10 Things to Do in Santa Barbara With Kids

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Santa Barbara has something to offer everyone.

From gourmet restaurants to luxurious resorts with many lounging opportunities, these are a few of the reasons that visitors love Santa Barbara.

Then there are the shopping opportunities!

Situated by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this gives the city and mild climate making many outdoor activities possible throughout the year.

Perhaps the best-known landmark is the Santa Barbara Mission, but this is just the beginning of many fun activities the whole family will enjoy.

There is the zoo, interactive science museum, and of course the beach where the family can enjoy the water and perhaps take a surfing lesson.

Many people enjoy visiting Santa Barbara during the summer months when they can soak up the sun and enjoy the beach.

However, many other people also enjoy visiting during the summer, so you may encounter longer lines for restaurants or vendors.

Most consider September to be the best time of the year to visit.

Traveling at this time of year depends on whether the kids can take a long weekend from school.

Regardless, whenever your family decides to visit, there are many exciting things for you and your kids to do and enjoy.

Things to Do in Santa Barbara With Kids

Ride the Santa Barbara Trolley

Taking the Santa Barbara Trolley is a fun way to get a quick tour of the city and its many highlights.

The tour takes about 90 minutes and passes many popular locations while providing information about each one.

Tours travel by the historic Old Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Zoo, and the East Beach.

For over 30 years, the classic red trolleys have been transporting visitors and giving them tours.

They also offer special tours for groups.

Take a Boat Trip on Lil’ Toot

After touring Santa Barbara by trolley, take to the water for a 30-minute tour on the Lil’ Toot Water Taxi.

Known as the “Happiest Boat in the Harbor”, the boat makes regular trips between Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Stearns Wharf is the longest deep-water pier that connects San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Seeing it from the water is a unique experience.

While tickets are available when you arrive but to guarantee your trip or harbor tour, purchase tickets online.

They also offer several unique cruises such as a whale watching trip, sunset cruise, or a boat trip with a narrator.

Explore the Wonders of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Sea Center

The hands-on marine exhibits at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center are popular with kids and their parents.

The exhibits allow everyone to get close to sea creatures such as sea anemones, hermit crabs, and even a leopard shark.

One popular attraction is the tide pool tank which holds 1,500 gallons of water.

This allows kiddos to view sea creatives in many different ways.

The wet deck allows everyone to get a magnified look at ocean life under their feet.

The Sea Center also offers many activities to engage children such as taking water samples like oceanographers do or learning about sea mammals by studying the life-size model of a Gray Whale with her calf.

Visit the Seals at the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Sanctuary

Visit the harbor seal sanctuary to see the animals.

South of Carpinteria, the Coastal Vista Trail has hiking and bike trails that lead to the sanctuary.

While you will get a terrific view from above the seals, it’s important to be respectful when visiting.

Typically, there are about 100 adult seals with pups.

You’ll be able to watch them lounge on the sand or in the water.

Pupping season is from January through May, so this is a special time to visit when the newborns are with their mothers.

The beach itself is completely off-limits as these are wild animals.

It is also important not to create any type of disturbance as it will frighten the seals and cause them to leave the beach and enter the water.

Volunteers are available to answer questions and help without disturbing the seals.

Get Up Close at the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a beautiful place with 30 acres and an ocean view.

The zoo cares for and exhibits over 500 animals.

Your family can explore 160 specials of mammals, birds, reptiles, and even insects.

Each species is in their natural habitat.

The zoo is smaller, which allows for more time to learn about all the animals and participate in educational activities.

Kiddos enjoy riding the miniature train around the park.

Everyone will enjoy hand-feeding the Masai giraffes!

One important thing though, reservations are required.

Tickets can be purchased through the website.

Get Close to Nature at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden

With 65 acres to explore, your family can enjoy learning about the 1,000 species of plants and flowers at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden.

Free guided tours help enhance the learning experience.

From thorns to beautiful flowers, the tour helps visitors understand how pollinators help plants and how seeds can travel through the air to create new plants.

There is even a section on discovering animal tracks.

Tours are available on weekends and Mondays.

The gift shop is well known for offering the best books and resources on native plants.

Reservations are required to visit the gardens.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Spark New Ideas at MOXI

Explore STEAM-based learning outside the classroom at MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation.

Collaboration with companies like the Science Museum of Minnesota, Gyroscope, Inc., Roto, and Creative Machines allows kids to explore new concepts and ideas in a hands-on environment.

Kids design and create new projects using high-tech to low/no-tech tools in the Innovation Workshop.

Over in the Sound Track space, kids play on a giant guitar to explore musical concepts.

Then they can take control of an innovative DJ turntable.

While pre-purchasing tickets are not required, it is suggested.

A Channel Islands National Park Adventure

Visit the unique Channel Islands National Parks for a truly unique experience.

There are many opportunities to see dolphins swimming and whales breaching on the boat ride over.

Each of the five islands is protected.

There are opportunities to spot plants and even some animals that call the islands home.

The islands are not crowded.

Tour operators also offer the opportunity to kayak with a guide along the islands.

Pedal Around Santa Barbara

Get out and explore Santa Barbara’s waterfront and the town by renting a bike.

There are several bike paths to have fun exploring.

One runs along East Beach.

There are several providers that offer everything from beach cruisers, tandems, and surreys to mountain bikes for the more adventurous.

Bike paths in the Los Padres National Forest have paths for bikers’ different abilities.

Each provides sea views of the ocean.

Visit the Santa Barbara Farmers Market for Essential Picnic and Adventure Supplies

Whether your family is heading to the beach or going out for a walk, a good place to pick up food and tasty treats for the day is the Santa Barbara Farmers Market.

Open on Saturday mornings, it’s the perfect place to select California produce, as well as local specialty food items.

From apple pie to pistachios and fruit, you’ll find the snacks to make a memorable meal.

Find the Perfect Beach

As a California beach town, Santa Barbara has many opportunities to enjoy the water and the sandy beach.

These are a few to check out.

East Beach

The most popular beach in Santa Barbara is East Beach.

It is located from Stearns Wharf to Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

It is a great place to enjoy the sandy beach and water, as well as people-watch and enjoy the day.

A park filled with trees and grass is located near the edge of the beach area.

It offers a children’s playground and picnic areas.

Food vendors and shower facilities are also available.

Many come to the area for the rollerblading tracks and volleyball courts.

Arroyo Burro Beach

For an off-the-beaten-path beach, try Arroyo Burro Beach (also known as Hendry’s Beach).

It’s a good place to stroll along the beach and enjoy the sand and water.

A restaurant is available for dine-in or take-out.

A surrounding preserve offers trails for walking or hiking.

Butterfly Beach

This beach is popular with locals who enjoy walking along the water’s edge often with their dog.

It’s possible to walk to East Beach during low tide.

The beach is also known for the Monarch Butterflies that migrate nearby during the winter.

There is also a paved bike path for further exploration along the coast.

Santa Barbara Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Santa Barbara Safety Review

Safety Index:

72

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW