TourTruth score 7.5 out of 10
Photo 1 / 6
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour 1.5 hr
TourTruth score 5.0 out of 10
Average
1,008 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Santa Barbara
- 1 hr 30 min
- Updated November 2, 2026
See Santa Barbara’s beaches, historic landmarks, and harbor on a lively, fully narrated 90-minute trolley tour.
About this tour
See the American Riviera from a classic trolley on a narrated 90-minute journey through Santa Barbara. With a knowledgeable guide sharing stories along the way, Santa Barbara Trolley Tour brings the city’s coastal scenery and historic landmarks into view without the hassle of navigating between them.
Pass Stearns Wharf and East Beach, then take in the wetlands of the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge and the shoreline at Butterfly Beach. The route also features the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Old Mission Santa Barbara, El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, and the harbor. At the County Courthouse, admire its Spanish-Colonial architecture and distinctive clock tower, known for panoramic views of the city and beyond. Stops and sights offer a broad introduction to Santa Barbara’s beaches, history, and local landmarks.
The tour departs from 1 Garden St, Thursday through Monday, with morning and afternoon departure times. It is a narrated sightseeing tour, not a hop-on, hop-off service. Settle in, enjoy the changing coastal views, and discover Santa Barbara from the trolley.
Highlights
- Admire Santa Barbara’s landmarks from a narrated trolley
- See Stearns Wharf, East Beach, and Santa Barbara Harbor
- Take in panoramic views from the County Courthouse clock tower
- Discover the Old Mission and El Presidio de Santa Bárbara
- Pass the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge and Butterfly Beach
What's included
Included
- Fully narrated trolley tour with a knowledgeable guide
- Visits to local landmarks and hot spots
Not included
- Hop-on, hop-off service
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.55 / 5 · 934 reviews
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View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.53 / 5 · 74 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Important information
- Departs Thursday through Monday from 1 Garden St, Santa Barbara
- This is not a hop-on, hop-off tour
- Poor weather may result in cancellation; choose another date or receive a full refund
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
Show 3 moreShow less
- Prams and strollers are allowed
- Service animals are allowed
- Comfortable shoes, a camera, sunscreen, and water are recommended
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trolley tour?
The narrated tour lasts 90 minutes.
Where does the tour depart?
Meet at 1 Garden St, Santa Barbara, near the Visitor Center.
When does the tour depart?
Tours depart Thursday through Monday at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Is this a hop-on, hop-off tour?
No. The trolley tour does not offer hop-on, hop-off service.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.55 on Viator and 4.53 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 5.0.
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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