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ACTIVITIES

Wine Country Things to do

Santa Barbara Trolley Tours
23 E. Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 965-0353
sbtrolley.com

See Santa Barbara in 90 minutes! Fully narrated tours will keep the entire family smiling. All stops are convenient to shopping, dining, landmarks and attractions. Your day pass is good for Free reboarding and special area discounts.

Discover the enchanting seaside Spanish paradise known as Santa Barbara, through a unique fully narrated tour offered by the Santa Barbara Trolley Company.

Imagine the sites and sounds of the "American Riviera" aboard one of the open air nostalgic trolley cars. Visit local hot spots as well as tourist phenomena such as the SB Courthouse, El Presidio, SB Zoo, SB Museum of Natural History, Old Town, Montecito and the Old Mission. Each of the 14 stops have been carefully selected for their exceptional entertaining, dining, shopping or historical significance.

Day passes are available for purchase through the Visitor Information Center or directly from the trolley drivers on board. Passes are valid all day and reboarding is free.

Tour Highlights

  • Stearns Wharf - Enjoy unique gift shops, dining and fishing.
  • Bath House / East Beach - Locals favorite for volleyball and relaxing.
  • Montecito / Montecito Inn - Visit this elegant village, home of fine boutiques and eateries.
  • Butterfly Beach / Biltmore Hotel - A Romantic beach for those who want to take time away from the crowds.
  • El Presidio - Last in chain of four military fortresses built by the Spanish.
  • Visitor Information Center - All info on fun things to see and do in the Santa Barbara area under one roof! Open daily 9am-5pm.
  • Santa Barbara Zoo - View rare and exotic animals from around the globe. Open daily, 10am-5pm.
  • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History - a fun time for all ages. Open daily 10am-5pm.
  • Old Mission - Explore the "Queen of Missions." Self-guided tours onlu. Open daily 9am-5pm.
  • Santa Barbara Courthouse - Admire the stunning architecture of the #1 most photographed building in the nation!


Tour Santa Barbara wineries and Santa Ynez wineries!

The Santa Ynez Valley boasts upwards of fifty fine wineries, set in beautiful rolling hills. It has a reputation as one of the world's premier wine appellations. Wine tours are a fun and unique way to get together with friends and celebrate specials events. "Wine Tours By Trolley" would be happy to coordinate private tasting tours, specially designed to fit your needs. Prices and times will vary.

Ride in comfort on beautiful trolleys. Scenic Wine Tours By Trolley include:

· Custom Designed Trolley
· Wine Tasting Fees
· Lunch from World Famous Deli
· Wine Country Specialist Guide
· Fully Narrated Tour for 10-32 passengers
· Group Discounts and Custom Tours available
· Complimentary champagne and Hor d'oeuvres
· Printed itinerary and vineyard map
· "The Highlight of Your Stay"
· Buttonwood Winery
· Bridlewood Winery
· Rideau Vineyard
· Sunstone Winery
· Custom Group Tours - 10 or more people

Wheel Fun Rentals

23 E. Cabrillo Blvd
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd
101 State Street
Phone: (805) 966-2282
wheelfunrentalssb.com

Welcome to Wheel Fun Rentals, home of the nation's premier recreational rental outlets.

  • Movie: Biking at the Beach
  • Movie: Biking at the Harbor

Fun for the entire family - With over 5 million satisfied customers, Wheel Fun Rentals offer the ultimate in fun and recreation for the entire family, from toddlers to grandparents.

Enjoy the outdoors - a fleet of unique vehicles offer unparalleled outdoor recreation for sightseeing, people watching and a touch of exercise that will enhance any leisure time experience.

The Ride Of Your Life - the entire fleet is designed for fun. Try a Surrey with a fringe on top or a Deuce Coupe, offered in sizes for couples or for the entire family to share.

Check out the pedal go-carts and special three wheel rides that are great for all ages.

Rent bicycles & skates.
Experience scooters & chariots.
And way more...

All products are maintained and serviced regularly, for hours of carefree enjoyment.

Santa Barbara Locations

Wheel Fun Rentals
101 State Street, Santa Barbara
Electric Cars, Scoot Coupes, Vespas
Hours: Weekends 9am - 7pm
Phone: (805) 962-2585
Wheel Fun Rentals
23 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara
All Bike Products
Hours: Everyday 8am - 8pm
Phone: (805) 966-2282
Wheel Fun Rentals
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara
Fess Parker Double Tree Resort
Most Bike Products
Hours: Everyday 9am - 7pm
Phone: (805) 966-2282

