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Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara

5 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Santa Barbara, USA
Book online or call us

from $106 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
The best donuts in town!
Dining area - Hook & Press Donuts
Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara Image 3
Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara Image 4
Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Travel is about immersing yourself in the local culture. One way to do that is through food. Join us for a delectable journey through Santa Barbara's vibrant food scene while soaking in its rich history and beautiful architecture. This two-hour Saturday morning adventure is perfect for food lovers and history buffs alike. Immerse yourself with the help of a local gifted storyteller passionate about living "La Dolce Vita." At 3 unique local restaurants within the Historic Theatre District you'll enjoy a guided, curated food tasting.

Equal parts food tasting and equal parts easy walking, this tour strikes a perfect balance of guided activity and epicurean exploration. See parts of Downtown Santa Barbara that most visitors miss, as we saunter through some of the hidden paseos and learn about the history of key iconic sights in the Historic Theatre District. At the end of the tour, you will have learned how to successfully navigate the Santa Barbara foodie scene like a seasoned local.

What's Included

  • Breakfast Either Chocolate: butter croissant dough rolled around 2 large 41% dark chocolate bars or Almond: butter croissant filled with almond cream and toasted sliced almonds on top with a sweet icing.
  • Brunch Either The Locale: sourdough, 4 cheese: cheddar, jack, mozz, gruyere, garlic salt with bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory 1/2 waffle, avocado, sea salt, everything seasoning, hot honey.
  • Snacks Indulge in what many locals and visitors alike consider to be the best donut in town, a perfect finale to our culinary exploration.
  • Gratuities
See 1 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

1324 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

15 East Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Located in La Arcada Plaza.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Arlington Plaza

Our first stop at Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro transports you to the heart of Paris with a taste of authentic French cuisine fresh enough that it could easily come from a side walk cafe or boulangerie. Renaud and Nicole Gonthier founded Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro in anticipation of Santa Barbara's desire for and lack of a quality French pastry and croissant venue. Renaud's is the fulfillment of a life-long dream, that of creating refined pastries from the best ingredients available with a focus on quality and detail in every dish. Choose either Chocolate or Almond croissant. Savor the flaky goodness while you take in the classy yet casual vibes in the beautiful courtyard while also learning the interesting culinary pedigree of this restaurant's namesake. Fun fact: Renaud appeared on two episodes of The Food Network's Emeril Live. Then, in August of 2007, Renaud was again featured on The Food Network, this time on an episode of Sugar Rush with Warren Brown.
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Arlington Theatre

Next, we talk about the history of Arlington Plaza, including the Arlington Hotel and the iconic Arlington Theatre on State Street in Downtown Santa Barbara’s historic theatre district. This area features a curated collection of the very best locally owned dining and retail in Santa Barbara.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Arlington Theatre

In the El Pueblo Viejo Historic District, there are charming pedestrian walkways, called paseos, that snake through Santa Barbara and are often overlooked by visitors. Dating back to Spanish California days, they were expanded when the downtown was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1925. It is here, along these twists and turns, that past and present are nestled side by side, with some buildings dating from the 1700s through the 1800s and embodies the best of Santa Barbara's Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. In this section, we will explore the former VIP limousine entrance as well as the transformed 125 space parking lot on the north side of the iconic Arlington Theater.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Santa Barbara Public Market

Next, we explore the premier open-space food hall of the Public Market, a Santa Barbara legacy that showcases the incomparable bounty of California’s Central Coast since 2014. This unique space was the first and only of its kind in Santa Barbara; a space created to be shared by multiple restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and food counters that would allow for newer restaurateurs to try out novel ideas. Here you will find a wide selection of artisanal food and drinks to please any palate, conveniently located under one roof.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Granada Theatre

Prepare to discover white stucco walls, memorable red tile roofs, flower bedecked courtyards, hidden passageways, notable restaurants, world-class performing arts theaters and museums. The next paseo we encounter is Victoria Court. Once we get through the maze to the other side, we will take a little stroll on State Street past the iconic 1924 Granada Theater. This is home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, and Opera Santa Barbara. Then we meander through the San Marcos Building. Exiting this pre-1925 arcade brings us right in front of the 1941 Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a building that was at one time the Santa Barbara Post Office (1912–1932). Now, it is home to a collection of ancient through contemporary works and photography represented by Asian, European and American artists. Afterward, we make our way through our last charming paseo. Lined with restaurants, shops and galleries, the 1926 La Arcada will definitely evoke images of Spain.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Goodland Waffles and Melts

At our second stop Goodland Waffles and Melts, we will introduce you to a unique restaurant experience that has locals standing in a long line waiting for that perfect bite. Choose either The Locale: Riviera Bread beer-to-bread sourdough, 4 cheese blend (Cheddar/Jack/Mozz/Gruyere), garlic salt with choice of bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory 1/2 waffle, avocado, sea salt, everything seasoning, hot honey. Fun fact: Waffles became a way of life when the chef's wife was pregnant with their first child. It was the one thing she craved throughout her pregnancy, so he set out to make the best waffle he could. Their waffles are unlike any waffle you’ve had before. Light, airy, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender! From classic Belgian waffles to sweet and savory creations that'll have you drooling, they have got a waffle for every craving. And don't forget about their melts! Imagine gooey, melted cheese sandwiched between perfectly toasted bread - it's a match made in heaven!
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Historic La Arcada Courtyard

Our final tasting stop is a sweet treat in a grown-up Candyland. Indulge in what many locals and visitors alike consider to be the best donut in town, a perfect finale to our culinary exploration. Although the aesthetic is carefully curated for Instagram-worthy shots, there is nothing superficial about their truly delicious menu. Inspired by nouveau donut artists such as Sidecar Doughnuts in Santa Monica, Hook & Press is taking what a typical donut shop would do and elevates it by using an overnight brioche dough made with European-style butter, eggs, whole milk, sugar, and salt. Then prepare to satiate all your sugar-laden dreams by enjoying a sample off their gourmet donut menu which changes seasonally. Angela Borda wrote in Food & Home Magazine that the “donut masterpieces” are “unusual enough that people are tagging them on Instagram". Fun fact: “Hook” refers to the mixing attachment used to make the dough, and “Press” for coffee, which is the donut's finest accompaniment.
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-312565P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
5 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
5
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Breakfast. Either Chocolate: butter croissant dough rolled around 2 large 41% dark chocolate bars or Almond: butter croissant filled with almond cream and toasted sliced almonds on top with a sweet icing.
  • Brunch. Either The Locale: sourdough, 4 cheese: cheddar, jack, mozz, gruyere, garlic salt with bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory 1/2 waffle, avocado, sea salt, everything seasoning, hot honey.
  • Snacks. Indulge in what many locals and visitors alike consider to be the best donut in town, a perfect finale to our culinary exploration.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 18..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • BreakfastEither Chocolate: butter croissant dough rolled around 2 large 41% dark chocolate bars or Almond: butter croissant filled with almond cream and toasted sliced almonds on top with a sweet icing.
  • BrunchEither The Locale: sourdough, 4 cheese: cheddar, jack, mozz, gruyere, garlic salt with bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory 1/2 waffle, avocado, sea salt, everything seasoning, hot honey.
  • SnacksIndulge in what many locals and visitors alike consider to be the best donut in town, a perfect finale to our culinary exploration.
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

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Activity name