TourTruth score 7.2 out of 10
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Santa Barbara Chocolate and Art Box Workshop
TourTruth score 7.1 out of 10
Average
86 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Santa Barbara
- 1 hr 15 min
- Updated November 4, 2026
Make custom chocolate bars, sample craft chocolate, and decorate a wooden keepsake box at this creative Santa Barbara workshop.
About this tour
Turn a visit to Santa Barbara into a hands-on chocolate and art experience at Menchaca Chocolates. This Santa Barbara Chocolate and Art Box Workshop invites you into a micro-batch chocolate factory to explore cacao through taste, touch, smell, and creativity.
Hear from the chocolate maker about the craft and flavor profiles of cacao from around the world, then design your own chocolate bars. Choose from available craft chocolate options and a selection of toppings, and learn how chocolate is made and tempered. While your bars set, head to the art table to paint and decorate a wooden box with the supplied materials. Finish by unmolding and wrapping your chocolates, then tuck them into your one-of-a-kind creation. Samples and a cacao husk tea taster add a little more flavor to the visit.
The workshop lasts about 1–2 hours and takes place at Menchaca Chocolates in El Mercado. Book your Santa Barbara Chocolate and Art Box Workshop for a creative outing that pairs chocolate making with a keepsake you design yourself.
Highlights
- Create and temper custom chocolate bars with your choice of toppings
- Explore flavor profiles in craft chocolate made with cacao from around the world
- Taste chocolate samples and cacao husk tea
- Paint and decorate a wooden box for your handmade chocolates
- See how a micro-batch chocolate factory transforms cacao
What's included
Included
- Chocolate maker talk and factory tour
- Smocks, tongs, and chocolate molds
- Choice of dark, oat milk, and/or white craft chocolate, depending on option selected
- Choice of chocolate toppings
- Wooden box to decorate
- Art supplies
- Chocolate samples
- Cacao husk tea
Not included
- Additional shop chocolate purchases
- Seasonal specialty drinks
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.57 / 5 · 53 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.84 / 5 · 33 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Common complaints
Important information
- Children under 7 years are not permitted
- Workshop takes place rain or shine
- Meet at Menchaca Chocolates in El Mercado, 4141 State St E-1, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
- Wheelchair accessibility and service animal access are available
Frequently asked questions
How long is the workshop?
The workshop lasts about 1–2 hours, depending on the selected option.
What can I make?
Make custom chocolate bars with your choice of toppings, then paint and decorate a wooden box for your chocolates.
What chocolate options are available?
Options include 60% dark, oat milk, and white craft chocolate; choices may depend on the selected option.
Where does the workshop meet?
Meet at Menchaca Chocolates in El Mercado at 4141 State St E-1, Santa Barbara.
Can I cancel for free?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.57 on Viator and 4.84 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Santa Barbara
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.1.
Provider rating distribution in Santa Barbara
How many tours in Santa Barbara have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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TourTruth score 7.2 out of 10
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