Kayaking

Captain Jacks Santa Barbara Tours

KAYAK for as little as $35.00 (Group discounts available). Captain Jacks Santa Barbara Tours conducts guided 2 hr. kayak tours of the Santa Barbara Harbor at 10:30 & 1:30 every day. Experience California's most beautiful harbor on this fun and easy tour. Our professionally guided tour includes a kayak lesson/briefing, all kayak gear and paddles. This tour is the perfect introduction to kayaking and is fun for the entire family. Your tour starts at the boat launch, winds through the harbor, under Stearns Wharf, and out to the one mile buoy. Chances are good the locals will show up to greet you. Dolphin, California sea lions, and harbor seals may cruise by to say hello. (Minimum 2 people). We also offer the following tours: WINE TASTING, HORSEBACK RIDING, HIKING, GLIDER AIRPLANE RIDE, SUNSET & COASTAL CRUISES. You must reserve your tour in advance. Call toll free: 888 810-8687 or Visit our web site: www.captainjackstours.com Santa Barbara Adventure Company - Go with the best! We've been guiding kayak trips in Santa Barbara since 1998! Join us for a day of kayaking at Santa Cruz Island (Prisoner's Bay)! Beautiful Coastal and Harbor trips also available. To see all of our adventures--BIKING, SURFING, HIKING, CLIMBING, TEAMBUILDING and WINE COUNTRY TOURS--visit us at sbadventureco.com or give us a call at 805-898-0671 (toll-free 888-773-3239).

Santa Barbara is in an excellent location for whale watching. Our city is on a southern facing coast and sheltered behind the Channel Islands. It offers us a fabulous opportunity to witness the migration of the gray whales, as well as spot other species of the large marine mammals.

Over 27 different types of whales and dolphins inhabit the Santa Barbara Channel at various times of the year, making these waters one of the best whale watching areas in the world.

There are two windows of opportunity to see whales around Santa Barbara. During February, March and early April you can see California Grey Whales. From May to September you can see Blue Whales, Minke Whales and Humpback Whales. Occasionally, you can see Right Whales or Orcas. All season long you have an excellent chance of seeing dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions.

Guided Horseback Ride's for as little at $35.00
www.captainjackstours.com
(888) 810-8687 or (805) 564-8687

Family Special: Your "family day tour" will start with a beautiful 2 hr Santa Barbara Harbor kayak tour. Then you'll enjoy lunch on Santa Barbara's pier (Stearns Wharf). Next you will be escorted to the Santa Ynez Valley for a taste of the "wild west" of yesterday as you pet barnyard animals, ride horses, or for the younger cowpokes there's even a hand lead pony ride! There is a short hike up to a waterfall, a playground for the kids, and even a "free" video arcade (Something for everyone to enjoy). Then wine tasting for the adults at 2 of the finest wineries in the Santa Ynez valley as your guide/activities director keeps the kids busy. Finally you'll be escorted back to Santa Barbara. Tour includes all transportation, Calif. park fees, lunch, horseback ride, kayaking and wine tasting fees. You must reserve this tour in advance. To see this tour and more visit: www.captainjackstours.com

Surfing

Online Surf Resources

  • Tim Maddux Santa Barbara surfing guide
  • Surfrider - Santa Barbara Chapter
  • Surfrider - Ventura Chapter
  • Daily Rincon surf report
  • Live NOAA Buoy Data 12 nautical miles Southwest of Santa Barbara

Surf Business Directory

A-Frame Surf
Surfboards, clothing, wetsuits & more
3785 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria
805-684-8803

Aquatics
Scuba, wetsuits & more
5822 Hollister Ave, Goleta
805-967-4456

Backdoor Board Shop
Surf, skate & snow
1693 Mission Dr, Solvang
805-686-5886

Beach House (Surf & Wear)
Clothes, boards & more
10 State Street, Santa Barbara
805-963-1281

Blue Pacific
Beachwear, wetsuits, skateboards & more
286 S. Fairview, Goleta
805-967-7151
905 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria
805-566-4990

Carvin Surfboards
286 S. Fairview Ave, Goleta
805-967-7265

Channel Islands Surfboards
Largest selection of boards by Al Merrick
29 State St, Santa Barbara
805-966-7213

Davey Smith Surf Academy
711 Palermo Dr, Santa Barbara
805-687-5436

Dings Happen
208 Gray Ave, Santa Barbara
805-884-8797

Glassaire Surfboards
712 Nopalitos Wy, Santa Barbara
805-966-7726

Haakenson Bob Fiberglass
26 S. La Patera Ln, Goleta
805-964-3036

Isla Vista Surf Company
901 Embarcadero Del Norte, Isla Vista
805-968-1145

Morningstar Boardshop
Surfboards, wetsuits, clothing, bodyboards & snowboards
179 S. Turnpike, Santa Barbara
805-967-8288

Morningstar KTYD Surfline
179 S. Turnpike, Santa Barbara
805-967-7411

Ocean Driven Surf Photography
by Nick Presniakov
Nick@oceandriven.com
805-705-8278

Play It Again Sports
4850 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara
805-967-9889

Proctor Surfboards
City of Camarillo
805-491-8973

Progressive Surfboards
Dave Johnson advanced design
26 S. La Patera #F, Goleta
805-967-1340

Rincon Designs
657 Linden Ave, Carpinteria
805-684-2413

Rippin Stix Surfboards
36 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara
805-962-0633

