Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara

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Food Tasting Experience and Guided Walking Tour in Santa Barbara

(6)

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Summary

Experience Details

What You’ll Experience

Where to Meet

Reviews

Location

Santa Barbara

Duration

2 hours

Number of Guests

1 - 12 guests

Accessibility

Stroller Accessible

Language

English

Other

Vegetarian, Wheelchair Accessible, Family-friendly, Pet-friendly

Digital Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Discover Santa Barbara's flavors and history on a guided walking tour. Enjoy curated tastings at local eateries while exploring hidden gems. Perfect for food lovers and history enthusiasts!"

For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

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 You Get

Brunch

Either The Locale: Riviera Bread Co., 7 cheese blend, garlic salt with bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory 1/2 waffle, avocado, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, crispy onions, balsamic glaze.

Snacks

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

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.

Gratuities

Good To Know

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

What You’ll Experience

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.

25 minutesAdmission 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.

15 minutesAdmission 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.

10 minutesAdmission 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.

10 minutesAdmission 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.

10 minutesAdmission 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 Company sourdough, 7 cheese blend, garlic salt with choice of bacon, ham or turkey or Waffle-Cado Toast: savory half waffle, avocado, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, crispy onions, balsamic glaze. 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!

25 minutesAdmission 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.

25 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Meeting & Pickup

Meeting Point

Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro, State Street, Santa Barbara County California, United States, US, 93101

Open in Google Maps

We will meet in front of Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro located in the Arlington Plaza. The cross street is Arlington Ave. I will be wearing a white Taste and See SB branded shirt.

End Point

Hook & Press Donuts, East Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara County California, United States, US, 93101

Open in Google Maps

Located in La Arcada Plaza.

Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.
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Reviews

4.3

based on 6 reviews

(TripAdvisor)

A tasty historical peek into Santa Barbara!

October 21, 2024

Joseph was a knowledgeable, humorous and fun tour guide. We appreciated all the tasty stops and the historical tidbits he added! Joseph managed a good balance between fun discussion and historical ...read more

(Viator)

Delish Tate of Santa Barbara

November 05, 2023

A beautiful outing in Santa Barbara with friends. Joseph knowledge of Santa Barbara’s history was interesting.

(TripAdvisor)

Food and some history

March 19, 2023

It is fun to walk through neighborhoods and eat local food, or rather, fun things with a California flare. The guide was knowledgeable, and the snacks were great. The savory breakfast croissant ...read more

(TripAdvisor)

Great fun!

September 27, 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 yea...read more

(Viator)

Not good

November 29, 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.

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