Santa Barbara
At the Beach
The central beach area is East Beach and West Beach, with Stearns Wharf in the middle. The flat sand beaches are bordered by a promenade, grassy areas, palm trees, so bring your beach toys, umbrellas and beach chairs. Kids will have fun swimming and playing at the beach, but also keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales that come close to shore, and brown pelicans, swooping over the waves and gathering in groups for "pelican parties" at the ocean.
Rent bikes - The Santa Barbara bike path goes all along East Beach and West Beach, and continues west along the coast to Shoreline Park. Rent four-wheel surreys and bikes, including kids' bikes at Wheel Fun Rentals on E. Cabrillo at State St. (This is also a place to rent boogie boards and beach chairs).
Stearns Wharf -
Santa Barbara Sea Center - Learn about marine life in the ocean around Santa Barbara. in the touch pools, feel sea stars, sunburst anemones, sea cucumbers, from the Wet Deck, scoop up tiny marine life from the sea bottom and see magnified up large, and learn about oceanography.
Upstairs are tanks with moon jellies, octopus, abalone, moray eel, check out full size sculpture of gray whale mom and baby, marine life coloring sheets, and touch tables.
Open daily. This aquarium and natural history museum is a gem!
Water taxi - Take a cute yellow water taxi, Lil’ Toot, from Stearns Wharf across to the marina on a 25 min boat ride. Take the taxi round trip, or walk back around the marina and harbor. Picnic tables - Plenty of picnic tables at end of the wharf, bring your lunch, and finish up with ice cream.Whale watching trips - The Santa Barbara Channel is super for whale watching - in winter (Dec. -March) , there are gray whales in migration, at other times of year, you can see humpback whales and blue whales (off Santa Barbara is one of the best places to see the blue whales). On a cruise, you'll also see sea lions, elephant seals, and dolphins. Check out the schedule and boats for whale watching cruises at Stearns Wharf or the marina.
Santa Barbara Zoo - This charming zoo is perfect for younger kids (we had a great time here when the kids were 3 and 5). There are exhibits of animals native to California, such as the Channel Island fox, bald eagles and California Condor, as well as giraffes, elephants, gorillas, snow leopards, and tropical aviary. Little kids have a fun time riding the cute train that goes around the zoo, and feeding sheep at the barnyard.
Chase Palm Park (East Beach) - Super beach-side park with carousel, playground, picnic tables, snack bar and plenty of grassy areas.
Shoreline Park (Shoreline Dr.) - This park, on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, is a perfect place to bring your binoculars to look for gray whales (migration is in the winter). There's also picnic tables and a playground close to the park.
