Santa Barbara: Top Adventures for Families with Young Kids

On California’s Central Coast, tucked between the picturesque Santa Ynez Mountains and the shimmering Pacific Ocean, you will find the small city of Santa Barbara. The fruit trees and flowers are seemingly always in bloom here; with its beautiful mild weather and endless options for outdoor activities, it is a great place to bring the family. 

Nicknamed the “American Rivera” for its similarities in climate and geography, Santa Barbara is loaded with natural beauty like its French counterpart. Check out some of our favorite Santa Barbara adventures below! Please note: during these times of COVID, we recommend you check ahead of time to make sure these places and activities are open to the public. You can also find out more information on the websites linked here.

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Bike along Cabrillo Boulevard

Stretching over four miles, the Cabrillo Boulevard waterfront bike path is the perfect way to experience the Santa Barbara coastline. Flat, paved, and easy to navigate, you’ll pedal past long stretches of palm trees and white sand that run from Santa Barbara Harbor all the way to Butterfly Beach in the upscale community of Montecito. Local artists hawk their wares up and down the sidewalk on Sunday mornings, making it an extra special time to go.

Wheel Fun Rentals is a great place to rent beach cruisers, kids bikes, and baby seats.  You can take it to the next level by renting a surrey instead (picture a covered carriage propelled by 2-4 people working the pedals) while the little ones sit in the kid seats up front!

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Explore Stearns Wharf

One of the most picturesque sights you’ll pass on your Cabrillo Avenue biking adventure is historic Stearns Wharf, which stretches over 2,000 feet out into the Santa Barbara Channel. This wooden wharf welcomes you with its iconic dolphin fountain and is home to various businesses the whole family will enjoy including family-friendly restaurants, an ice cream shop, and even a candy store! 

Delight the little ones with a trip aboard the Lil’ Toot water taxi, which runs from the Wharf to Santa Barbara Harbor and back every 30 minutes from noon until sunset.  You’ll pass seals and sea lions resting on the buoys as you gaze back at the gorgeous mountainous backdrop of the city.  

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History operates its Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. Small but joyfully interactive, the Sea Center offers sea life exhibits such as a touch tank that is home to sharks, starfish, rays, and more! You can also see jellyfish illuminated in the dark, let the kids put on a puppet show, and browse the gift shop for a souvenir. If the Sea Center is a hit, be sure to find time to trek up into the foothills to visit the main branch of the Museum of Natural History!  

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Get in a beach day

There’s no shortage of beach options in this city, but one favorite for families is Leadbetter Beach located just west of the harbor in front of Santa Barbara City College. The sand is soft and white, the waves are mostly mellow, and amenities like cheap parking, bathrooms, and showers sweeten the deal even more. Head over to the Shoreline Beach Cafe for lunch; it’s right on the beach, so the kids can play in the sand while mom and dad relax with a cold drink and some fish tacos!  

The oil rigs you will see dotting the coastline are a result of the rich oil reserves under the Santa Barbara Channel. If you get home after a day at the beach, you may notice balls of black tar stuck to the bottom of your feet; they’re a beast to scrub off with soap and water, but a little baby oil will take them right off! 

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Hit up the Farmers Market

Downtown Santa Barbara transforms into a bustling farmers market on Tuesdays (on the 600 & 700 block of State Street) and Saturdays (on the corner of Santa Barbara and Cota Streets). The Saturday market is the biggest, with over 100 local vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, honey, and so much more. There is live music, balloon animal artists, and jugglers, not to mention endless sampling for the little ones!  

The Tuesday market is also a ton of fun, with over 50 vendors and all of the atmosphere that its location on busy, beautiful State Street provides. If you aren’t around on one of these days, it’s still worth a trip downtown to explore this main drag. The rows of trees along the sidewalk provide comfortable shade, and the Spanish Colonial architecture of white stucco walls and red roof tiles create an enchanting vibe.

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Visit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is small but mighty; with over 500 animals on 30 acres, there is a ton to see and do here! You’ll have a gorgeous view of the ocean as you explore the well-maintained grounds. Kids will delight in the endless wildlife to observe:  gorillas, lions, and even a snow leopard live here. Children will also love the Zoo Train that runs along the perimeter of the zoo. Perhaps the most exciting attraction here is the rare opportunity to hand feed a giraffe!  

You can bring your own lunch along or eat at one of several onsite restaurants and food stands; they even sell their own locally brewed beer, the “Zoo Brew,” and proceeds go to conservation programs so be sure to do your part! This little zoo is definitely a must-see on your Santa Barbara adventure.

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Playgrounds, playgrounds, playgrounds!

The Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation department manages 22 different playgrounds in the city, so no matter what part of the city you are in there is always one close by! Two notable spots: the grassy slopes of Shoreline Park for its incredible ocean views and Alameda Park for its amazing wooden playground (“Kid’s World”)  and little pond where you can feed the local ducks.

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Explore the Foothills

The view of the city gets better and better the higher up you go! Tucked up in the foothills you will find the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which sprawls over 78 acres and offers up stunning views of the mountains and the Channel Islands (home to the Channel Islands National Park). Kids will love to explore the 5+ miles of paths that wind through gardens, meadows, and past a variety of trees including the amazing redwoods. There is even a little child-size maze made from coyote brush!  

Five minutes away from the Botanic Garden you will find the beautiful and historic Old Mission Santa Barbara. It dates back to 1786 and is one of 21 missions that were built throughout California by the Spanish in order to convert Native Americans to Catholicism. Today it is home to a parish, museum, and gift shop, and Franciscan friars still practice here. Most children probably wouldn’t fully appreciate the guided tour, but this landmark’s amazing architecture and beautiful grounds are worth at least a drive by.  

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Sneak in some wine country action

This may be a family travel guide, but we’d be remiss not to mention the 70,000 acres of wine country that lies to the north of the city within the limits of Santa Barbara county. Luckily there are sights to see here that will make both the adults and the kids happy! 

Solvang, about 30 miles north and west of Santa Barbara, is a fun place to explore.  Founded by Danes, this little town stays true to its roots. The architecture makes you feel like you left the country and are strolling the streets of Copenhagen. You’ll see Danish bakeries, stores selling cuckoo clocks and wooden shoes, and even windmills (in addition to the numerous wine tasting spots).  

A couple of fun places to check out while in wine country: Seein’ Spots Farm, home to donkeys and a plethora of other rescue animals including a zonkey (zebra + donkey); Quicksilver Ranch, great for a quick stop to see the mini horses grazing; and Santa Barbara Blueberries, a u-pick berry farm open May-October where the kids can stuff themselves full of fresh berries!

If outdoor adventuring is your family’s thing, beautiful Santa Barbara won’t disappoint. Its proximity to both the ocean and the mountains make it a special place with tons to explore. Happy travels!