Santa Barbara Adventure Company
P.O. Box 208
Santa Barbara CA 93102
805-898-0671
888-773-3239

Santa Barbara Water Sports
Sales, rentals, instruction, tours
117 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara
805-962-6550

Sundance Beach
809 State St, Santa Barbara
805-963-6969

Surf Country
Surfoards, apparel, repairs, rentals, lessons
5668 Calle Real, Goleta
805-683-4450

Surf & Wear KTYD Surf Report
210 State State St. Santa Barbara
805-962-7873

Wayne Riders
6416 Hollister Ave, Goleta
805-685-7711

Wilderness Surfboards
317 S. Alisos, Santa Barbara
805-962-9518

Yater's Surfboards
Showroom, custom ordering
10 State St, Santa barbara
805-963-1281
Factory
222 E. Yanonali, Santa Barbara
805-966-2006

Beaches

Santa Barbara County has many popular surf locations . Here we showcase one location that many surfers consider the crown jewel of wave riding in our area: Rincon Point.

Rincon Point, 15 minutes south of Santa Barbara, is known world wide as one of the planet's top surfing spots. Nearly every major surf champion on the globe has taken Rincon for a test drive.

If you are driving the 101 freeway, exit Bates Rd. On most days parking is plentiful at Rincon. When entering Rincon, the parking to your left has a path right to the south size of the surf zone. The parking lot to your right has mountainside stairs that take you to the beach just north of the point.

Santa Barbara is blessed with beautiful beaches - most of which face south rather than west. A visitor once remarked, "I knew Santa Barbara was unique, but I didn't realize the sun set in the north!" No, the laws of physics are not different here, but the quality and quantity of our beaches - now that's different!

I don't know what the actual beach per capita ratio is, but it's definitely better than average. Even so, on weekends beaches tend to be packed. Just remember, nobody really likes getting up before 10 a.m., so the early bird gets the sand, if you catch my drift.

Hendry's Beach - Officially named Arroyo Burro Beach , this beach has an ideal location, a sense of privacy and plenty of amenities. The only drawback is the lack of parking. Go early and linger. It's worth the extra sunscreen.
Butterfly Beach - One of the few west-facing beaching, you can actually catch a sunset here. Private and in the midst of a very exclusive neighborhood, this beach draws an interesting crowd.
Carpinteria State and City Beaches - You get two beaches rolled into one very long stretch of gorgeous sand. The beauty of the State Beach is you can set up camp surf-side. The beauty of the City beach is its easy access. Many a local brings lunch to eat and watch the waves.
East Beach - East Beach is in the middle of everything and has it all. If you get bored with the sun and volleyball, you can find a restaurant, swing by the zoo, rent some blades or walk along the wharf. The only drawback is the parking. Go early and make a day of it or go later and prepare to walk. Either way, this is a wonderful beach for just about any member of your group.
El Capitan Beach (and State Park) - We LOVE this beach. It is gorgeous, private, long, and you have an excellent chance of spotting a dolphin or two. Of course, I love reading, swimming and getting a great tan. The lack of non-water entertainment is a big plus. If you're easily bored bring toys.
Gaviota Beach (and State Park) - This is a quirky little beach about 20 minutes north of Goleta. It has a railway trestle running between the parking lot and the beach and a very long, tall fishing pier.
Goleta Beach - Another favorite of just about everybody. This beach is for the easily bored. Between the excellent restaurant, volleyball, picnic and fishing facilities, you could entertain an entire cadre of folks - which is probably why its a local favorite for company picnics.
Leadbetter Beach - Centrally located and busy, this beach offers plenty to do. It is a popular haunt for windsurfers, catamaran pilots, surfers and walkers. Leadbetter is between Shoreline park and the breakwater. Each summer this beach hosts weekly sporting events, parties and it's not uncommon to see a radio station hosting something interesting.
Refugio Beach (and State Park) - Just a bit further out than El Capitan, this beach is truly unique. It has a charm all its own that makes it worth the extra ten-minute drive up the coast.
West Beach - Although not the most glamorous, this beach hosts a number of sporting events, including the Hawaiian outrigger lessons. Nestled between the Wharf and the Breakwater, you can enjoy the boats coming and going, as well as the variety of people walking by.


Beach Tips

There are a couple of survival tips you should keep in mind to enjoy Santa Barbara beaches.

  1. The sun is hot, even though the cool breezes off the ocean make it seem otherwise. Use the sunscreen often, liberally and everywhere. Bring along a hat, too. You see a lot of Santa Barbara natives with hats because it protects even better than sunscreen.

  2. Bring lots of water. Most of our beaches do have stores and vendors nearby, but we prefer to spend our money on ice cream, hot dogs and chips.

  3. Invest in a pair of those little jelly beach shoes. We have beautiful beaches that tend to have oil leaks. It's not something we like to talk about, but tar makes a mess of rugs, shoes and everything white.

 

Rose Garden Inn Santa Barbara
  • (805) 687-6461
  • 3643 State St
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Handicapped ADA Web Accessible Website

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