The three most popular Santa Barbara food tours
| Tour | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown walking food & drink tour | About 3 to 4 hours | First-time visitors who want a big sampler of downtown |
| Funk Zone food & photo tour | About 3 hours | Adults who want food plus beer, wine and spirits tastings |
| Wine & chocolate history walk | About 3.5 hours | Wine lovers who like a side of history |
Details below come from each tour's Viator listing in October 2026. Times and stops can change, so check the listing before you book.
Downtown Santa Barbara walking food tour
This is the classic: a guided walk through downtown with stops at five or six local eateries and drinks along the way. It starts around midday near El Paseo, a historic shopping arcade in the 800 block of State Street, and it's one of the highest-rated tours in Santa Barbara on Viator, with hundreds of reviews. Come hungry; the tastings add up to a full meal.
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Funk Zone food and drink tour
The Funk Zone is the old industrial neighborhood between downtown and the beach, now packed with tasting rooms, breweries, restaurants and galleries. This small-group tour (eight guests at most) visits three eateries plus a microbrewery, wineries and a distillery, with photo stops along the way. It meets near the bottom of State Street. You must be 21 or older to drink.
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Wine and chocolate walking tour
Prefer to sip? This downtown walk pairs two wine tasting rooms with chocolate and local history. It passes through La Arcada, a courtyard of shops off State Street, and finishes in the gardens of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Want to go deeper on wine afterward? See our wine tasting guide.
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FAQ
What is the best food tour in Santa Barbara?
For a first visit, the downtown walking food and drink tour is the classic choice and one of the highest-rated tours in town on Viator. For drinks with your bites, try the Funk Zone food and photo tour.
How long is a Santa Barbara food tour?
Most run about 3 to 4 hours, according to their Viator listings in October 2026.
Is there a Funk Zone food tour?
Yes. A small-group Funk Zone food and photo tour visits three eateries plus a microbrewery, wineries and a distillery in about 3 hours. Guests must be 21+ to drink.
Are Santa Barbara food tours walking tours?
Yes. All three tours on this page are on foot, in downtown or the Funk Zone.
Keep exploring
Turn it into a full day with our one-day itinerary, plan a romantic evening with date night ideas, or head to wine country on a Solvang day trip.