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Santa Barbara Tours & Trips
7 Santa Barbara trips. Tours from 8 tour companies. 25 reviews. 4.4/5 avg rating.
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7 Trips match your criteria (1 - 7 shown)
By Cosmos
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Visits
California, Florence, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Washington
Themes
50 plus, Cultural
What travelers are saying
"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing. don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected "
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9 days From$2,389
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By Cosmos
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
Arizona, California, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Yosemite National Park
Themes
50 plus, Cultural
What travelers are saying
"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing. don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected "
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14 days From$2,789
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By Tauck
none
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Visits
Los Angeles, Monterey Peninsula, San Francisco, Santa Barbara
Highlights
- The 'Golden State' may refer back to the riches discovered in California in 1848
- but the state's scenic gems extend far beyond the bounds of Gold Rush Country...California... a state of mind as beautiful as the place. Discover both as you explore California dreams – amazing one-of-a-kind cars and architecture in Los Angeles... the glamour and glitter of Hollywood...the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
- featuring Air Force One... the 'American Riviera' of Santa Barbara
- a celebrity getaway where flowers bloom big in a renowned botanic garden... Central Coast wine country
- lush farmlands
Themes
Cultural
What travelers are saying
"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."
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10 days From$5,890
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Plan Your Santa Barbara Trip
By Tauck
none
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Visits
California, Los Angeles, Monterey Peninsula, San Francisco, Santa Barbara
Highlights
- The “Golden State” may refer back to the riches discovered in California in 1848
- but the state’s scenic gems extend far beyond the bounds of Gold Rush Country...California... a state of mind as beautiful as the place. Discover both as you explore California dreams – amazing one-of-a-kind cars and architecture in Los Angeles... the glamour and glitter of Hollywood...the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
- featuring Air Force One... the 'American Riviera' of Santa Barbara
- a celebrity getaway where flowers bloom big in a renowned botanic garden... Central Coast wine country
- lush farmlands
Themes
Cultural
What travelers are saying
"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."
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10 days From$5,790
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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By Globus
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
California, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Yosemite National Park
Highlights
- San francisco: Sightseeing; Japanese Tea Garden
- Napa valley: Tour and tasting at a winery
- Yosemite national park: Yosemite Valley floor tram tour
- Carmel: Visit the resort town
- Monterey: 17-Mile Drive; behind-the-scenes tour at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Themes
50 plus, Cultural
What travelers are saying
"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."
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13 days From$4,609
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By Globus
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
California, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Yosemite National Park
Highlights
- San francisco: Sightseeing; Japanese Tea Garden
- Napa valley: Tour and tasting at a winery
- Yosemite national park: Yosemite Valley floor tram tour
- Carmel: Visit the resort town
- Monterey: 17-Mile Drive; behind-the-scenes tour at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Themes
50 plus, Cultural
What travelers are saying
"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."
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10 days From$3,959
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Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
California, Golden Gate Bridge, Los Angeles, Monterey Peninsula, San Francisco
Highlights
- The Golden Gate Bridge, an engineering marvel
- Half Dome and El Capitan, icons of the Yosemite Valley
- The world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Stunning scenery in Big Sur and the glamorous Hearst Castle
- Spanish history in Santa Barbara
Themes
Culinary & Wine, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Religious
What travelers are saying
"I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can’t have my refund back. When I called on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning. I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund. I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information."
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10 days
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Best Santa Barbara Tours by Price
Santa Barbara Reviews & Ratings
Excellent
13
Great
6
Average
1
Disappointing
2
Terrible
0
A
Alexandra
May 2024
Written on
Walking the Corfu Trail (South)
This is the best trip ever! It’s interesting, challenging enough, beautiful views, amazing places, great food, wonderful experiences, and the most professional hikin...
T
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Written on
Walking the Corfu Trail (South)
Completing the entire Corfu Trail, with a great mountain guide and in excellent company
J
Jacqueline
Sep 2023
Written on
Walking the Corfu Trail (South)
Hard to say - delicious food! Good company and enjoyable walks. Great walk/tour leader.
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