from
$35
per adult
Santa Barbara Trolley Tours
Santa Barbara Trolley Tours
4.5
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About
Santa Barbara sightseeing at it's finest on the original, fully narrated Santa Barbara Trolley Tour. Santa Barbara Trolley has been a Santa Barbara staple for over 30 years. Join us as we visit local hot spots such as the Santa Barbara Courthouse, Santa Barbara Zoo, Museum of Natural History, the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and more, all fully narrated by our energetic and knowledgeable tour guides! Or, charter our newly renovated fleet of trolleys for your wedding, party or corporate event.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
485 reviews
Excellent
344
Very good
82
Average
31
Poor
9
Terrible
19
LovemyAcura🌵
Phoenix16,976 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
I booked this tour as a Princess Discovery excursion earlier this month. Chuck was our driver and he was funny, well informed about itinerary, good communicator and a good photographer. I had taken the tour a few years ago and still learned new things on this tour. Highly recommend! Try to get Chuck as your driver!
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
winecountrysouth
Temecula, CA88 contributions
Jul 2020
This was a great way to learn where things are in Santa Barbara. Chuck was a fabulous tour guide with a wonderful sense of humor. Due to State St. being closed to car traffic this was not a hop on hop off tour except we did get a 15 minute stop at the Santa Barbara Mission. We went back on our own to the places we wanted to spend time. The tour took us all over Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. It was a fun way to get to know Santa Barbara and see the beautiful views. The website has not been updated since the street closure so you need to know that the only place to catch this trolley tour is at the entrance to the Stearns Wharf. The company will get back to emailed questions really fast. Masks are required while on the trolley.
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L2561GJjanes
Glen Head, NY7 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Our driver was knowledgeable and funny. We enjoyed the tour immensely. Hopping on and off the trolley gave us the flexibility to enjoy the day without pressure to take it all in at once.
Written November 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4949
bradenton26 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I called San Barbara Trolly to ask a couple of questions and told them I would be arriving on a cruise ship. I was told that it was better to buy my ticket for the trolly from the cruise ship for $17.00 more per person because they would not be honoring tickets bought on their website (even though they were non refundable) on the dates the ships were in ports - all dates that ships were in ports were blacked out for the tickets purchased on their website. You never see this anywhere on their website until you are ready to click on the purchase button so you can imagine how many people will miss this. How does a company sell tickets then not honor them????? This sounds like such a scam. The next thing he told me was unbelievable - they only have one trolly for the disabled
Written August 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChicoJulie
sacramento16 contributions
So for the 3 of us we spent $66 It started out very entertaining but about half way through the tour we decided to hop off and check out a venue. We checked the schedule and showed up at the right time for our pickup but the trolly did not return. We tried to call but no phone support on weekends. Spent more money to taxi back to town. Felt ripped off.
Written October 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PenneyEd
Horton, UK14 contributions
Although the idea of a trolley tour through Santa Barbara sounds great, this company needs competition. The guide was disinterested and rather grumpy. He did not greet us and begrudgingly answered our questions. Very little information on the history of Santa Barbara and the general area.
Written August 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luvtravel88
United States608 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
Hubby and I were coming in from a cruise ship for a day of sightseeing in Santa Barbara. I purchased one day Santa Barbara trolley tickets back in April. Upon arriving at the pier and walking to the beginning trolley stop at Stearns Wharf, we were told that if we were able to get on a trolley, we would have to stay on the trolley for a round trip ride as there wouldn't be any trolley coming behind to pick us up at any of the trolley stops.
It seems that the cruise ship had a shore excursion offered to their passengers that was using 6 of the trolleys from Santa Barbara Trolley Tours.
The tour company knew about this of course, but they didn't let their customers know about this on their website and sold tickets for a hop on hop off trolley that they knew wasn't going to happen.
When I told the trolley driver I wanted my money back, he looked affronted, and pointed me in a direction down the street where there is supposed to be a management office. I was going to head in that direction, but there were several people in line waiting to purchase tickets for the trolley even though they knew that might not get on and that if they did, they couldn't get off. I ended up selling my two tickets to them.
My group ended up negotiating a price with a taxi and the driver took us where we wanted for the next 3 hours for a very reasonable price. There was no commentary of what we were passing, but under the circumstances we were OK with that.
If I'm ever back in Santa Barbara I will be making other arrangements to see the sights.
It seems that the cruise ship had a shore excursion offered to their passengers that was using 6 of the trolleys from Santa Barbara Trolley Tours.
The tour company knew about this of course, but they didn't let their customers know about this on their website and sold tickets for a hop on hop off trolley that they knew wasn't going to happen.
When I told the trolley driver I wanted my money back, he looked affronted, and pointed me in a direction down the street where there is supposed to be a management office. I was going to head in that direction, but there were several people in line waiting to purchase tickets for the trolley even though they knew that might not get on and that if they did, they couldn't get off. I ended up selling my two tickets to them.
