The 6 Best Santa Barbara Wine Tours (original) (raw)

Getty Images

Most wine tours in Santa Barbara head to the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, where multiple wineries and vineyards produce their wine.

Touted as the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara, California, is known for its beautiful mountain landscapes, abundance of outdoor activities and an overwhelming variety of fine dining experiences. What's more, a surprising number of wineries call Santa Barbara County home.

If you want to experience southern California wine country (Napa Valley and Sonoma rule the north), sign up for a guided wine tour. After evaluating both expert and traveler opinion, U.S. News found these six tours to be the best available. Each tour offers its take on what makes Santa Barbara Wine Country special, round-trip transportation and the chance to learn from local winemakers.

Note: Some tours may cater only to participants 21 and older. Check with your tour operator before you book if you wish to bring children.

Sustainable Wine Tours – Shared Wine Tours

Price: From $197
Duration: 7 hours

Sustainable Wine Tours celebrates wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley that are committed to small-production techniques, organic agriculture and environmental ethics. Along the company's shared winery tour, you and up to seven other oenophiles will visit private wineries, enjoy an organic picnic lunch and take part in behind-the-scenes tours of barrel rooms and vineyards. Reviewers say this tour is unique and exclusive and especially appreciate the opportunity to chat with the winemakers. Participants also find the wines and gourmet lunch delicious.

Departures from Santa Barbara usually begin around 10 a.m., and the excursion lasts about seven hours. Tickets start at $197 per person and tours run daily year-round. Private wine tours are also available.

I Bike Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours

Price: From $169
Duration: 7 hours

If you're looking for an active way to see area wineries, check out the I Bike Santa Barbara wine tour. The tour begins with transport to your departure point where you'll be outfitted with a bicycle and helmet. The bike tour consists of a 16-mile loop that includes stops at two wine-tasting rooms, an olive oil tasting and a gourmet picnic lunch at a winery. You'll also be treated to a souvenir water bottle, along with information about local wines from a knowledgeable guide. Reviewers say this tour is a great way to learn about local wines while enjoying some exercise. They also praise guides for their attention to safety and their friendly attitudes.

Tours normally depart Santa Barbara daily at 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m. Tickets start at about $170 per person. If you'd like to ride an e-bike, expect to pay a bit more.

View & Book Tickets: Viator

Captain Jack's Santa Barbara Tours – Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Tour

Price: From $150
Duration: 4 hours

If you're looking for a half-day excursion that sticks close to the city, consider this approximately four-hour tour. You won't visit any vineyards, but you will stop by three local tasting rooms in downtown Santa Barbara. Reviewers call this outing informative, fun and relaxing. They also appreciate the restaurant recommendations provided by tour guides.

Tours begin at 1 p.m. daily and conclude by 5 p.m. Prices, which include door-to-door transportation from anywhere in Santa Barbara, as well as tasting fees, start at $150 per participant. The company offers a variety of other wine-tasting tours, including one that travels to the nearby Santa Ynez Valley and tour that visits locations featured in the 2004 film "Sideways."

Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours – Wine Lovers Tour

Price: From $175
Duration: 7.5 hours

This excursion takes a small group (no more than eight people) through the rolling green pastures of Santa Barbara wine country for an educational and delicious day of fun. Guides (many of whom have attained some level of sommelier certification) take participants to three wineries to sample local vino. A picnic lunch is also included. Oenophiles compliment their knowledgeable guides and the wineries selected for the tour. They also appreciate the round-trip hotel transportation included in the fee.

Tickets start at $175 per person and include transportation, lunch and tasting fees and gratuity for your guide. Tours departing from Santa Barbara start at 9:45 a.m.; the tour typically lasts about 7 1/2 hours in total. You can also be picked up from locations like Buellton, Los Olivos, Solvang and Lompoc. Stagecoach also operates private tours, among other options.

Grapeline Wine Tours – Vineyard Picnic Tour

Price: From $189
Duration: 7 hours

For reviewers, the highlight of this full-day excursion is the helpful, well-organized guides. They also appreciate the variety of wineries visited. The Vineyard Picnic Tour offers an all-inclusive experience with stops at three wineries, a catered picnic lunch and round-trip transportation from many local Santa Barbara hotels.

Tickets start at $189 per person. Tours begin departing at 9.a.m. from Santa Barbara hotels. Your day ends around 4 p.m. after which you'll be taken back to your accommodations. Grapeline can also arrange private tours.

Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours – Santa Ynez Wine Tour

Price: From $215
Duration: 6 hours

Venture to the Santa Ynez Valley on this approximately six-hour tour. You'll start the day around 9:30 a.m., when your guide picks you up from your accommodations in Santa Barbara. Then, you'll head to the valley for tastings at three wineries. If you book a weekday tour, you'll also enjoy a locally-sourced lunch. Reviewers praise this tour, complimenting the friendly guides, who travelers say customize the tour based on the group's preferences. Others appreciated that round-trip hotel transportation is included in the price.

Tours, which depart daily, start at $215 per person. The price covers round-trip transportation, tasting fees and lunch (weekday tours only). The company also operates a cupcake and wine tour that includes tastings at two wineries as well as a bakery.

You may also be interested in:

Updated on Aug. 30, 2023: This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.