Rating: A+ for unique, entertaining, educational and amphibious
Ages: Children able to sit for 90 minutes to adult
Directions: 101 exit Garden Street, turn towards water. After .25 mile turn right into public parking lot, or cross Cabrillo Boulevard to park in lot.Walk towards the wharf, to the right on Cabrillo Boulevard. The amphibious vehicle will stop on the ocean side of the boulevard about 100’ before the wharf/State Street.
Contact: 683-7600 or www.out2seesb.com

Season: Winter tour schedule varies from summer. Children can’t wait until this hits the water. There is only one 39'x 8' vehicle, a 2003 Hydra Terra made in New York, and it carries 49 passengers and stops pedestrians in their tracks, staring. It is DMV and United States Coast Guard-approved. It was designed specifically for the tourist industry. You’ll never forget going down the launch ramp and into the harbor. When it’s in the water, you are free to get up and walk around. It’s likely that you’ll see sea lions from up close lying on the green buoy outside the harbor. Some say the tour guide’s information is consistently the best in town.

This is also called “The Land Shark.” The tour, fully narrated by a tour guide aboard the vehicle, includes fascinating notes from Santa Barbara history to houses owned by celebrities, and is delivered well; it’s top-notch. It’s a fun, friendly atmosphere aboard the vehicle whether it’s on city streets or motoring offshore. There is little or no need for concern about seasickness, as it doesn’t go far offshore; just around the green buoy marking the harbor entrance.