AFISHA LIFE
Santa Barbara
Explore
Walking Tours
Breakfast and Lunch Food Tasting Experience in Santa Barbara

Breakfast and Lunch Food Tasting Experience in Santa Barbara

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.

City: Santa Barbara

Sat 21 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $67.00

Make a reservation

Sat 21 Jun

Starting at $67.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Indulge in what many locals and visitors alike consider to be the best donut in town, a perfect finale to our culinary exploration.

Choose either Chocolate: croissant dough rolled around two large 41% dark chocolate bars or Almond: butter croissant filled with almond cream and toasted sliced almonds on top with a sweet icing.

Choose either Big Poppa: pastrami, egg, new school American cheese and cream cheese on a toasted half bagel, or Cheezy Eggs: eggs, new school American cheese, and cream cheese on a toasted half bagel.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

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.

Historic Walking Tour of Santa Barbara

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.

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.

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.

Show 1 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (6)

patriciakW9669XE

Sep 2022

Good food and Joseph was knowledgeable about the history of Santa Barbara. It was enjoyable! My brother and his wife were on the tour with me and even though they’ve lived in Santa Barbara many years, they learn new things also.

Nilda_S

Nov 2021

Joseph the tour guide was nice but the food was not I expected. Half a sandwich and 1 macaroon??!! It's not worth 40 dollars per person. So hungry after the tour.

Response from Host

Dec 2021

Nilda, I am sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. As the owner and guide of this recently started small business, I am always looking to improve the tour, so I value your constructive feedback. The intent of the tour was to provide a "skip the line" experience where a visitor would taste food from three locally owned small businesses while learning more about each restaurant and the easily walkable area of Arlington Plaza. The portion size of each of the three tastings are designed to allow room for lunch at the end of the tour at either of the three restaurants or at any of the recommended restaurants we discussed during the tour. That is the reason why we have the tour time slotted from 10am to 12pm so you would be ready for lunch afterwards. I apologize for not making that point clear. In regards to pricing, the cost of the food, the tip for each of the three food tasting locations and the booking platform fees are all included in the $40 price. The value is the "skip the line" experience with a reserved private table at restaurants where lines are extremely long and seating is at a premium. Thank you for your transparency and taking the time to write a review. For anyone reading this review, please note that Nilda only lists two food items. There are actually a total of three food items included in this tour: one for Breakfast, one for Lunch and one for Treat (BLT).

Dana_J

Jul 2021

Our host Joseph was amazing and very informative. Such a people person.. loved him❤️. I will definitely be taking this tour again!