Santa Barbara Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour
Duration
1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
Languages
English
Skip the line
Included
Learn about the 1925 earthquake and the city’s impressive rebuilding efforts
Explore charming white adobe buildings with red-tile roofs and elegant arches
Learn about visionaries who shaped the city’s architecture and cultural identity
Explore the city anytime with a tour that never expires and is always available
€ 8.11
€ 7.46
Contact us 24x7
Adult
Child
Reserve with peace of mind —
Enjoy unlimited changes and full refund options.
Exceptional flexibility
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
24/7/365 Customer support - When you need us we are here
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Explore the vibrant streets of Santa Barbara, where history and architecture come alive at every turn. This self-guided walking tour begins at the Santa Barbara Public Market and winds through the city’s iconic streets, where white adobe buildings, red-tile roofs, and elegant arches create a distinct Mediterranean charm. Along the way, you’ll uncover stories of the Spanish missions, the resilience of the city after the 1925 earthquake, and the visionaries whose designs shaped Santa Barbara’s architectural identity. Every corner tells a story, and the city’s charm and character are revealed step by step through immersive smartphone-guided narration.
Discover a flexible and hands-free experience that allows you to explore Santa Barbara at your own pace. The location-aware tour plays automatically as you walk, guiding you through historic landmarks, lively streets, and hidden gems without ever needing a human guide. The tour never expires, giving you the freedom to stop, go, and revisit your favorite sites anytime, day or night. With engaging storytelling and the convenience of our walking tour app, Santa Barbara’s history is always in the palm of your hand.
Santa Barbara walking tour on our app
Go at your own pace anytime
GPS guided, location aware, hands free
Engaging stories bring the city to life
Food and drink
App guided, fully outdoor,human guide
Gratuities
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Camera
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation nearby
Minimum age of participants 6
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Activity Provider: WalknTours
Customer Reviews
Amenda
We took the Old Town Tour and visited couple of architect Jeff Shelton’s buildings and met the architect himself ! What a special experience! And thanks to John and Craig made it possible for us. I hope such concept permeates to many neat cities in the U.S.:pay as you can/want and encourage all visitors to appreciate the place at another level.
Melanie
I would 100% recommend taking the tours from this company! We are local SoCal-ers and frequent Santa Barbara visitors, yet everything felt fresh and new, and we learned so much from this tour. Had John as our guide on a weekday, private tour of Old Town Santa Barbara. He's the founder and owner of this tour company. From setting up the tour to guiding us on the day, John provided us topnotch communication and service. This tour is a treat for architecture and history buffs!
M
John's Free Walking Tours in Santa Barbara is a fantastic way to experience the city. We took all three tours over two days, and each one was informative, fun and genuinely fascinating. John brings the history and character of Santa Barbara to life with engaging stories and insights you wouldn't get on your own. As a bonus, the tours are a great workout, with plenty of walking and scenic routes. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn, explore, and stay active while visiting Santa Barbara.
Angela
We had a fantastic waterfront tour with John! He has a depth of knowledge and love for the area which made the history and information on Santa Barbara come alive! Highly recommend for anyone wanting to know more about the area! Engaging tour with pictures that he shares and tidbits only locals would know. Don't miss this gem of a tour!
Valeri
A great way to spend the morning with friends, this walking tour revealed the rich history of our area—something I had not fully appreciated despite living and working here for over 30 years. A fun walk through the Historical Downtown Area with Craig, who was an excellent guide and a wealth of knowledge and information. He not only provided great insight but was very engaging and answered our many questions. We are eager to return and explore the Waterfront tour next. Highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in discovering the Santa Barbara history and enjoying a memorable outing with friends or family