Taste your way through Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone and level up your smartphone food photos
3 hours
Guide, food, drink tastings
Walk through the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone and lower State Street while you sample bites and sips at six stops. Along the way, your guide shares local stories, street art, and simple smartphone food-photo tips.
Not recommended for strict vegan diets or celiac, and there is no substitution for the seafood tasting. Gratuity for guides is not included.
Refund as account credit if cancelled and confirmed at least 48 hours before start. No refunds for partial attendance, no-shows, or late arrivals. Full refund or e-certificate credit if operator cancels due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
This tour is not recommended for strict vegan diets or for anyone with celiac. Vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free restrictions cannot always be accommodated, and there is no substitution for the seafood tasting.
You’ll walk up to about 1.5 miles total, and you won’t walk the entire time. You’ll have plenty of chances to sit down and relax along the way.
Bring your smartphone for food photos and a refillable water bottle if you’d like (water is provided at each stop). Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress comfortably for the forecast; bring an umbrella or raincoat if rain looks possible.
Near Amtrak Train Station, Exact location provided with tickets
Hannah seems to be the star guide here, earning enthusiastic praise across multiple reviews for her friendly demeanor, local knowledge, and ability to make guests feel like they're exploring with a friend rather than following a tour script. Other guides like Vanessa and Cameron also get shout-outs for bringing the history and character of Santa Barbara's Funk Zone and Solvang to life. Guests consistently mention being surprised by the generous portions at 7-8 stops, leaving with full bellies and phones packed with photos. The tours blend food tastings with neighborhood history and public art discussions, which many found to be the unexpected highlight. The vibe is casual and conversational, with guides sharing stories about how these trendy areas evolved while introducing guests to locally-owned establishments. One reviewer noted some hygiene concerns and felt a bit smothered by constant conversation from a guide-in-training, though this appears to be an isolated experience. The tours run around 4 hours and are better suited for adults than young children. Both locals and first-time visitors found value in the experience, with the combination of diverse flavors and community insights making it a solid choice for understanding these California coastal towns beyond the typical tourist stops.
We had a great time on the Santa Barbara Funk Zone Tour on April 23rd. Kudos to our guide Lizette, who made it fun and interesting. She enthusiastically shared local history and her love of the area came though. On our tour we had Octopus ceviche as Santo Mezcal (one of our favorites), Schnitzel and Gravy covered fries at The Brewhouse, a soft Taco with 3 kinds of sauce at Mony's Taqueria, The O.G. Pizza (San marzano marinara, fennel sausage, calabrian chile, smoked mozzarella, arugula at Lucky Penny, 2 wines at Fess Parker Funk Zone, and finally 2 scoops of our choice at McConnell's Fine Ice Cream. This was worth every penny and would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone considering a food tour in the Santa Barbara area, Pro Tip: Eat a VERY light breakfast - it was a lot of food.
Debbi Rapp
May 4, 2026
We had a great time on the Santa Barbara Funk Zone Tour on April 23rd. Kudos to our guide Lizette, who made it fun and interesting. She enthusiastically shared local history and her love of the area came though. On our tour we had Octopus ceviche as Santo Mezcal (one of our favorites), Schnitzel and Gravy covered fries at The Brewhouse, a soft Taco with 3 kinds of sauce at Mony's Taqueria, The O.G. Pizza (San marzano marinara, fennel sausage, calabrian chile, smoked mozzarella, arugula at Lucky Penny, 2 wines at Fess Parker Funk Zone, and finally 2 scoops of our choice at McConnell's Fine Ice Cream. This was worth every penny and would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone considering a food tour in the Santa Barbara area, Pro Tip: Eat a VERY light breakfast - it was a lot of food.
Debbi Rapp
May 4, 2026