
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 52 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle worth booking?
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle is a 5-hour experience in Santa Barbara, United States, from $139 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 52 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (52)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $139 per person
Our Wine Country Shuttle service allows you to experience 2-3 wineries at your leisure for the day. At each winery you can opt to purchase a tasting or enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Food options will be available for purchase either at the wineries or in the quaint town of Los Olivos. If you want to explore the breadth and diversity that the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country has to offer this is the tour for you! Our incredible guides will offer interpretation & history about the Santa Ynez Valley throughout the day.
What you get
About this experience
Our Wine Country Shuttle service allows you to experience 2-3 wineries at your leisure for the day. At each winery you can opt to purchase a tasting or enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Food options will be available for purchase either at the wineries or in the quaint town of Los Olivos. If you want to explore the breadth and diversity that the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country has to offer this is the tour for you! Our incredible guides will offer interpretation & history about the Santa Ynez Valley throughout the day.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off from a selection of wineries (tasting fees are not included)
- A friendly and knowledgeable guide
- Shuttle pick up from your hotel or private accommodations in Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley
- Discussion on winemaking and historical insights
Not included
- Lunch
- Tasting fees
- Parking fees of $9 per day per car for guests with pick up at the Visitor's Center
- Gratuity: It is customary, but optional, to tip your guide for a positive experience
What you'll see and do
Santa Barbara
Meet your guide at your central Santa Barbara hotel and board a comfortable air-conditioned luxury passenger van. Enjoy the views as you leave the city behind and head into the Santa Ynez Valley to explore the vineyard filled countryside. Pick ups are also available from Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang.
60 minutes here
Santa Ynez Valley
Explore the stunning vineyards and quaint towns of the Santa Ynez Valley while our guide shares some of the history and wine production secrets of the valley. We will visit three full production wineries and lunch will be enjoyed amidst the vineyards. We spend about an hour at each winery and allow approximately an hour for lunch at one of those stops. We have a few "local favorites" that we may visit on this tour, with great reviews from our clients and guides. You can read more about our partner wineries on our website. ~Brander Vineyard ~Vincent Vineyard ~Roblar Winery ~Rideau Vineyard ~Rusack Vineyards ~Andrew Murray Vineyards ~Fess Parker Winery ~Epiphany Winery ~Petros Winery ~Folded Hills
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Barbara
Our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel. If meeting at 1 Garden St, your guide will meet you at the parking lot.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel. If meeting at 1 Garden St, your guide will meet you at the parking lot.
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 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You must be 21 or older in order to consume alcohol
- Our wine shuttles require a minimum of 4 participants to run. You will be emailed with options if you have less than 4 people in your party.
- If you are a single traveler, please free to call our office to confirm availability
- Departure and arrival times are flexible, depending on your location & other pick-ups that day, but generally range from 9:45am to 10:45am. Pick-up times will be confirmed via phone or email the day prior. We are usually done by 3 or 4pm, heading back to town and returning by 5pm.
- If you do not require hotel pick-up, or are not staying in in Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez, you may meet the shuttle at the Santa Barbara Visitor's Center, 1 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- If meeting at the Visitor's center, the parking lot is immediately behind the Visitor Center building. Parking fees of $9 per day per car may apply.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 52 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
9 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
52 verified traveler reviews for Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A perfect bachelorette experience!
Our whole experience with Santa Barbara wine country tours was amazing! From Leslie, who helped us find the perfect wineries that would fit a bachelorette group with a studying sommelier, to our guide, Johanne, who led us through a well informed tour, kept us on track, took many group photos, and even pivoted plans when the weather was too warm to be outside. Highly recommended!!
via Tripadvisor
A Great Experience
Our Santa Ynez wine shuttle tour was everything my husband and I hoped for. It was convenient, fun, and informative. Our tour guide, Linda, was excellent. She was knowledgeable, energetic, and very helpful. Ask for Linda if you're going. Many thanks!
via Tripadvisor
A wine with friendship tour
We enjoyed the wine tastings and the friendship shared by fellow wine enthusiasts. The three wineries we visited were excellent. Very pleased with the experience !
via Viator
Warm day trip to Santa Ynez wine region
Wonderful young driver and guide who took us up over the mountains to 3 wineries as well as one olive oil tasting. We also enjoyed a lunch from a takeout deli in Los Olivas. Nice group of people, some excellent wines, and no pressure to buy or join.
via Tripadvisor
Great Day!
Great way to see the vineyards near Santa Barbara. Peter our guide/host was awesome. Knew where to take us for the best experience. Van was comfortable and spacious. Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 18
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.4.
See everything Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Barbara.
How much does Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle cost?
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Prices start at $139 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 Ynez Wine Shuttle take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Ynez Wine Shuttle worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 52 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 Ynez Wine Shuttle?
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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 Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle?
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Around 18 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle 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.
What is included in Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle?
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Included: Pick-up and drop-off from a selection of wineries (tasting fees are not included); A friendly and knowledgeable guide; Shuttle pick up from your hotel or private accommodations in Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez V; and Discussion on winemaking and historical insights. Not included: Lunch; Tasting fees; Parking fees of $9 per day per car for guests with pick up at the Visitor's Center; and Gratuity: It is customary, but optional, to tip your guide for a positive experience. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 80 listed pickup locations in and around Santa Barbara. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle?
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Across 52 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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