10 Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids: The Ultimate Checklist

Family-friendly holiday spot rich in quest, beauty, culture, and history is Santa Barbara. Are you planning a trip to Santa Barbara with kids? That’s really amazing idea to make the most of your time with kids. Santa Barbara provides outstanding serenity and marvelous place to take kids with you. It offers very beautiful scenic attractions and chance to do some incredible things in perfect climate.

After all, Santa Barbara such a beautiful town, and it’s not hard to figure out what fun things to do in Santa Barbara with kids! It is simply unfeasible to ALL of Santa Barbara visitors when you have children with you. Let’s dive into the ultimate fun activities that are highly preferred to do with kids in Santa Barbara.

10 Intense Activities for Kids to Enjoy in Santa Barbara

There are unlimited activities to do with kids in Santa Barbara, but here we discussed 10 main ones.

1. Visit Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

No trip is complete without visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo. Yeah, if you are in Santa Barbara and never take your kids to the Zoo, you miss the fun treasure.  The zoo is home to more than 500 animals and over 145+ species. The wildlife offers plenty of educational stuff that is learned by all age kids.

Address: 500 Niños Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93103 United States

Telephone: +1 805-962-5339

2. Explore The Beaches

Santa Barbara beaches

Santa Barbara offers more than 20 beaches to choose from for a perfect place for your family. Some most popular beaches are as follows:

East Beach: It is located at R.A. Apffel Park (East Beach) 1923 Boddeker Drive Galveston, TX 77550.

Butterfly Beach: It is located at 1260 Channel Drive along the coast of Montecito, CA.

Leadbetter Beach: It is located at 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.

3. Kids World

Santa Barbara Alameda park kids world

A 8000 square-foot playground at Alameda Park become favorite and fantastic place of younger kids. They will love running around the ground known as kids world. This exciting playground has plenty of slide, swings, roller coaster and separate areas for small kids.

4. Santa Barbara Public Market

Santa Barbara Public Market

When kids explore too much things in zoo, museum and kid’s world, definitely they feel hunger. So, take a family food tour through the public market at Santa Barbara. It’s hub of unlimited gourmet treats for kids.

Address: 38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Telephone: (805) 770-7702

Opening hours:

  • Sunday to Wednesday (8:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
  • Thursdays to Saturday (8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

5. Explore The Waterfront

Santa Barbara Waterfront

You may find something to suit every palate at the Waterfront. World-class dining creations, a wine tasting area, a sweet, and an ice cream parlor are all available at Stearns Wharf that is loved by the kids.

Address: 132-A Harbor Way Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Telephone: (805) 564-5531

Fax: (805) 560-7580

Office Hours: Monday to Friday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

6. Attend A Live Performance at Santa Barbara Bowl

Live Performance at Santa Barbara Bowl

Keep an eye out for movie nights and family-friendly shows at this iconic outdoor music venue. Santa Barbara Bowl offer exceptional live performances to all age visitors.  Upcoming concerts start from 25th April 2024, start time 7:00 Pm and gates open at 5:00 PM.

Address: 1122 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Telephone: (805) 962-7411

7. Casa Del Herrero

Casa Del Herrero Santa Barbara

Casa del Herrero featuring stunning gardens, a tricky blacksmith’s shop, and fascinating kid-focused activities. So, pack your bags, book a tick, bring family to take a guided tour of this historic estate.

Address: 1387 E Valley Rd, Montecito, CA 93108

Telephone: (805) 565-5653

8. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

One of the best destination to study about the Santa Barbara Channel and the 13,000 years of human connection with the water is the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Located in: Santa Barbara Harbor

Address: 113 Harbor Way STE 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Telephone: (805) 962-8404

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

9. Enjoy Elings Park

Santa Barbara Elings Park

Over 200,000 people travel to Santa Barbara’s Elings Park, which spans 230 acres, each year for outdoor fun. It is the country’s biggest community-supported non-profit public park.

Address: 1298 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105

Telephone: (805) 569-5611

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday (7:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

10. Explore Lotusland

Lotusland Santa Barbara

Ganna Walska Lotusland, generally called Lotusland, is a pleasant non-profit botanic garden in the scenic hills of Santa Barbara. The 37 acres’ landscape make it ancient estate.

Address: 695 Ashley Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108

Telephone: (805) 969-3767

Lotusland is home of more than 20 district gardens such as:

The Blue Garden: Including silvery to blue-gray foliage, Chilean wine palm, Blue Atlas Cedar and more.

The Cactus Garden: Home to cacti and leafy spurge.

Bromeliads Gardens: Bromeliads prosper beneath large coast live oaks.

The Parterre Garden: A balanced delight.

The Japanese Garden: A peaceful oasis.

The Topiary Garden: A place where art meets foliage.

The Cycad Garden: A haven for cycads.

The Water Garden: A serene aquatic retreat.

Final Ideas

Santa Barbara is fun place that you can discover with kids. Yes, ultimate destinations offer endless fun activities and amazing thing to do in Santa Barbara with kids.

Whether you are interested in parks, swings, informative trips, Museum to explore Santa Barbara culture, there is something exciting for everyone.  So, give your kids a surprise trip of Santa Barbara and gather memories with loved ones.



Ferona Jose
Ferona Jose isn't just a travel writer; she's a weaver of tales. With a knack for capturing the essence of a place through vivid descriptions and heartfelt storytelling, she brings her travel experiences to life on her blog, Travelistia, and on Touripia.com. She is passionate about exploring new places around the world.

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