I came here for an event today so really my review is tailored more towards the events that Casa is…read moreholding but also to acknowledge the fabulous grounds and building though I admit I don't have full context for the history or background. I would definitely come back here to learn about the house and to take the guided tour. This wasn't the purpose for me coming today but the gentleman who works here noted that it's a great tour and I know friends who have enjoyed learning about the family and the history of the house, getting a deeper dive of information. I came here with some friends for their first hosted event Sound Bath. A wellness day if you will. From start to finish everything was very organized and thoughtful. The staff hosting the event and the spiritual wellness guide and sound healer was wonderful. Everyone was nice and you felt welcomed. Not pretentious and just very positive and good vibes. We had a nice group and everyone was respectful and on time for the sound bath so it went off without issue. It was a relaxing experience and the grounds were very nice to hold this outdoor event. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, we found an area with shade, very nice. Very faint sounds of cars in the distance here and there which wasn't ideal but out of their control and once things settled in you really couldn't hear much external noise. After the relaxing sound bath we were offered tea and light pastry snacks. I opted for a water and began exploring the grounds instead of partaking in the refreshments. The grounds are lush and lovely, very zen. Loved the beautiful trees and walkways with small fountains and running water. It was green and pretty all around from the recent rains. Definitely a great location for events and to learn a little SB history. I will definitely do my research and come back again soon.

Yikes, this is an expensive tour but it is a rarity to see a period house with most of the original…read moreoccupants furnishings etc. The tours are docent led and very informative. If you like these types of tours, this one is quite worth it.

This was a decent ride around a small part of the city. My driver was Joe. He seemed knowledgeable…read moreabout the history and landmarks. We stopped at a church to take pics and had sufficient time to snap other photos along the tour. This was especially perfect for a warm, sunny day.

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour (Booked via Viator.com)…read more We booked this tour through Viator for $28 per person (non-refundable), and I have to say -- it's an affordable, worthwhile way to see Santa Barbara and Montecito if you're short on time. The tour runs about an hour and a half, narrated the whole way through. Our guide, Rusty, was excellent -- knowledgeable, engaging, and easy to listen to. He mixed history with fun local details, pointing out landmarks, residents, and even a few celebrity homes. His energy kept the ride interesting from start to finish. Pro tip: Seating is a bit of a luck-of-the-draw situation. There are about four or five seats where the window is completely down -- perfect for pictures. Otherwise, most windows stay up and only open a crack for air. If photos are important to you, get in line early so you can grab those open-window spots. It's two people per bench. The rest stop was at the historic Santa Barbara Mission. We had about 15 minutes to use the restrooms, pop into the gift shop, and take pictures of the Mission's beautiful exterior. (The church wasn't open during our visit, but it often is, so worth checking next time.) Along the way, Rusty also pointed out some things I never would've noticed -- like enormous fig trees scattered around town, a fossil of a blue whale, and even a giraffe peeking its head out near the zoo! The Spanish-style architecture throughout Santa Barbara was another highlight, and being able to see so much in a short span of time made this tour feel really efficient. Meeting & Drop-off Spot: The Garden Street Visitor Center (close to the Carousel House). For brand-new visitors or anyone with limited time, this is a perfect introduction to Santa Barbara. Big kudos to Rusty for making it such an engaging ride.

Bellosguardo has an amazing history to share with the world. It's a must see! The estate has been…read morepreserved for over 60 years and is truly a Santa Barbara landmark

Touring Bellosguardo was a wonderful experience. It was full of delights and surprises. The art,…read morefurnishings, and instruments are remarkable. I look forward to returning in the future when additional areas of the house are opened to the public.

Did you know that this is the highest AND largest steel arch bridge in the state of California?…read morePlus it remains one of the tallest in the country at 400 ft above the canyon floor? Fact. It originally opened in 1964 and is on the Historic Register of Historic Places, plus a designated Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1976. They recently confirmed this bridge was stable and repainted it the green color it has always been. Unfortunately, locals used to refer to it as 'suicide bridge' due to people ending their lives by jumping. Since March of 2012, that had been 55 suicides. You will still find crosses of those who took their lives at the base. Since then, they have installed a metal fence barrier on the sides to prevent this from happening. Note: The best view of this bridge is on Stagecoach Road driving towards Cold Springs Tavern.

It's a beautiful bridge in the cold spring canyon. Surrounding area is a scenic canyon also…read more Amazing engineering skills , made entirely of welded steels. You see quite a few crosses on the side of the road.

Celebrated my birthday in Santa Barbara and Melissa is an excellent tour guide. She arranged an…read moreexcellent itinerary and so informative about the history of Santa Barbara

Had a quick weekend trip with some girlfriends and decided on the wine & chocolate tasting tour. It…read morewas the perfect weather, Melissa was very knowledgeable about the history of Santa Barbara, provided lots of recommendations. Very pleased with our tour!

What a fun tour! We got to learn about some SB history and learn about tiles from both an artistic…read moreand historical perspective... we got a bunch of free swag with our Tile Spotter Premium tix-- a hand stamped Journal and tote featuring tile art from our tour guide, Roger Buster! I loved the energy, the pace, and all of the amazing information we received-- and I especially loved the "tile spotter" card that came with the tour-- it was like a scavenger hunt and walking tour all in one!

The tile walk was amazing! I learned a lot about the unique and beautiful tiles all over downtown…read moreSanta Barbara, including the different time periods and artistic influences. Also, we got to see a lot of beautiful local Santa Barbara architecture. Highly recommend this walking tour, whether you're a local or just visiting! Great for every one of all ages if you like learning about something new.

There was not a free walking tour scheduled during the 2 days we were in Santa Barbara so we…read morearranged for a paid private one. It was totally worth it! Our tour guide David was a truly enthusiastic and friendly companion and we learned so much that we wouldn't have otherwise. I was a little tired from a previous week in LA and was somewhat apprehensive about a 1 and 3/4 hour tour but there were ample rest stops with opportunities to sit down. We took the water side tour and I would have liked to take the other two, had we had time. Highly recommend!

Knowledgeable, interesting and full of visuals and well planned stops. Really enjoyed meeting Craig…read moreand felt the walking tour was very worthwhile. Good timing to grab breakfast and get lunch suggestions (and wine tasting coupons) as well. Cheers!

**Tour begins at 100 E. Main Street, at the Ventura County Museum…read more This is a self-guided walking tour of the downtown historic core of the City of Ventura. About six blocks long, and several blocks of side detours off of Main Street comprise the tour. The website address listed is where you can print out a copy of the tour. Copies are also available at the Ventura Visitors Center. The guide offers quick overviews of the highlighted buildings, with when they were built, and what the significance was to the development of the city. Even for frequent Ventura visitors, you might find a few surprises, as Dear Hubby and I did yesterday when we walked the route. Along the way, you'll likely be interacting with others hanging out in Ventura. Most will not be on the same historical journey that you're on, but might be enjoying seeing the unique architectural facades, especially along Main Street. From the Mission, to several beautifully restored Victorians (now housing various businesses), to the "unique" conversion of the Carlo Hahn House into The Tavern, to charming hotels, to stately bank buildings, and a very early themed shopping plaza, there's much to see along the way. Two magnificent Moreton Bay Fig trees are on the tour, as well. Fortunately for weary feet, there are lots of places to stop and rest / grab something to eat or drink along the way. You might want to save shopping for before or after the tour, as carrying around purchases might make for an even longer walking experience. I know I was ready to put my feet up and relax when we were finished! As likely intended by those at the Visitors Bureau who put the guide together, doing the walking tour lets you know about so many places you might not notice otherwise. That can invite a return visit to get to know those spots more in depth. We did it! Where's my t-shirt that says so??!!

A must when in Solvang. Super fun and not pricy. The gentleman that runs the business was super…read morenice.

Amazing service and easy. Had a great time and got a lot of people's attention! Thanks for the funread more