Santa Barbara Tours & Activities

Santa Barbara, California

Sightseeing & City Tours

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Price: From $37.00

4.6 rating • 853 reviews

Duration: 90 minutes

Meeting point: Departs Thursday - Monday at 1 Garden st. Departure times are 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm.

This tour is operated by an independent third-party provider.All Outdoor Adventures is a marketplace that connects travelers with local tour operators.

Check availability

Overview

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour is a relaxed city overview that pairs coastal scenery with historic landmarks in a comfortable, open-air style ride. As the trolley rolls through town, you pass waterfront icons like Stearns Wharf and East Beach, continue by the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge and Butterfly Beach, and take in the city’s Spanish-influenced architecture around the courthouse and El Presidio district. The route also includes a dedicated stop at Old Mission Santa Barbara, where you have about 10 minutes to look around before rejoining the tour. Along the way, your guide adds practical local context on neighborhoods, history, and daily life, so the experience feels more personal than a standard transfer. It’s an easy way to understand Santa Barbara’s scenic, coastal, and historic character early in your visit.

Highlights

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Itinerary

Pass by

Stearns Wharf

Roll past Stearns Wharf for broad harbor views, fishing-pier history, and a classic first look at Santa Barbara’s shoreline.

Pass by

East Beach

Continue along East Beach, where palms, volleyball courts, and mountain-meets-ocean scenery define the city’s laid-back coastal mood.

Pass by

Andrée Clark Bird Refuge

Pass the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge to see lagoon habitat, walking paths, and one of the quieter nature pockets near the waterfront.

Pass by

Butterfly Beach

Glide by Butterfly Beach, a scenic Montecito stretch known for calm surf, ocean light, and postcard-worthy coastal homes.

Pass by

Natural History Museum

Travel past the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, a longtime local institution set near native landscape and oak-lined grounds.

Stop

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Stop at Old Mission Santa Barbara for about 10 minutes to view the landmark church and grounds; admission ticket is not included.

Admission Not Included

Pass by

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Pass the Santa Barbara County Courthouse to admire its Spanish Colonial Revival design and one of downtown’s signature civic landmarks.

Pass by

El Presidio State Park

Ride by El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, where preserved adobe-era structures reflect the city’s early colonial roots.

Pass by

Santa Barbara Harbor

Finish along the Santa Barbara waterfront with marina views, palm-lined promenades, and a final sweep of the coast.

READY TO BOOK?

Lock in your Santa Barbara adventure today.

Secure your spot, confirm the latest availability, and review final departure details before checkout.

Check availability

Other Tours in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Vineyard to Table Taste Tour by E-Bike

Cycling

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Vineyard to Table Taste Tour by E-Bike

Ride through the towns and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley wine region on this e-bike tour with transport from Santa Barbara.

★ 4.9 (184 reviews)

From $199

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Lock in your Santa Barbara adventure today.

Other Tours in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Vineyard to Table Taste Tour by E-Bike

Discover Santa Barbara Cruise: Narrated Coastal Yacht Experience

Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive)

Parasail High Above the Santa Barbara Coast

Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Santa Barbara Stargazing Tour with PhD Student Guide

Private Surf Lesson with Instructor, Board, & Wetsuit

High Ropes Adventure Course near Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Vineyard to Table Taste Tour by Bike

Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley

Coastal Adventure

Coastal Cruise & Sunset Tour

Coastal Cruise (Azure Seas)

Corporate Wine Tours & Team Building

Create Your Own Adventure

E-Foil Lessons

Foiling

Full Day Island Cruise

Funk Zone Food & Photo Tour

Lourinhã Picnic Winery Experience

Lourinhã Wine Tasting Tour - 3 Wines

Lourinhã Wine Tasting Tour - 6 Wines

Montecito Coastline Dog Friendly Electric Bike and Sidecar Guided Tour

Private Wine Tour

Santa Barbara Harbor and Waterfront Tour

Santa Barbara Sunset Sail

Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour (Shared Tour)

Solvang Food & Photo Tour

Spear Fishing

Sport Fishing

Sunset Cruise (Azure Seas)

The Original Downtown Guided Tour (Mini)

The Original Downtown Santa Barbara Guided Tour

The Santa Barbara Taco Tour

Transportation Only (Non-Tour/ Driver For Hire Service)

Virtual Tour of Downtown Santa Barbara

VSL Group Lesson

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

Wine & Walking Tour Santa Barbara