Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States

Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour

Outty Ranking 78 4.9 · 109 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $170

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$170
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Outty Ranking

78/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 109 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour worth booking?

Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour is a 3-hour experience in Santa Barbara, United States, from $170 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 109 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
78 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (109)
Duration
3 hours
From
$170 per person

Eat your way through the Funk Zone - Santa Barbara's hip, new 'hood - while learning about local culture and how to take great food photos. This food & photo tour starts on lower State Street and will walk you through t

What you get

    About this experience

    Eat your way through the Funk Zone - Santa Barbara's hip, new 'hood - while learning about local culture and how to take great food photos. This food & photo tour starts on lower State Street and will walk you through the Funk Zone neighborhood where you will taste what Santa Barbara is known for with bites of fresh seafood, gastropub creations, Mexican food, artisan beer, and locally grown wines several different locations. Along the way,  you’ll get immersed in the local culture and hear interesting stories about each place you’ll visit. You’ll also learn easy-to-shoot photo tips from your pro tour guide and take your food photo skills to the next level using your smartphone’s camera app. By the end of your 3 hour tour, you’ll be eating like a local and shooting like a pro! (Please note: we cannot accommodate shellfish allergies, vegan or celiac restrictions at this time. However, we only have one shellfish/seafood tasting on the tour.)

    What's included

    Included

    • Local guide
    • Wine tasting
    • Beverages
    • Food tasting

    Not included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Transportation to/from attractions

    What you'll see and do

    1. Funk Zone

      Begin your 3-hour Santa Barbara walking food tour at a central location in the Funk Zone, located near lower State Street. This region once housing warehouses and scuba shops — now revitalized into a bustling neighborhood of hip eateries, wine-tasting rooms, and artist studios — is where you’ll meet your guide for an afternoon food tasting and photo tour. Set out on foot at a moderate pace as your guide shares insights into Santa Barbara’s history and burgeoning art culture. Keep your smartphone ready so you can practice the helpful photo tips your guide offers along the way. You'll have many opportunities to take food photos and colorful portraits in the lively Funk Zone. Along the way, your guide stops for food & drink tastings (all included) at restaurants, a wine bar/bakery, & one microbrewery. Learn how to properly position your food for the best photos as you sample local fare. After your tour you can continue to explore and capture this fun & funky neighborhood on your own.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Santa Barbara

    Look for your guide wearing a denim shirt with the Eat This Shoot That logo on front. They will be standing in front of Santo Mezcal at 119 State Street.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    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
    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Eat This, Shoot That!

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Infant meals not included
    • Minimum drinking age is 21 years
    • Not recommended for vegan or celiac dietary restrictions. Shellfish allergies cannot be accommodated, but will only miss out partially on one tasting.

    Photos

    Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 2Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 3Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 4Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 5Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 6Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour in Santa Barbara, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 109 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    9 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    109 verified traveler reviews for Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    103
    4 star
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    188debbir · May 2026

    Wholeheartedly recommended to anyone considering a food tour in the Santa Barbara area

    We had a great time on the Santa Barbara Funk Zone Tour on April 23rd. Kudos to our guide Lizette, who made it fun and interesting. She enthusiastically shared local history and her love of the area came though. On our tour we had Octopus ceviche as Santo Mezcal (one of our favorites), Schnitzel and Gravy covered fries at The Brewhouse, a soft Taco with 3 kinds of sauce at Mony's Taqueria, The O.G. Pizza (San marzano marinara, fennel sausage, calabrian chile, smoked mozzarella, arugula at Lucky Penny, 2 wines at Fess Parker Funk Zone, and finally 2 scoops of our choice at McConnell's Fine Ice Cream. This was worth every penny. Pro Tip: Eat a VERY light breakfast - it was a lot of food.

    Response from the operator: Wow, wholeheartedly! Thanks so much for the kind review. So glad we got to enjoy the afternoon with you in the Funk Zone.

    via Tripadvisor

    beachinmini · May 2026

    Wonderful Tour

    Lizette was friendly and knowledgeable and made it a very enjoyable tour.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving us a review! So glad you enjoyed your time with Lizette in the funk zone. We hope to see you on our Solvang food tour someday!

    via Tripadvisor

    Mconrad94 · April 2026

    Food tour

    Lizett was very knowledgeable about the area and we learned a lot of the areas history. The 4 restaurants we visited all had delicious food and each restaurant was unique and different from the others. The restaurant staffs were phenomenal as well. Bring you appetite and come hungry!!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for leaving us such a kind review! We are so sorry again about the time mixup at the start, but I am so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with Lizette. We hope the rest of your time in Santa Barbara was enjoyable as well.

    via Tripadvisor

    Elena_S · March 2026

    Get Your Funk On

    The Funk Zone is an artsy neighborhood within Santa Barbara, located near the ocean. Our guide provided us with background information on the area as well as how the Funk Zone got its name. We explored the Funk Zone, eating and drinking along the way. Be prepared to eat & drink!

    Response from the operator: Thanks for leaving us a review, Elena! So glad you enjoyed your time in the Funk Zone with Vanessa. We hope to see you on our Solvang food tour someday!

    via Viator

    sarah_d · November 2025

    This was a nice balance...

    This was a nice balance of food, we went on a Friday which we learned was more food than alcohol heavy. Vanessa was a fun guide

    Response from the operator: Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review! So glad you enjoyed your time with us on the Funk Zone. We hope to see you on our Solvang Food Tour someday soon (which is a bit more alcohol heavy-especially during the holidays ;)

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    38
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 78

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)74
    Booking momentum (14% weight)69
    Value for money (12% weight)50
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)62
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Barbara.

    How much does Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $170 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 Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 109 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 Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour?

    +

    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 Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour?

    +

    Around 38 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?

    +

    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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food and Photo Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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