It’s a New Year and a great opportunity to rediscover your passion for Adventure!

Santa Barbara is an amazing place with warm weather year-round. SB winters are well-known for amazing sunsets, great surf, and perfect hiking weather all day! Plus, last month brought much-needed rain to Central California and as a result, our hillsides are now covered in a beautiful and lush, green flora.

There are so many fun things to do both indoors and outdoors this January. See some of our suggestions below:

3rd Annual ZooLights
WHEN: January 1st–12th
TIME: 4:30-8:30 PM
WHERE: Santa Barbara Zoo
Walk through the Zoo and enjoy an interactive light exhibit, featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns lit with more than 50,000 LED bulbs showcasing animal and nature scenes representing wild places worldwide.

Sunset Kayak in Santa Barbara Harbor
WHEN: Every evening in January
WHERE: Santa Barbara Harbor
Winter is the best time of year for sunsets in Santa Barbara due to seasonal weather patterns including offshore winds. These winds keep the coast fog-free and carry medium and high-level clouds across the sky. Join us for a spectacular twilight sky viewing on our very special Sunset Kayak Tour! — Book Now

Open Mic Music
WHERE: Wylde Works
WHEN: Every Tuesday in January
TIME: 7-11 PM
Join local musicians at Santa Barbara’s best open-mic. Signups are at 6:45 — make sure to sign up early to save your spot. A few spots will be reserved for first timers. Enjoy great music, Hard Jun Kombuchas, Mead, Wine, and beers from Third Window Brew.

Hike up to Montecito Peak
WHERE: Cold Spring Trailhead
LENGTH: 7.6 miles (out & back)
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
Enjoy the cooler winter weather on a nice, long hike that features a creek, small waterfall, and panoramic views atop Montecito Peak.

Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Channel Islands National Park
WHEN: Every day in January
WHERE: Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
Yes, it’s true, our Channel Islands kayak tours run year-round! Join us as we explore world-renowned sea caves, giant kelp forests and recreate alongside wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. — Book Now

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The tour will pick up your group in an air-conditioned shuttle in the morning. We will preview the day and head up to Santa Ynez Valley. Once there, you will enjoy wine tasting at some of the areas best wineries. Your group will visit beautiful Los Olivos and enjoy an incredible cupcake and wine tasting. Your guide will cover local human history and insight into wine region along the way.

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Your tour reservations are made at a few of our several partner wineries in the valley, including but not limited to:

• The Brander Vineyard
• Vincent Vineyards & Winery
• Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
• Andrew Murray Vineyards
• Rusack Vineyards
• Roblar Winery
• Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
• Rideau Vineyard

In addition to the spectacular winery visits, there’s opportunity for exploration of the valley via bicycle, tasting notes and wine pairing for cupcakes, a stop at Rancho Olivos for olive oil tasting, or a jaunt to Clairmont Lavender Farm. It’s easy to have an unforgettable experience in Santa Ynez Valley, just mention any particular interests you have in your reservation, and our guides will do their best to accommodate your requests.

Perhaps you’re already a member at wine clubs in the Valley, or want a little more flexibility with your day: book our Wine Country Shuttle for your transportation needs. We provide your group with pick up and drop off from wherever you’re staying, and a driver for the day to explore Foxen Canyon and Los Olivos area vineyards and tasting rooms.

After a great day tasting in the Valley, you can expect to return to Santa Barbara around 5pm, just in time to enjoy a delicious meal at one of Santa Barbara’s best restaurants. Your driver is even able to drop you off at the restaurant directly if you can’t wait!

Book your tour now at www.winetours-santabarbara.com.

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Once you’re on the road, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of California’s Central Coast as you cross the Santa Ynez mountain range towards the charming town of Los Olivos: four square blocks of pure country charm packed with over 40 world-class wine tasting rooms.

Depending on which Wine Tour you’ve booked, your guide will provide transportation to 2-3 wineries and tasting rooms in the area throughout the day, where you’ll meet the local vintners and taste a selection of their premier wines. Take your time at each winery; be sure to take a stroll around the vines, sample their food pairings, and at a minimum, take lots of pictures! You can always tag us in your posted photos–@sbwinetours–we love to see our guests enjoying Wine Country.

At the end of the day, be sure to ask your guide for dinner recommendations in Santa Barbara, or check our blog on some of Santa Barbara’s Tastiest Eateries. Your guide can drop you off at a restaurant or the downtown area if you’d prefer to grab a bite before heading home for the night.

If you’re a local Airbnb host, we’d love to hear from you! We are happy to provide fliers and cards as resources to your visitors. Contact our office via phone or email.

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