Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
Last updated on August 14, 2026
Looking for fun things to do in Santa Barbara?
If so, this list is for you!
With its gorgeous coastline, swaying palm trees, and picture-perfect climate, it is easy to see why Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera and known as one of the most beautiful beach towns in California. It is the perfect destination for a relaxing beach getaway.
I absolutely love visiting this glorious coastal town, and since we live in Southern California, I get to go often. There is always something new to explore and old favorites to revisit, and I am going to share them all in this article.
Top 5 Picks: Family-Friendly Things to Do in Santa Barbara
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids (or without!), I am here to help. Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
► Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo.
► Shop, dine, and stroll along Stearns Wharf.
► Explore the scenic coast, visit the Mission, and see other top sights on the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour.
► Check out MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
► Learn about the region’s history and even see dinosaurs at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Keep reading for more details on these top Santa Barbara things to do, plus lots of other ideas to help you plan a great trip!
Santa Barbara Things to Do
From interactive museums to outdoor adventures, here are the best Santa Barbara activities for an ideal family vacation, all based on our personal experience.
1. Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
Start your visit with the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour. It is the best way to get your bearings and learn about Santa Barbara.
We did this tour the first afternoon we arrived in town on our most recent visit, and it was great! This open air trolley will take you on a 90-minute narrated tour through Santa Barbara and Montecito, passing landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the famous Moreton Bay Fig Tree, Butterfly Beach, and many more.
Although this is not a hop on hop off tour, it does stop at the Old Mission Santa Barbara for 20 minutes or so. This is just enough time to stretch your legs, use the restrooms, take some photos, and explore the gift shop.
► Travel Insight
Make this activity one of the first things you do when you arrive in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Trolley Tour provides a great overview of the city and is the perfect way to get a lay of the land as you kick off your visit.
The Santa Barbara Trolley Tour departs from the Visitor Center, conveniently located right across from Stearns Wharf.
- 1 Garden Street, Santa Barbara
- Book discount tickets for the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
2. Museum of Natural History
From the moment you arrive at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and see the 74-foot skeleton of a Blue Whale in front, you know you’re in for a special experience!
Located just above Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Museum of Natural History features a fantastic mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits and the only planetarium on California’s central coast.
The museum looks deceptively small from the outside, but inside you’ll find 3.5 million natural history specimens ranging from birds, minerals and gems, astronomy, paleontology, California wildlife, and the Chumash Indians who once thrived in this region.
A favorite for us was the Prehistoric Forest, an outdoor exhibit featuring nine hand-crafted, animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar. Take a stroll back in time and check out these dinosaurs on the banks of Mission Creek. There are five giant adults and four juveniles! This is such a cool experience, especially if you have dino-loving kids!
- 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara
- sbnature.org
3. Santa Barbara Zoo
Going to the zoo is always a good idea when you are traveling with kids, and Santa Barbara has a lovely one. It is not too big, so you can hit the highlights in just a couple of hours.
Still, for a smaller zoo there is still plenty to do! The Santa Barbara Zoo is home to 146 species of exotic animals, mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. More than 500 animals are exhibited in open, naturalistic habitats.
In addition to checking out the animals, there are some cool interactive activities kids will love. Ride the Zoo Train, hand feed Masai giraffes, visit the Ranger Station, dig for fossils, hit the playground, or Climb for Condors on the zoo’s 26’ rock wall, and learn what it takes to save an endangered species. There are even stage shows.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is serious about conservation, so you can feel good about visiting.
- 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara
- sbzoo.org
4. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Located on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, the MOXI has a mission to “Ignite Learning Through Interactive Experiences in Science + Creativity.”
And what a mission it is! The MOXI is a three-story, 17,000 square foot museum that offers a wide range of interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity. The museum features more than 40 hands-on exhibits. I recommend starting on the rooftop Sky Garden and working your way down.
While the MOXI is a wonderful place for kids of all ages, I recommend it for younger kids especially.
