Santa Barbara is a fantastic place to indulge in unique drinking experiences, thanks to its vibrant craft beer scene, coastal charm, and creative food craft. Whether you’re into tasting local brews, designing your own chocolates, or sipping wine during a sunset cruise, Santa Barbara offers a wide array of options that suit different tastes and interests.
We’re especially fond of the Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop — it’s a sweet way to combine culinary artistry with a fun craft project, and it’s perfect for anyone wanting a more hands-on experience. Plus, it’s highly rated and offers vegan options, making it accessible for many.
If craft beer is your style, Santa Barbara’s local beer scene doesn’t disappoint. Both the Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour and the Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl showcase the city’s lively breweries and lively neighborhoods like the Funk Zone, giving you a taste of local culture alongside the drinks.
For a relaxed, scenic evening, consider the Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar, which offers stunning coastal views and a chance to unwind with local wines and craft beers on board.
1. Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop
At number 1 on our list is the Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop — a delightful experience for those wanting to combine creativity with sweet flavors. Priced at $58 per person, this hands-on workshop lasts from 1 to 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to craft your own chocolate bar with a large selection of toppings, including vegan options.
The highlight here is learning how to temper and make craft chocolate in a real micro-batch factory, which adds authenticity and insight into the process.
What makes this experience stand out is the chance to design and personalize your own chocolate bar, then paint a wooden box to store your creations. It’s ideal for people who enjoy culinary arts, DIY projects, or simply want a memorable souvenir to take home. The workshop also offers a chance to learn about different flavor profiles from cacao beans sourced from around the world.
This tour is great for families, couples, or anyone interested in a creative food activity that’s a little different from the usual wine or beer tasting. While it’s more of a craft than a traditional drinking tour, the focus on high-quality, vegan-friendly chocolate makes it a sweet alternative for those wanting something unique.
Bottom Line: A fun, educational experience perfect for chocolate lovers and creative types looking for a meaningful souvenir.
2. Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour
Ranking second is the Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour, which costs $125 per person for a lively 3-hour exploration of the city’s emerging craft beer scene. During this tour, you’ll visit three of the best local breweries, each known for their unique styles and innovative brews. The tour includes tastings at each stop, giving you a genuine taste of Santa Barbara’s sophisticated beer culture.
What makes this tour special is the mix of beer appreciation with urban exploration. You’ll learn about the history of each brewery, hear interesting cultural facts, and visit notable neighborhoods like the Funk Zone and State Street — Santa Barbara’s buzzing hotspots for food, art, and drink. The guide shares insights into the brewing process and local influences, making it both educational and enjoyable.
This tour suits beer enthusiasts eager to explore multiple breweries without the hassle of planning, or travelers who want a social experience with plenty of tastings. Keep in mind, the focus is on craft beers, not wines or spirits.
Bottom Line: A lively, well-rounded introduction to Santa Barbara’s craft beer scene, perfect for those who want to taste and learn in a social setting.
3. Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl
The Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl takes the third spot and offers a comprehensive 3.5-hour experience for $140 per person. This tour combines visits to three outstanding local breweries with a walking tour of Santa Barbara’s historic downtown and waterfront neighborhoods. It’s an excellent choice for those who want to combine beer tasting with a bit of sightseeing.
The tour starts in the Funk Zone, a vibrant neighborhood rich in murals, art galleries, and innovative breweries like those found in the guide’s carefully selected stops. During the walk, you’ll pass landmarks like the historic train station and State Street, getting a sense of Santa Barbara’s cultural fabric while sampling some of the region’s best craft beers.
The tour includes an option to purchase lunch at a local restaurant, featuring fresh California ingredients, making it convenient for a full-day outing.
While it doesn’t have reviews yet, the itinerary’s emphasis on both local brews and city highlights makes it appealing for those who want a mix of education and sightseeing. The tour’s flexible nature and focus on regional influence make it suited for curious travelers who want to experience Santa Barbara’s diverse neighborhoods.
Bottom Line: An ideal pick for those who want a robust combination of beer tasting, city exploration, and cultural insight.
4. Santa Barbara Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar
For a different kind of drinking experience, the Santa Barbara Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar offers an enchanting 1.5-hour escape from land, priced at $55.25 per person. Departing from Stearns Wharf, this cruise provides spectacular views of the coastline and Santa Ynez mountains, making it one of the most scenic ways to enjoy a drink.
The cruise features a fully stocked bar that includes local wines, craft beers, and cocktails — perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. You can purchase snacks onboard, or bring your own. As you glide along the water, you’ll witness Santa Barbara’s stunning sunset and the city’s skyline, making it an ideal romantic outing or relaxed get-together with friends.
This experience is less about tasting multiple drinks and more about enjoying a moment in a beautiful setting, with the coast as your backdrop. It’s suitable for travelers who want a memorable, laid-back evening that combines scenery with drinks.
Bottom Line: A relaxing way to toast Santa Barbara’s sunsets, perfect for romantic evenings or unwinding with a small group.
How to Choose
When deciding between these Santa Barbara drinking tours, consider your priorities: Are you after a hands-on, edible craft like Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making? Or do you prefer exploring multiple breweries (both the Craft Beer Walking Tour and the History Crawl)? Perhaps a scenic, relaxing evening on the water appeals more, making the Sunset Yacht Cruise your best bet.
Think about your budget, available time, and whether you want a structured tasting or a more informal experience. Book early during peak seasons — summer and weekends fill up fast, especially for the yacht cruise.
Santa Barbara offers a variety of enjoyable ways to indulge in local flavors and scenery, whether through craft brewing, chocolate making, or sunset sailing. For those who love to taste and explore, this city’s drinking tours provide plenty of memorable moments.
For a sweet start, craft beer adventures, or scenic boat rides, there’s something here to match different tastes and plans. Pick what excites you most and reserve early to secure your spot.