Which Santa Barbara City Tours To Choose? We Rank The 6 Best

Santa Barbara is a city that’s built for exploring. With its blend of Spanish architecture, palm-lined streets, and stunning oceanfront views, it offers a perfect setting for engaging city tours. Whether you’re a biking enthusiast eager to cruise along sandy beaches or craving a bird’s-eye perspective with a helicopter ride, Santa Barbara has options that suit different tastes and interests.

Our favorites include the City & Sand Electric Bike Tour for its unique oceanfront sand riding and the Private Mountain and City Helicopter Flight for breathtaking aerial views. Both provide a different perspective on this beautiful coastal city, making them memorable highlights of any trip.

Santa Barbara’s combination of outdoor activity, scenic beauty, and cultural charm makes it a lively place to explore. The tours on this list showcase the city’s highlights while giving you the flexibility to pick an experience that matches your sense of adventure or relaxation.

Whether it’s pedaling past historic landmarks or soaring over the mountains, you’ll find a way to see the best of Santa Barbara.

Quick Overview

This list features a variety of city tours, including electric bike adventures along beaches and streets, private helicopter flights, and combo tours that mix surfing, hiking, and sightseeing. You’ll find options perfect for active travelers, those seeking a scenic overview, or visitors wanting a personalized experience.

To help you make the best choice, we’ve reviewed each tour’s highlights, reviews, and value. Read on to see which tour fits your style.

1. City & Sand Electric Bike Tour

Rated 5.0/5 based on 79 reviews, this tour offers a one-of-a-kind experience riding a fat-tire electric bike along Santa Barbara’s beaches. It’s the only tour that takes you right on the sand of East Beach, West Beach, and Butterfly Beach, giving you a front-row seat to the ocean. The pedal-assist e-bike makes for easy riding, even on sandy terrain, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

What makes this tour stand out is its combination of oceanfront riding and cultural sights. Your guide will lead you along the promenade on State Street, the heart of Santa Barbara’s shopping and dining scene, and through the historic harbor. You’ll experience everything from swaying palms to Spanish-style architecture—each stop designed for maximum photo ops.

Reviews praise the tour’s flexibility and knowledgeable guides. One reviewer said, “Andrei was an amazing guide!!! The bikes were so fun and riding through the sand was an amazing experience. Highly recommend this tour.” It’s perfect for active travelers who want a relaxed, scenic way to cover a lot of ground, including the beach areas that are tricky by foot.

Bottom Line: This tour offers a fun, scenic, and easy way to see Santa Barbara’s beaches and city highlights on two wheels, making it ideal for all fitness levels.

2. Santa Barbara: Electric Bike City Tour

Rated 4.9/5 from 24 reviews, this tour emphasizes scenic views and local insights. It’s a 2.5-hour guided ride that explores Santa Barbara’s coast and downtown, with an emphasis on discovering hidden gems alongside notable landmarks. The high-end electric bikes can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, allowing you to cover more ground comfortably.

The tour’s flexibility is a big plus—guests can opt for a private or group experience, tailoring the pace and stops to your interests. Guides share stories and facts about the city’s architecture, neighborhoods, and history, making it both fun and informative. For those wanting to experience Santa Barbara’s less-touristed spots while soaking up the sunshine, this tour hits the mark.

While some might wish for a longer ride, the 2.5 hours is enough to see highlights without feeling rushed. Reviewers appreciate the easy ride and the chance to learn about the city from a local perspective.

Bottom Line: If you want to combine scenic coast views with cultural insights, this customizable electric bike tour offers excellent value and a relaxed pace.

3. Santa Barbara: City & Sand Electric Bike Tour

Rated 5/5 from 5 reviews, this tour is a more comprehensive experience focusing on scenic biking trails, historic landmarks, and beach riding. It includes adventures on bike paths, roads, and even sandy beaches—an excellent choice for those who want variety and a bit of adventure.

The highlight is riding on the sand of East, Butterfly, and West Beaches, coasting alongside the gentle waves in an electric bike designed for sandy terrain. Your local guide will share stories about Santa Barbara’s landmarks and natural surroundings, making it an engaging educational experience.

What makes it stand out is the combination of trail biking, ocean views, and beach riding. It’s suitable for those comfortable on bikes and looking for a deeper exploration of Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. The $125 price reflects its extensive scope, providing a full 2.5-hour ride.

One review states, “Discover Santa Barbara via bike path, road, and sand—this tour really gives you a well-rounded view of the city and coast.” It’s perfect for active travelers who want a more adventurous bike experience.

Bottom Line: The most comprehensive electric bike tour on our list that blends trails, beaches, and city sights for a full day of exploration.

4. Private Mountain and City Helicopter Flight Santa Barbara

Rated 5.0/5 from 2 reviews, this 25-minute helicopter flight offers a breathtaking aerial view of Santa Barbara, its mountains, and coast. It’s the most immersive way to capture the panoramic beauty of the region in a short time.

Starting at 515 Marxmiller Place in Goleta, the flight takes you over downtown Santa Barbara, then through the Ynez Mountains to Lake Cachuma, passing Lizard Mouth Rock and following the Ynez River canyon. The highlights include views of the beaches, mountains, and lakes—a truly memorable perspective only accessible from the sky.

Reviewers praise the smooth ride and the professional, friendly service. This tour is ideal for travelers wanting a quick, high-impact experience that delivers a spectacular overview of Santa Barbara’s geography.

While a helicopter ride isn’t cheap, at $300 per person it offers outstanding value for the once-in-a-lifetime views. It’s best suited for those comfortable with flying and looking for a special treat.

Bottom Line: If you want a quick, visual feast of Santa Barbara’s landscape, this helicopter tour is a top choice for the thrill-seeker and scenery lover alike.

5. Santa Barbara: City Highlights Bike Tour

Rated without a specific score, this 2-hour bike tour is a leisurely way to explore Santa Barbara’s waterfront and downtown. It’s perfect for those who want a relaxed pace and informative narration along the way.

Covering the Santa Barbara waterfront, Funk Zone District, and other key areas, the tour provides beautiful views and insights into local history and culture. The flexible itinerary allows adding destinations you’re curious about, making it suitable for customized experiences.

A key advantage is the brief duration, ideal for travelers with limited time or those who prefer a slow-paced exploration over a vigorous ride. The tour is good for families or beginners who want to get their bearings without rushing.

Guests enjoy the informative commentary from guides who know the city well. It’s a straightforward way to see Santa Barbara’s highlights without breaking a sweat.

Bottom Line: Perfect for relaxed explorers or first-timers wanting a flexible, scenic overview of Santa Barbara’s waterfront and downtown.

6. Santa Barbara: Surf, Yoga, Hike, Hot Springs, and City Tour

Rated without a specific score, this full-day tour offers an active, wellness-focused experience. It combines surf lessons, a hot spring hike, and city sightseeing, making it ideal for travelers who want more than just sightseeing.

You’ll start with a professional surf instructor teaching you how to ride the waves in the Pacific. Afterward, a scenic hike takes you to a local hot spring for soaking. The tour also includes a quick visit to the Santa Barbara Mission and Rose Gardens for a relaxing stroll, and a pass to a top yoga studio.

This 6-hour experience is suited for physically active travelers eager to combine adventure, relaxation, and cultural sites. It’s more intensive and best suited for those with a decent fitness level who want to make the most of their day.

While pricier at $130 per person, it offers a full immersion into Santa Barbara’s natural and cultural charm, making it a great choice for wellness-minded travelers.

Bottom Line: Ideal for active visitors looking to learn to surf, enjoy hot springs, and see Santa Barbara’s sights in a full-day adventure.

How to Choose

When selecting a tour, consider your budget, fitness level, and interests. If you love beach scenery and want a laid-back ride, the City & Sand Electric Bike Tour offers beach access and ocean views. For a quick, breathtaking experience, the Private Helicopter Flight provides an unforgettable aerial perspective.

Those who enjoy casual exploration with local stories might prefer the City Highlights Bike Tour, while active adventurers might go for the Santa Barbara: Surf, Yoga, Hike, Hot Springs. And if you’re looking for a combination of outdoor activities and sightseeing, the Santa Barbara: City & Sand Electric Bike Tour is perfect.

Booking early, especially for helicopter or private tours, ensures availability during peak seasons. Consider the best time to visit — spring and fall usually offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds.

Final Thoughts

Santa Barbara offers a rich variety of city tours that cater to different interests and activity levels. For relaxed sightseeing, the City Highlights Bike Tour is perfect, while thrill-seekers might prefer the Helicopter Flight. If beach adventures and scenic riding are your focus, the City & Sand Electric Bike Tour provides an unforgettable experience.

For those seeking a full day of active fun, the Surf, Yoga, Hike, Hot Springs offers a well-rounded adventure. Whatever your style, Santa Barbara’s tours promise memorable views and unique ways to experience this beautiful city. Be sure to book early and enjoy your trip to “America’s Riviera.”