Santa Barbara is known for its stunning coastline, Mediterranean-style architecture, and farm-to-table food culture — and its ice cream scene is no exception. From classic creamery favorites to bright, fruit-forward Italian ice and playful international treats, the city’s frozen desserts reflect its sunny climate, local farms, and culinary creativity.

The AFK Santa Barbara Ice Cream Tour is a small-group walking food tour that takes you through the heart of downtown over the course of about a mile and two hours. This is a true tasting experience, featuring a sample at every stop — each carefully selected to showcase a different style, texture, and cultural influence.

What to Expect

On the Santa Barbara Ice Cream Tour, you’ll:

• Visit four local ice cream shops

• Sample multiple signature treat at every stop

• Choose your own full scoop at every stop

• Walk an easy, scenic route along State Street

• Discover Santa Barbara’s hidden neighborhoods and historic streets

• Learn stories about local food traditions, architecture, and agriculture

• Meet fellow ice cream lovers in a small-group experience

Our guides are fun, knowledgeable, and laid-back — more like a local friend sharing their favorite spots than a scripted tour leader. No headsets, no performances, just good conversation and amazing ice cream.

Why Santa Barbara Is a Great Ice Cream City

Santa Barbara’s ice cream scene is rooted in fresh, local ingredients — from dairy and citrus to seasonal fruits. Each shop highlights a different technique, texture, and flavor profile, making this city’s offerings diverse and unique. This tour is curated to give you a true taste of that variety — creamy, icy, stretchy, and nostalgic.

Tour Details

• Four ice cream stops

• Multiple curated sample per stop

• Choose your own full scoop at every stop

• 2 hours

• Just over a mile of mostly flat walking

• Small group experience

• Daily departures

• Family-friendly, couples, and groups welcome

• Vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options are available on this tour.

The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience

This isn’t a “one-flavor-per-stop” tour — it’s a carefully curated tasting experience that lets you enjoy the best treat each shop has to offer. By the end, you’ll know which stops to revisit, understand the story behind Santa Barbara’s ice cream scene, and have tasted the diversity that makes this city’s frozen desserts so special.

Come curious. Leave happy, full, and create great memories.