Here's Travel for Kids list of best family vacation rentals in and around Santa Barbara, all styles and price ranges, and close to the beach.

A house or condo rental has lots of advantages for families – a full kitchen and refrigerator, so you don't need to eat all your meals in restaurants, room to spread out all your stuff, beach towels, boogie boards, washer and dryer, and more. Rental policies can change, however, so be sure to check at the time you make your reservation to be sure your desired family amenities are still available.

• Luxury West Beach Condo – Condo, two bedrooms, three baths (sleep 6); washer and dryer; fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave; rooftop deck, patio with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; garage parking; high chair, crib, babysitting available; beach chairs and towels, boogie boards, cooler, frisbees;two blocks to the beach; 3 night minimum stay, 7 nights in summer.
• West Beach Family Home - Juniper Cottage – Rental home, three bedrooms, two baths (sleep 6); king beds in two bedrooms, third bedroom two twin beds; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; enclosed backyard, patio with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; washer and dryer; babysitting can be arranged; beach chairs, towels and umbrellas; garage parking; two blocks to the beach; 3 night minimum stay, 7 nights in summer.
• Two Bedroom East Beach Cottage – Rental cottage, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 5); fully equipped kitchen with microwave, refrigerator, stove/oven; washer and dryer; crib available; children's and adult bikes, beach chairs and towels, sand toys; off-street parking; restaurants, cafes, market, parks in the neighborhood; one block to beach; 3 night minimum stay. Tip: Two houses, next to each other, available for rent.
• Mesa Home – Rental home, two bedrooms, two baths (sleep 4); king, two twin beds in bedrooms; fully equipped kitchen with microwave, stove/oven, dishwasher, refrigerator; rooftop jacuzzi, patio with outdoor dining; washer and dryer; off-street parking; enclosed backyard, outdoor shower; beach chairs and umbrellas; playground close by, one block to the beach; 3 night minimum stay, 7 nights in summer.
• Chapala Cottage – Rental home, one bedroom, one bath (sleep 4); queen bed in bedroom, sofa bed in living room; full kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, stove/oven, microwave; washer and dryer available; beach towels; outdoor patio overlooking creek, two blocks to the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Ocean & Park Views – Rental home, three bedrooms, one bath (sleep 6); queen beds, two twin beds in bedrooms; fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, stove/oven; game room; patio with outdoor dining; washer and dryer; beach towels; playground close by, one block to the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• East Beach Escape Duplex – Rental home, duplex with two bedrooms, second unit has three bedrooms, three baths (sleep 10); queen beds, twin beds in bedrooms; each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; washer and dryer; patio with outdoor dining; park close by, one block to East Beach; 3 night minimum stay. Tip: Perfect for an extended family vacation.
• The Hideaway – Rental house, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 4); king, queen beds in bedrooms; fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave; wrap-around deck with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; washer and dryer; garage parking; beach towels and chairs; one block to the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Beach Walk Cottage – Rental house, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 8); king, queen beds in bedrooms, plus futon and sofa bed; fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; enclosed backyard, outdoor dining; gas barbeque; off-street parking; located across from Shoreline Park, walk to the beach; 2 night minimum stay.
• Delightful Family Home – Two story rental home, three bedrooms, two and half baths (sleep 6); king, queen beds in bedrooms; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; enclosed backyard (kids can run around) with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; restaurants in the neighborhood, 15 min. walk to the beach; 3 night minimum stay, 7 nights in summer.
• West Beach Condo – Condo, three bedrooms, two baths (sleep 6); king beds, twin beds in bedrooms; fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; outdoor dining, gas barbeque; washer and dryer; off street parking; beach towels and chairs; one block to the beach; 3 night minimum stay, 7 nights in summer.
• Harbor Retreat – Rental home, three bedrooms, three baths (sleep 6); king, queen beds in bedrooms; large kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; outdoor barbeque; garage parking; market, restaurants in the neighborhood; three blocks to beach; 3 night minimum stay.
Carpinteria

Tip: Carpinteria is a just a short distance from central Santa Barbara, with its own miles of sandy beach and a relaxed downtown with restaurants, cafes, markets.

• Santa Barbara Home Rental – Rental home, two bedrooms, three baths (sleep 4); queen beds in bedrooms; large kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; deck with outdoor dining, gas barbeque and jacuzzi; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs; located right at the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Beachcomber – Two story rental house, three bedrooms, three baths (sleep 8); bunk room with two twin beds, loft with full bed, bedroom with queen bed, king bed in master bedroom; oceanfront deck with outdoor dining; game room with pool table; fully equipped large kitchen with gas stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; "plenty of space for two families traveling together"; house is located right on the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Beautiful Beach Properties - La Cabana – Condo, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 6); double beds in bedrooms, sofa bed in living room; full kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven; outdoor dining; washer and dryer; swimming pool and barbeque in complex; beach towels and chairs; easy access to the beach; 4 night minimum stay in summer, 7 nights rest of year.
• Padaro Paradise – Rental home, three bedrooms, three and half baths (sleep 6); king, double beds in bedrooms (each bedroom has a bath); large kitchen with stove, two ovens, microwave, dishwasher; shaded patio with outdoor dining, grass backyard; garage parking; beach chairs, boogie boards; step out of the house onto the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Beautifully Decorated Condo – Condo, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 6); washer and dryer; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave; patio with gas barbeque; two swimming pools and jacuzzi in complex;restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood, beach towels and chairs; half block to the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Sandyland Cove Retreat – Two story rental house, five bedrooms, five baths (sleep 10); bedrooms with king, queen beds, bunk beds, twin beds; large fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; two washers and dryers; large deck with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; garage parking; outdoor jacuzzi, beachfront patio; walk out the house onto the beach; 3 night minimum stay.
• Playa Lodging – Condo, one bedroom, one bath (sleep 4); queen bed in bedroom, sofa bed in living room; fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; patio with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; beach towels and chairs; beach is one block away, cafes, restaurants in the neighborhood; 3 night minimum stay.
• Sandyland Beach Retreat – Two story condo, two bedrooms, two baths (sleep 6); bedrooms have queen beds, two bunk beds; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher; swimming pool and jacuzzi in the complex; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards; half block to the beach; 7 night minimum stay.
• Steps Away from the Beach – Condo, one bedrooms, two baths (sleep 6); queen bed, bunk beds in bedrooms, sofa bed in living room; fully equipped kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher; patio with outdoor dining, gas barbeque; beach towels and chairs; one block to the beach, restaurants, cafes in the neighborhood; 2 night minimum stay.
• Walk to the Beach – Upper floor condo, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 6); double beds in bedrooms, sofa bed in living room; washer and dryer; deck with outdoor dining, charcoal grill; fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, refrigerator; garage parking; two blocks to the beach; 4 night minimum stay.
• 2BR Right at the Beach –Condo, two bedrooms, one bath (sleep 4); double, two twin beds in bedrooms, sofa bed in living room; full kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave; outdoor dining; swimming pool in complex; half a block to the beach; 5 night minimum stay.
• Beachside Getaway – Rental house, two bedrooms, two baths (sleep 6); queen beds in bedrooms, queen sofa bed in living room; full kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, refrigerator; beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards; house is located right at the beach; 7 night minimum stay.