
Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting worth booking?
Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting is a 2-hour experience in Santa Barbara, United States, from $225 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $225 per person
This is a fully immersive outdoor experience led by local beekeeper Steve. Learn directly from him as he shares his knowledge, stories, and passion for the bees that help shape Ojai Valley’s agricultural community. Watch
What you get
About this experience
This is a fully immersive outdoor experience led by local beekeeper Steve. Learn directly from him as he shares his knowledge, stories, and passion for the bees that help shape Ojai Valley’s agricultural community. Watch as Steve opens live hives to reveal worker bees, drones, and the Queen Bee. See tools like the smoker in action and sample raw local honey varieties, including wildflower, orange, and sage.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
Not included
- Private transportation
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Barbara
Gather at the parking lot to meet Steve, your beekeeper guide, and hear a short orientation.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Gather at the parking lot to meet Steve, your beekeeper guide, and hear a short orientation.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mission Beekeeping
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers allergic to bee venom.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun and Informative
My husband and I took a little get away trip to celebrate our anniversary. We are always game for a fun and unique adventure, and this sure fit the bill. Our guide was very patient and informative. I would definitely recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
We Met the Bees!
We thoroughly enjoyed our bee tour! Steve was very knowledgeable and friendly. We highly recommend Mission Beekeeping!
via Tripadvisor
Private tour to see bee hives
My grown daughter and I are both interested in animals and agriculture so this experience was very enjoyable. Steve (owner of Mission Beekeeping) answered all our questions (and we had a lot) and provided us full beekeeping suits to wear which made for memorable pictures. We were lucky because we had a beautiful day to visit the bees on our private tour. I found it easy to make the arrangements and they were very accommodating.
via Tripadvisor
Bucket list experience!! Highly recommend
Omg this is a bucket list experience!! Such an amazing bee hive tour, get up close to bees, the hives, and honey. Steve was awesome and answered all of our questions, very educational and super fun!!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $225 to $350
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Barbara.
How much does Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting cost?
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Prices start at $225 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Barbara usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Barbara is not rushed.
Is Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Barbara, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Barbara can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Barbara and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Barbara within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Santa Barbara?
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Santa Barbara runs wine tours into the Santa Ynez Valley, harbour sailing and whale watching, Channel Islands day trips, and Spanish colonial walking tours through the Presidio and Mission. Tasting-room access and group size make the biggest difference in wine tours here. On Outty we rank every Santa Barbara experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour, Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide, Small-Group Wine Tour in Santa Barbara to Exclusive Vineyards. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara?
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March to June and September to November, dodging the May and June marine layer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Santa Barbara?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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