Top Santa Barbara Classes & Workshops

There’s hardly a better place to learn to surf than the Southern California locale of Santa Barbara, which offers fantastic weather year-round. During this 1.5-hour lesson, an expert instructor shows you how to stand up on your surfboard and balance, offering tips on how to catch the perfect wave while ensuring your safety in the water. Wetsuit and surfboard rental are included, and all skill levels are welcome.

Grab a group of friends for a day of wine-tasting fun in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's an all-inclusive tour and you can sample a wide range of locally produced wines without worrying about who's going to drive home after. Visit three wineries where you'll learn more about the wine-making process, see the vineyards, and enjoy a picnic lunch at one.

If you've always wanted to learn how to surf—or you're an amateur looking to bolster your skills—there's no better place to hit the waves than Santa Barbara, one of the top surf towns in California. With this group surf lesson, expect to hit the waves and improve your skills, regardless of experience level. Beginners can cover the basics, like paddling and catching a wave, while more confident surfers can review advanced skills, like cutbacks and floaters.

Ride the waves near Santa Barbara like a pro during this introductory surfing lesson. Get the hang of surfing fundamentals like paddling, ‘reading’ waves, catching waves, and standing up as you learn on the world-famous surfing beaches of Southern California. Your knowledgeable instructors, with more than 25 years of experience combined, will teach you all the skills you need.

Explore the studio, then create your own pieces at this Ojai pottery workshop and studio tour. This is a private experience, for you, or for you and your group (max 8 people). You’ll have a tour of the studio to learn about different styles of pottery and kilns, then you’ll have a demo. After that, you’ll be able to create your own, with help if needed. You will make 3-4 pieces during the workshop

Visitors who want a quick, fun overview of Santa Barbara's highlights will love this 90-minute trolley tour of the American Riviera. Drive past landmarks like the courthouse, the zoo, the Mission, and the Museum of Natural History. Learn about the town's culture and history from live commentary and note places that you might want to return to independently later.

Explore the Santa Barbara wine region by electric bike on a self-guided tour from Los Olivos. Your package includes a Pedego Electric Bike with carrying satchel, wine trail map, and cold bottled water. With an electric bike, you can cover more ground without tiring, and switch on the motor when you need it. Staff are able to make recommendations and reservations to customize your itinerary to your interests.

This private Santa Barbara kayaking tour lets you explore the marine life and landmarks of Santa Barbara Harbor and the spectacular coastline on the ‘American Riviera’ along one of four different routes. Take in views of rugged shoreline cliffs and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and be on the lookout for dolphins and seals. This 1.5- to 2.5-hour tour is led by an experienced kayak guide who points out natural features and customizes the speed of the ride according to your skill level.

Taste some of California's best wines on this tour of California’s Central Coast Wine Region. Enjoy breathtaking views on the way to Santa Ynez Valley on board a luxury passenger van. Our local guide will enhance your wine production knowledge while you tour our partner wineries. Admission to three wineries, lunch and snacks are included with this tasting tour.

Enjoy a picnic and some of Santa Barbara’s best local wines. Tour four vineyards, and sample a variety of wines at each one. See the wine-making process for yourself with a behind-the-scenes explanation from a winemaker. The best vineyards are selected depending on the time of year you visit, so you see a range of wineries with different atmospheres and strengths.

Tour Santa Barbara wine country with a private guide on this full day outing. Perfect for couples and small groups who appreciate exclusivity, this tour visits intimate, family-owned vineyards not typically open to the general public. Get the VIP treatment with tours of the cellars and vineyards, often with the owners themselves. You’ll never stand at a crowded tasting bar on this tour—it’s red carpet treatment all the way.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. Includes use of all kayaking gear.

Discover the great wines of the Santa Ynez valley during a private 4-hour wine tour. This part of Santa Barbara's heralded wine country is home to more than 120 mostly family-owned wineries. You can customize your itinerary in consultation with your private guide to create a half-day tour itinerary that visits the places of your choosing. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lompoc, Buellton, Los Olivos, Solvang, Los Alamo, and Santa Ynez.

Eat delicious lunch food, drink great drinks and learn about downtown Santa Barbara on this 3.5ish-hour walking tour. Indulge your palate for a few hours with sipping, sampling, and savoring. You will enjoy food from 5-6+ local eateries, 1-2 wine tastings or 1 wine tasting plus another alcoholic beverage (depends on the day, it could be wine, beer or a cocktail). Go where locals like to go. This fun, informative and local walking lunch tour is sure to pleasantly fill you up and entertain the whole family. Great for a daytime activity and awesome way to learn about other places to eat and drink on your visit! IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WALKING OR HEALTH ISSUES, please consider a private experience for your group. TOURS CAN EASILY BE MADE PRIVATE - please email, call or text us for more information regarding private experiences.

Explore Santa Barbara's wine country on a private tour for just you and your group of friends or family. You'll visit four wineries for wine tastings of different varietals, plus enjoy a provided lunch. Up to 14 people can be accommodated with pickup and drop-off in Santa Barbara or surrounding towns.

I created this experience to be a very authentic day/morning in the life of a surfer. Not just a surf lesson. Guests and truly treated as family...Like going for a surf with your uncle Micah and really receive not only a comprehensive and thorough lesson, but also are immersed in an authentic experience that for some; create a new passion and way of life. I hope you join me for a fun surf here in Santa Barbara.

Discover the beautiful scenery of the Ojai Valley—and learn or practice the rock-climbing basics—during this private lesson. Choose from multiple convenient start times, and meet your guide in central Ojai. Then, get ready to climb: your guide will instruct you in everything from rappelling and knots to rope management, pulley systems, and more, depending on your experience level and interests.

Stacy, a former Professional player on the tour for 10 years, who competed at The Wimbledon Championships and U.S. Open Championships numerous times, uses her patience and personable nature to have you playing great in no time!

This private painting in the vineyard experience engages all of your senses as you taste through the estate wine and learn to paint the scenery in front of you. Enjoy learning from professional artists who know how to make painting fun!