Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour

The Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour promises an immersive experience for beer enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the city’s vibrant Funk Zone and historic State Street, discovering local breweries that showcase sustainable practices and regional ingredients. With tastings, farm-to-table pairings, and a knowledgeable guide, this 3-hour tour provides a unique opportunity to dive into California’s thriving craft beer culture. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this tour offers a delightful way to uncover the hidden gems of Santa Barbara’s brewing scene.

This experience made our article of The Top 2 Santa Barbara Drinking Tours.

Key Points

• A 3-hour craft beer tour visiting three local breweries in Santa Barbara, featuring sustainable practices, award-winning IPAs, and family-owned blends of traditional and modern techniques.
• Includes exploration of the Funk Zone arts and culinary district, with opportunities to admire murals and stroll down the main commercial hub, State Street.
• Offers a well-rounded experience, pairing craft beer tastings with locally-sourced, seasonal California cuisine for a deeper appreciation of local flavors.
• Provides a personalized experience with a maximum of 8 participants, conducted in English and wheelchair accessible, with a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance.
• Requires a valid ID, as participants must be 21 or older, and transportation to the meeting point at the Santa Barbara Amtrak station is arranged by the participants.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the city’s thriving craft beer scene.

Priced from €114.46 per person, this 3-hour tour is limited to 8 participants and conducted in English.

It’s wheelchair accessible, and the cancellation policy allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

With a reserve now, pay later option, the tour includes craft beer tastings at three local breweries, as well as the chance to learn about their histories and discover downtown Santa Barbara’s lively beer crawl atmosphere.

Exploring the Craft Breweries

As visitors embark on the Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour, they’ll have the opportunity to explore three unique craft breweries, each with its own captivating history and distinct brewing philosophy.

At the first stop, they’ll discover a pioneering brewery that embraces sustainable practices, crafting flavorful beers that showcase the region’s bounty.

The second brewery, housed in a historic building, offers a cozy taproom where guests can sample award-winning IPAs and creative seasonal offerings.

Nestled in a historic building, the second brewery offers a cozy taproom to sample award-winning IPAs and creative seasonal brews.

The final stop features a family-owned operation with a passion for blending traditional and modern brewing techniques to produce exceptional craft beverages.

Downtown Highlights

While exploring the craft breweries, participants in the Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour also get to discover the city’s vibrant downtown hotspots.

The tour visits the Funk Zone, a thriving arts and culinary district, where guests can admire murals and local artwork. They’ll also stroll down State Street, the main commercial hub, taking in the lively atmosphere and charming architecture.

Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable guide shares fascinating cultural insights about the city.

Between brewery stops, guests have the opportunity to purchase fresh, local California cuisine to complement the craft beer tastings.

Culinary Experiences

Along With discovering the vibrant downtown area, the Santa Barbara: Craft Beer Walking Tour also offers an opportunity to pair the craft beer tastings with fresh, local California cuisine. During the tour, participants can choose to enjoy a delightful lunch featuring regional specialties, perfectly complementing the craft beer experience. The tour includes:

| Culinary Highlights | |

| — | — |

| Locally-sourced Ingredients | California-inspired Dishes |

| Seasonal Produce | Artisanal Fare |

| Farm-to-Table Offerings | Opportunity to Pair with Craft Beers |

This culinary component allows visitors to fully enjoy the local flavors of Santa Barbara, creating a well-rounded and memorable craft beer exploration.

More Great Tours Nearby

Craft Beer Culture in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has long been recognized as a hub for craft beer enthusiasts, with a thriving beer scene that has evolved over the past decade.

This vibrant city offers a diverse array of craft breweries, each with its unique character and flavor profiles. Visitors can explore:

1. The Funk Zone, a trendy neighborhood known for its urban wineries, art galleries, and craft breweries.

2. State Street, the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, which boasts an eclectic mix of brewpubs and taprooms.

3. The city’s growing reputation for innovative and award-winning craft beers, attracting beer enthusiasts from near and far.

Meeting the Guide

Guests meet their local guide at the Santa Barbara Amtrak station, arriving 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Melissa, the passionate guide, greets the group with a friendly smile and introduces herself. She explains the plan for the day, highlighting the three unique craft breweries they will visit and the opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant downtown areas.

| Meeting Information | | |

| — | — | — |

| Meeting Point | Santa Barbara Amtrak station | |

| Arrival Time | 10 minutes before start | |

| What to Bring | Passport or ID card | |

Melissa encourages participants to ask questions and engage throughout the tour, ensuring they have an immersive and enjoyable experience exploring Santa Barbara’s thriving craft beer scene.

Tour Logistics

Though the tour begins at the Santa Barbara Amtrak station, participants are free to arrange their own transportation to the meeting point.

While the tour starts at the Santa Barbara Amtrak station, participants can arrange their own transportation to the meeting point.

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and is limited to a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

Key logistics to be aware of include:

1. Arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

2. Bring a valid ID, as participants must be 21 or older to participate.

3. The tour operates rain or shine, so participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

Customer Testimonials

Participants on the Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour have raved about their experiences.

Amber praised the knowledgeable guide, saying she "learned a lot about the city" on the fun-filled tour.

Elizabeth, a self-proclaimed beer lover, called it a "must-do" and created great memories with guide Melissa.

Debbie enjoyed the tour’s mix of fun, history, art, and craft beers, declaring it an experience enjoyed by everyone.

With an impressive 5/5 rating based on 3 reviews, the Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour seems to deliver an exceptional adventure for craft beer enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Beer on the Tour?

No, bringing your own beer is not allowed on the tour. The tour provides a curated selection of craft beer tastings at local breweries, which is included in the tour price and experience.

Do We Get to Keep the Souvenir Beer Glasses?

The tour includes 3 beer tastings, but the souvenir glasses aren’t given to participants to keep. They’re used during the tour and left behind. Guests can purchase additional glassware separately if they’d like a souvenir.

Is It Possible to Add More Beer Tastings?

You can’t add more beer tastings to this tour, as it’s limited to three. However, some participants may be able to purchase additional beers at the breweries if desired. The tour package includes the specified tastings.

Can We Customize the Tour to Visit Specific Breweries?

The tour can be customized to visit specific breweries upon request. Guests can work with the tour operator to create a personalized itinerary that aligns with their interests and preferences, including adding more beer tastings if desired.

How Much Time Do We Have at Each Brewery?

The tour allows about 45-60 minutes at each of the three craft breweries visited. This provides ample time to sample the beers, learn about the brewery’s history, and explore the unique atmosphere of each locale.

The Sum Up

The Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour offers a delightful and sustainable exploration of the city’s thriving beer scene. Visitors can savor local brews, indulge in farm-to-table pairings, and enjoy the vibrant Funk Zone and historic State Street. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this wheelchair-accessible tour provides a memorable experience for beer enthusiasts seeking a taste of Santa Barbara’s craft beer culture.

You can check availability for your dates here: