• Arlington Plaza - Begin your journey at Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro, where the essence of Paris is captured through authentic French cuisine, reminiscent of a charming sidewalk café or boulangerie. Founded by Renaud and Nicole Gonthier, this establishment fulfills Santa Barbara’s craving for high-quality French pastries and croissants. Renaud’s is the realization of a lifelong dream to craft exquisite pastries using the finest ingredients, with meticulous attention to quality and detail in every creation. Delight in a Chocolate or Almond croissant, enjoying the flaky perfection amidst the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of the courtyard, while discovering the fascinating culinary background of the restaurant’s namesake. Fun fact: Renaud was featured on two episodes of The Food Network’s Emeril Live and appeared again in August 2007 on Sugar Rush with Warren Brown.
• Arlington Theatre - Next, delve into the history of Arlington Plaza, including the Arlington Hotel and the iconic Arlington Theatre on State Street, located in Downtown Santa Barbara’s historic theatre district. This area boasts a curated selection of the finest locally owned dining and retail establishments in Santa Barbara.
• Arlington Theatre - Within the El Pueblo Viejo Historic District, discover charming pedestrian walkways, known as paseos, that weave through Santa Barbara and are often overlooked by visitors. Originating from the Spanish California era, these paths were expanded when the downtown was rebuilt after the 1925 earthquake. Here, past and present coexist, with buildings dating from the 1700s to the 1800s, showcasing the best of Santa Barbara’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Explore the former VIP limousine entrance and the transformed 125-space parking lot on the north side of the iconic Arlington Theater.
• Santa Barbara Public Market - Continue to the premier open-space food hall of the Public Market, a Santa Barbara legacy since 2014, highlighting the unparalleled bounty of California’s Central Coast. This unique venue, the first and only of its kind in Santa Barbara, was designed to be shared by multiple restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and food counters, allowing new restaurateurs to experiment with innovative ideas. Discover a wide array of artisanal food and drinks to satisfy any taste, all conveniently located under one roof.
• The Granada Theatre - Prepare to explore white stucco walls, iconic red tile roofs, flower-adorned courtyards, hidden passageways, notable restaurants, and world-class performing arts theaters and museums. The next paseo leads to Victoria Court. After navigating through the maze, take a leisurely stroll on State Street past the iconic 1924 Granada Theater, home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, and Opera Santa Barbara. Then, wander through the San Marcos Building. Exiting this pre-1925 arcade brings you to the 1941 Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a building that once served as the Santa Barbara Post Office (1912–1932). Now, it houses a collection of ancient to contemporary works and photography by Asian, European, and American artists. Finally, traverse the last charming paseo, lined with restaurants, shops, and galleries, where the 1926 La Arcada evokes images of Spain.
• Goodland Waffles and Melts - At our second stop, Goodland Waffles and Melts, experience a unique dining adventure that has locals eagerly waiting in line for the perfect bite. Choose between The Locale: Riviera Bread Company sourdough, a 7-cheese blend, garlic salt with bacon, ham, or turkey, or Waffle-Cado Toast: a savory half waffle with avocado, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, crispy onions, and balsamic glaze. Fun fact: Waffles became a staple when the chef’s wife craved them during her first pregnancy, inspiring him to create the ultimate waffle. Their waffles are unlike any other—light, airy, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender! From classic Belgian waffles to sweet and savory creations, they have a waffle for every craving. And don’t miss their melts! Imagine gooey, melted cheese between perfectly toasted bread—it’s a heavenly combination!
• The Historic La Arcada Courtyard - Conclude your tasting journey with a sweet treat in a grown-up Candyland. Indulge in what many locals and visitors consider the best donut in town, a perfect finale to your culinary exploration. While the aesthetic is curated for Instagram-worthy shots, the menu is genuinely delicious. Inspired by nouveau donut artists like Sidecar Doughnuts in Santa Monica, Hook & Press elevates the typical donut shop by using an overnight brioche dough made with European-style butter, eggs, whole milk, sugar, and salt. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a sample from their gourmet donut menu, which changes seasonally. Angela Borda wrote in Food & Home Magazine that these “donut masterpieces” are “unusual enough that people are tagging them on Instagram.” Fun fact: “Hook” refers to the mixing attachment used to make the dough, and “Press” signifies coffee, the donut’s perfect companion.

• Breakfast
• Brunch
• Snacks

• Gratuities

Travel is about immersing yourself in the local culture. One way to do that is through food. Join us for a delectable journey through Santa Barbara’s vibrant food scene while soaking in its rich history and beautiful architecture. This two-hour Saturday morning adventure is perfect for food lovers and history buffs alike. Immerse yourself with the help of a local gifted storyteller passionate about living “La Dolce Vita.” At 3 unique local restaurants within the Historic Theatre District you’ll enjoy a guided, curated food tasting.

Equal parts food tasting and equal parts easy walking, this tour strikes a perfect balance of guided activity and epicurean exploration. See parts of Downtown Santa Barbara that most visitors miss, as we saunter through some of the hidden paseos and learn about the history of key iconic sights in the Historic Theatre District. At the end of the tour, you will have learned how to successfully navigate the Santa Barbara foodie scene like a seasoned local.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.