and visiting family will all enjoy the format, and food-focused travelers will value the way it shows how Santa Barbara's restaurant scene fits together.
Finally, because the tour covers a lot of ground in a few hours, treat it as research for the rest of the trip: note the places you enjoyed, ask the guide for follow-up recommendations, and use the experience to choose where to book dinners and which tasting rooms to return to, which is where its real value lies for visitors with several days.
What to expect
The experience
A guided three-to-four-hour walking tour through downtown with food from several local eateries and wine or beer tastings, passing the city's theaters and plazas.
Best time
Lunchtime or early evening, as it works as a main meal.
How long
Three to four hours.
Tips
Arrive hungry and tell the operator about dietary needs when you book. Wear comfortable shoes and plan transport afterwards, since tastings are included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food-focused first-timers who want a guided introduction to downtown restaurants.
- Families
- Better for older children and adults; the tour includes alcohol tastings and runs for hours.
- Couples
- A shared progressive meal with wine or beer, ideal for a date afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Courthouse tower, the Museum of Art and a stroll toward the Funk Zone.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How long is the food and drink tour?+
Three to four hours, entirely on foot through downtown.
What is included?+
Food from several local eateries and wine or beer tastings. The page does not name individual stops, which can vary.
Is it enough for a meal?+
Yes. It is designed as a half-day outing and works as lunch or an early dinner, so go with an empty stomach.
Can it accommodate dietary restrictions?+
Tell the operator when you reserve, not on the day, so the stops can be matched to your needs.
How is it different from the Red Tile Walking Tour?+
That is a free self-guided history route; this is a guided tasting tour built around food and drink.
