Craft Your Own Artisanal Chocolate Box in Santa Barbara’s Hidden Chocolate Factory
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5–2.5 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness level required; suitable for all ages and abilities comfortable with seated creative work.
Overview
Discover a hands-on chocolate workshop in Santa Barbara where you design your own box and craft chocolate bars. This creative experience blends art and flavor in a unique factory setting that's perfect for visitors craving a personal connection to craft chocolate.
Make a Chocolate Box and the Chocolate to put Inside
All ages • 1.5 - 2.5 hours approximately.
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About This Adventure
Unleash your creativity in a unique Chocolate & Art Box Making Workshop! Design your own chocolate bars using Menchaca's Craft Chocolate and personalize a wooden box with various art supplies. Enjoy a hands-on experience crafting delicious treats and memorable gifts, all while exploring the art of chocolate making in a charming factory setting.
Create your own wooden Keep Sake Box full of your handmade Craft Chocolate flavors for a very special Box of Chocolates!
Duration
Each experience will take approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours. It all depends on how many Menchaca Chocolate bar experiences you would like to book!
About
First we will pour your choice of Dark or Milk into coordinating molds to your Box size. You will then top your chocolate from a choice of twenty inclusions and seasonings. While the Chocolate is setting up you can create your very own hand painted Chocolate Box! The Box’s are raw wood and have a metal hinge.(medium & large sizes only) The ART BAR is filled with many different art supplies to inspire your personalized Box design. (stain, paint, stencils, embellishments) Finish off by removing chocolate from it's mold, package it and put it into it's newly created Box!
What's Provided
All supplies including Art Bar, Molds, chocolate, wooden Boxes, gloves and smocks.
What to bring
Appropriate clothing that may get messy! BYOB + glasses and opener.
Adventure Tips
Book ahead to secure your spot
Workshops are intimate and can fill quickly, so reserving your space in advance ensures you get the time you want.
Wear comfortable clothes you can get creative in
You’ll be painting and handling chocolate—dress in casual clothes you don’t mind decorating a bit.
Arrive early to explore the neighborhood
Located on State Street, take time before your session to walk nearby cafes and shops in Santa Barbara’s lively eastside.
Come with an open mind for creativity
This is as much an arts-and-crafts session as a chocolate-making experience—embrace the process and have fun!
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Hummingbirds frequent the nearby gardens
- Occasional sea lions can be spotted along the Santa Barbara coast
History
Santa Barbara boasts a rich craft heritage with roots in Spanish colonial history, influencing its food and art scenes.
Conservation
Menchaca Craft Chocolate emphasizes sustainable cacao sourcing and eco-friendly packaging, supporting environmental stewardship.
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Adventure Hotspots in Santa Barbara
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable clothing
Allows for easy movement and dealing with art materials during the workshop.
Reusable bag
To safely carry your finished chocolate box and creations home.
Camera or smartphone
Capture your creative process and your one-of-a-kind chocolate box.
Weather-appropriate jacket
Santa Barbara’s coastal breeze can be cool in the fall; a light jacket enhances your visit before or after the workshop.
fall specific