At the core of Cal Coast Adventures is the recognition that there is no need for a car or a fancy boat to see everything the city has to offer—and in fact, some people may be better off without them. Given Santa Barbara's abundance of natural beauty and relatively small size, it can be more enjoyable to go exploring by other means, whether riding down the boardwalk on a beach cruiser or surfing the coast on a longboard.

But the company doesn't just give people the means to see the area's sights; thanks to its corps of guides, it also shows them the best places to go. Fifth-generation Santa Barbaran Nick Brown takes groups hiking along coastal bluffs as well as kayaking in view of sandy shores and distant mountains. Meanwhile, veteran cyclist Brian Rand leads mountain bikers on both leisurely trips into the back country and more vigorous trips down rocky trails, depending on their level of experience and whether they are allergic to mountains.