Opened in 2017, this is a fairly new museum packed with high-tech, hands-on science fun. Some of the themed areas include the Tech Track, Speed Track, Sound Track, Light Track, and Sky Garden. The Sky Garden has a cool interactive water feature and five different observation scopes to take in the best views of the surrounding Santa Ynez mountains and Pacific Ocean.
One of the other highlights of MOXI is the Innovation Workshop. The Innovation Workshop is MOXI’s makerspace, where kids of all ages can get their hands on a variety of tools like 3D printers. From building intricate structures with magnetic blocks to experimenting with circuits, this hands-on experience will inspire kids to flex their problem-solving muscles.
- 125 State Street, Santa Barbara
- moxi.org
5. Stearns Wharf
If there is one destination more iconic than all the others in Santa Barbara, it is Stearns Wharf.
Built in 1872, Stearns Wharf celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. It is the oldest working wooden wharf in California.
This historic Santa Barbara landmark offers a unique experience for families looking to enjoy the coastal charm of the city. As you stroll along the wooden planks of the wharf, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and activities.
Stearns Wharf is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch while taking in the views and fresh Pacific Ocean air. The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is a casual spot and we always hit it at least once when visiting.
You’ll also want to finish off your visit with an ice cream cone or other treat at one of the picnic tables on the wharf.
One of the coolest things about the wharf is you can drive on it! And parking is free for the first 90 minutes. It is definitely a novelty to be able to drive on the pier and then spend a little time walking around or grabbing a meal. Keep in mind though, parking can be tough on the weekends! Plan to get there early, or just walk from your hotel or downtown.
- 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
- stearnswharf.org
6. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
Stearns Wharf is where you’ll find the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, an interactive marine education facility that is actually owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
The Sea Center is a fun and educational museum where kids can see, touch, and learn about marine life native to the area. There are touch tanks and aquarium exhibits including rays, sea stars, jellies, sea urchins, anemones and octopus. On the Wet Deck, kids can experiment with oceanographic tools to sample the ocean and examine life below.
- 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
- sbnature.org/visit/sea-center
7. Visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
If you love visiting museums as much as we do, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is not to be missed. Aside from its beautiful waterfront location (and great restaurant overlooking the harbor!) the Maritime Museum has cool exhibits showcasing everything from surf boards to Navy tattoos to maritime history in the area.
The museum is located right on the harbor and features nearly 8,000 square feet of exhibit space. Exhibits include a working periscope, the history of the Channel Islands, Deep-Water Commercial Diving, the Honda Naval Disaster, Surfing Legends, and the 19-centure Point Conception First-Order Fresnel Lighthouse Lens.
There is also an art gallery, theater, and interactive Children’s Gallery.
The building was originally constructed as the Naval Reserve Armory in the 1940s, and was the first building on the harbor. Opened to the public in July 2000, the museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting to the public the maritime heritage and on-going educational platform to study human interaction with the marine environment.
- 113 Harbor Way, Ste 190, Santa Barbara
- sbmm.org
8. Old Mission Santa Barbara
The first time we ever visited the Santa Barbara Mission, my son was in the fourth grade and he chose to write about it for his California Mission project. It is a fascinating destination, and definitely one the great activities in Santa Barbara for kids.
Old Mission Santa Barbara was established in 1786 and was the tenth of the 21 California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans. It is known as the “Queen of the Missions” and is a truly beautiful place to visit.
If you remember reading Scott O’Dell’s classic, Island of the Blue Dolphins, you’ll be fascinated to find that the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island whom the story is based on is buried in the Mission’s Cemetery.
Today your family can enjoy exploring the Mission and learning about its history on a self-guided tour. The grounds include a museum, gift shop, cemetery and mausoleum, and several historic gardens including the rose garden across the lawn in front.
- 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara
- santabarbaramission.org
9. Explore the Funk Zone
Located near the waterfront just east of lower State Street, the Funk Zone is one of Santa Barbara’s newest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Once an industrial hub, the old warehouses have been transformed into cool galleries, wine tasting rooms, breweries, boutiques, and restaurants.