My group ended up negotiating a price with a taxi and the driver took us where we wanted for the next 3 hours for a very reasonable price. There was no commentary of what we were passing, but under the circumstances we were OK with that.
If I'm ever back in Santa Barbara I will be making other arrangements to see the sights.
Written September 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
To our Cruise Ship Passenger,
I am sorry for the inconvenience that is out if our control due to the cruise ship. We strive to provide the best tour in Santa Barbara. We understand your problem and our diligently trying to do our best to accommodate all our passenger. When a cruise ship come to Santa Barbara they specially reserve trolley tours for their passengers, we highly recommend purchasing your tour threw the cruise ship as seats and tour times are guaranteed. Our 90 mins daily Historical Tour is a first come first serve tour, we sell vouchers which as not for a specific day or time, to give ease to our guests. I would love to make this up to you, please email me directly Teddi@sbtrolley.com and I will send you free tickets.
Written September 26, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GuyFromAtlanta_GA
Birmingham, AL1,111 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We expected much more, having been on this type of tour in many cities. There just wasn't that much to see. Go to the mission and courthouse on your own and save the fare. They also do not give any type of discount for senior citizens or veterans. The tour was worth about half of the cost of the fare. Rent a bike and go to Montecito and the Four Seasons Biltmore - you will see more than the tour gives you. Same for Fess Parker's Resort.
Written November 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stratus2013
Folsom, CA53 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
The guide was very fun and knowledgeable about the area. His insider views about SB history made the $22 dollars for the tour feel like I spent way more for the two hours.
Written December 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginger005
Scotland172 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
What an interesting and interested driver we had. Knowledgeable and friendly, he made the tour worth the money. Saw most of Santa Barbara in the short time we had there. A good idea to take this short tour.
Written September 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
To: rpminn who wrote “Wonderful One-Hour Tour”,
Santa Barbara Trolley Tours clearly advertises a one and half hour “Trolley Of Lights Tour” which they have been doing for 20 years. They go around the Milpas Round-A-Bout a few times at the end, which is hardly anticlimactic for most. (Our family had a blast).
Their last night for 2019 was Saturday December 21st. Your review is dated December 24th. Is it possible you reviewed the wrong trolley company?
Written December 25, 2019
I wasn’t in Santa Barbara on Dec 24. I was there on Dec 9.
Written December 26, 2019
Monte D. in Campbell, CA,
Who was your tour guide in Santa Barbara? We will be visiting there soon and want ask for the same guide you had.
Written December 15, 2018
you can get a ticket on board but need to pay cash or buy from main office. We got on at the old church stop ? stop 10 or 11. there is a free car park there and the bus stops for ten minutes. it also has a toilet at that stop. great tour
Written July 17, 2018
We bought our tickets from the driver. Cash only. Enjoy the ride. We did.
Written July 18, 2018
Are the Trolley tours operational on July 4?
Written May 23, 2017
SBNATIVE
Santa Barbara, California
Yes, they are. But due to a parade our route is altered.
Written May 24, 2017
Hello!
Our daily historical tour is $22 for adults and $8 for children 12 years of age and under. You may purchase your tickets directly from your driver or from the Visitor's Information center located at 1 Garden St.
Thanks,
SB Trolley
Written March 22, 2017
Philip Y
Huntington Beach, California
Hi, Joe: Were there multiple trolleys for each scheduled stop ? From cruise sheep with so many visitors, will there be problem to get on a trolley ? Thank you, Philip
Written November 2, 2016
We were there on a cruise ship. They were selling tickets on the ship for $32 and the trolley picked folks up at the pier. We walked six blocks and bought our ticket at the visitors center and paid $22. The trolleys were on an hourly schedule at that time, last week, October 26. So plan on being wherever you get off for at least an hour. There is also a great local bus, all electric driven, which is every thirty minutes and is only fifty cents! And only twenty-five cents if you are over 62! We used it after the trolley to get to Brophy Brothers for a fabulous lunch!
Written November 3, 2016
We will be docking in SB from a Princess cruise ship in late Sept 2016.As we only have a few hours we would like to do a Trolley Tour .The reviews I have read are from 2012/13 .Have things improved since then as many of the reviews were a little unfavourable.
Written August 23, 2016
It's a great tour, make sure you take a map and make notes of what you would like to see when you have time. Also, if another cruise is dock at the same time. I suggest you stay on the trolley till the end. They fill up quickly and may not have room for you if you pop back on.
Written August 25, 2016
Mike G
San Diego, California
Does the Trolley Tour Run later in the evenings during the summer months June through September or does the the Last Full Tour still start at 3pm. ??
Written March 10, 2016
The tour does have different hours for the summer season. Memorial Day - Labor Day the tour runs 10:00am to 4:00pm (4:00pm being the start of the last tour).
Written March 10, 2016
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