We had such a great time wandering through this area! If it has been a few years since you visited Santa Barbara, chances are this will all be new to you, too. It is a welcome addition to the city – especially for adults – but families can enjoy it, too.
We had dinner at the Lucky Penny, a fun and casual pizza place in the heart of the Funk Zone. You can’t miss it – the outside of The Lucky Penny is covered with 164,456 real copper pennies!
The food here features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. We shared the Salty Surfer – a woodfired pizza with mozzarella, Italian prosciutto, caramelized pineapple and peppers – and the Italian chopped salad along with some craft beers in their fun courtyard.
The Lucky Penny is family-friendly. There were plenty of other kids sitting around the patio tables. The Lucky Penny is a unique and family friendly spot you must check out when you visit Santa Barbara!
10. Rent a Kayak or SUP
Spending time outside along the beautiful coastline is what visiting Santa Barbara is all about! A great way to do that is by going kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
There are a few different places you can rent paddleboards and kayaks. We rented ours from Santa Barbara Sailing Center. They are very conveniently located, and are great if you are traveling with kids or beginners.
You can choose between single or double kayaks, and also choose to take a group or private guided tour, or head out on your own to explore the Santa Barbara coastline. Along the way you will see seagulls, cormorants, brown pelicans, and even dolphins.
11. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Spend a few lovely hours enjoying nature and even doing a little hiking at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
Established in 1926, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was the first botanical garden in the United States to focus exclusively on native plants. Set on 78 acres of sloping foothills, the garden offers not only beautiful beds of native plants but 5.5 miles of scenic trails where more than a thousand California plant species are on display.
Native plants are showcased by different growing zones, including desert, island and chaparral habitats, as well as a peaceful redwood forest. (I felt like we were wandering through Muir Woods in San Francisco!) This is a wonderful way for kids to learn about different ecosystems.
There are also some buildings and children’s play areas to enjoy. You can check out remnants of the Mission Dam and Aqueduct. Built in the early 1800s, the Mission Dam and Aqueduct were constructed to supply the Mission with water and was pretty ingenious for its day! These historic features at the Botanic Garden offer a unique window into Santa Barbara’s history.
We visited the Botanic Garden in the early fall, but I hear that in spring and summer, the views of the gently sloping meadow abloom with wildflowers and backed by the Santa Ynez Mountain range are sublime!
- 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara
- sbbotanicgarden.org
12. Take a Ride on the Lil’ Toot Water Taxi
If you love the idea of taking a boat ride but don’t want to spend the time or money on a tour, take a ride on the Lil’ Toot Water Taxi.
Lil’ Toot is an adorable yellow tugboat that seats only 19 people. It provides a quick, 15-minute narrated boat ride between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. We took it from the Wharf to visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and it was the perfect addition to our busy day!
Santa Barbara’s original waterfront taxi, at just $10 for adults and $5 for children, Lil’ Toot is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids.
- 237 Stearns Wharf (Stearns Wharf Departure) or 113 Harbor Way (Harbor Departure), Santa Barbara
- liltootsb.com
13. Wander Down State Street Promenade
State Street is located in the heart of Santa Barbara. The city’s main road through downtown, it has long been the hub for dining, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment.
In recent years, the area has been closed to traffic and transformed into an expansive 10-block pedestrian walkway between Sola and Gutierrez Streets. You can now explore, browse, shop, and dine while enjoying the sights and sounds of State Street – without cars going by! This has also allowed many restaurants on State Street to expand their outdoor dining areas into the street.
14. Cabrillo Bike Path
With its beautiful coastline and scenic Cabrillo Bike Path providing the perfect stretch to take it all in, biking in Santa Barbara is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Many hotels provide complimentary use of their bikes, or you can rent them at Wheel Fun Rentals. They also rent surreys if you want to enjoy the ride as a family! We stayed at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort where two hours bike rental was included in the resort fee.
Ride along the 3-mile Cabrillo Bike Path in either direction. You’ll cruise by Stearns Wharf, East Beach, West Beach, Leadbetter Beach, the skatepark, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Harbor and many more lovely sights. Bike locks are included so you can stop along the way for lunch, ice cream, or to do a little exploring.
15. Play at the Beach
With over 100 miles of stunning California coastline stretching from El Capitan to Summerland, hitting the beach is a must! Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful beach towns in California, and spending time at the beach is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids.
If you are staying in the main part of town, the two closest beaches to Stearns Wharf and the downtown area are Leadbetter Beach and East Beach. Both are great for swimming and playing in the sand, while East Beach has volleyball courts and spots to rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. You can pick up a picnic lunch and enjoy the whole day at the beach!
Just a pinch past Leadbetter Beach is Hendry’s Beach. Officially named Arroyo Burro Beach Park, Hendry’s is a popular beach framed by towering cliffs and a coastline that beckons surfers and kids who want to play in the waves. The beach is dog-friendly, so you’re likely to see pups splashing along the shore too.
Butterfly Beach is known as the best spot to catch amazing sunsets, but you can enjoy them anywhere along the coast.
A short drive south of Santa Barbara is Carpinteria State Beach. I am including this one on the list because Carpinteria is known as known as the “World’s Safest Beach” and has been rated the #1 swimming beach in California, due mostly to its Southern exposure and its protection by the Channel Islands. It offers miles of wide, sandy shore and typically has a calm surf and no riptides, making it very fun and safe for children.
16. Take a Whale Watching Cruise
If you want to get out on the water in Santa Barbara and catch a glimpse of its abundant marine life in the wild, taking a whale watching cruise is an activity that the whole family will enjoy.
The Santa Barbara Channel is home to over 30 species of whales and dolphins. From November through April, thousands of Pacific gray whales – some as long as 50 feet or more – migrate through the area heading south to Baja California. You can catch sight of these majestic mammals on a whale watching cruise, along with dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and other marine life.
There are several companies that offer whale watching cruises in Santa Barbara. Condor Express Whale Watching, Sunset Kidd, and Celebration Cruises. We enjoyed a tour with Double Dolphin, which is a 50-foot catamaran. I also highly recommend this Whale and Wildlife Yacht Cruise in Santa Barbara. Even without seeing any whales, it was amazing spending time out on the water in this spectacular sailboat.
► Be sure to also check out these family-friendly things to do in Solvang, located just a short drive away from Santa Barbara.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara
During our most recent visit to Santa Barbara, we stayed at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The hotel is located right across the street from East Beach, and just a short drive away from Stearns Wharf, downtown, and all the great things to do in Santa Barbara.
The Hilton Santa Barbara is a sprawling (24 acres!), upscale resort with an array of great amenities including tennis courts, lawn games, and a heated pool. The location is ideal; it was so nice being able to explore the city during the day and then return to our hotel to enjoy time at the beach before dinner.
And speaking of dinner, we dined at The Set, the Hilton’s signature restaurant. The Set is an American bistro with breathtaking ocean views and fireside dining stations. They serve classic dishes and specialty cocktails.
We tried the Lobster Roll and Mercado Salad (chopped Romaine, charred corn, candied jalapeño, Cotija cheese, baby tomato, pickled onion, and fried avocado). The food was great and we enjoyed our casual dinner out by the fire pit.
► Travel Insight
If you would like to reserve a fire pit at The Set, the best time to do it is at sunset!
We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The rooms are recently updated and feature bright, coastal-inspired décor. Every room has a private a private balcony or patio. We had a suite on the second floor and the balcony was very spacious and had lounge chairs and a table, and a nice view of the ocean across the street.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
Located just an hour and a half north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara offers a wealth of kid-friendly attractions that will make your family trip truly unforgettable. From exploring the area’s rich history at its many great museums to spending time on the beach and enjoying the outdoors, there is something for everyone.
All you need is a few days to revel in the charms of this beautiful seaside destination in Southern California to understand why it is called the American Riviera.
Save These Santa Barbara Activities for Later!
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