Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 03:26 pm
Looking for the very best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids?
If so, this list is for you! I absolutely love visiting this glorious coastal town, and since we live in Southern California, I get to go often.
With its gorgeous coastline, swaying palm trees, and picture-perfect climate, it is easy to see why Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera. It is the perfect destination for a family beach getaway. But thereâs more to this town than its fabulous beaches.
We recently got to spend three blissful days exploring Santa Barbara. And though I have been there many times before, this trip was special because we got to check out some places we hadn’t yet visited, including some cool hidden gems in Santa Barbara. And frankly, I left most of them wondering why we didn’t go sooner!
Top 5 Picks: Things to Do in Santa Barbara
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best family-friendly things to do in Santa Barbara, I am here to help! Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
âș Shop, dine, and stroll along Stearns Wharf.
âș See the coast, the Mission, top sights and more on the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour.
âș Ride bikes along the scenic Cabrillo Bike Path and spend time on the beach.
âș Check out MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
âș See dinosaurs and more at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Keep reading for more details on these top things to do in Santa Barbara with kids, plus lots more ideas to help you plan your trip!
15 Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
From interactive museums to outdoor adventures, here are the best Santa Barbara activities for an ideal family vacation on the California coast.
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 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 like the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Trolley, 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.
The Santa Barbara Trolley Tour departs from the Visitor Center, conveniently located right across from Stearns Wharf.
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour Location & Information
- Address: 1 Garden Street, Santa Barbara
- Tours run daily at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm
âș Book discount tickets for the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour.
2. 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.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Location & Information
- Address: 113 Harbor Way, Ste 190, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed Wednesday
- Website: www.sbmm.org
3. 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 âQueen of the Missionsâ and is a truly beautiful place to visit.
If you remember reading Scott OâDellâs classic, Island of the Blue Dolphins, youâll be fascinated to find that the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island whom the story is based on is buried in the Missionâs 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.
Old Mission Santa Barbara Location & Information
- Address: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm
- Website: www.santabarbaramission.org
4. 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 youâre 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 Californiaâs central coast.
The museum looks deceptively small from the outside, but inside youâll 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!
Museum of Natural History Location & Information
- Address: 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Wednesday-Monday: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed Tuesday
- Website: www.sbnature.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 recently 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.
Youâll 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.
Stearns Wharf Location & Information
- Address: 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Website: www.stearnswharf.org
6. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
Stearns Wharf is where youâll 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.
Museum of Natural History Sea Center Location & Information
- Address: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
- Website: www.sbnature.org/visit/sea-center
7. Wander Down State Street Promenade
State Street is located in the heart of Santa Barbara. The cityâs 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 â without cars going by! This has also allowed many restaurants on State Street to expand their outdoor dining areas into the street.
8. Explore the Funk Zone
Located near the waterfront just east of lower State Street, the Funk Zone is one of Santa Barbaraâs 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 enjoyed dinner at the Lucky Penny, a fun and casual pizza place in the heart of the Funk Zone. You canât miss it â 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. 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!
9. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Located on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, the MOXI has a mission to âIgnite Learning Through Interactive Experiences in Science + Creativity.â
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.
MOXI Location & Information
- Address: 125 State Street, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
- Website: www.moxi.org
10. 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 childrenâs 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 Barbaraâs 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!
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Location & Information
- Address: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, Reservations are required
- Website: www.sbbotanicgarden.org
11. Take a Ride on the Lilâ Toot Water Taxi
If you love the idea of taking a boat ride but donât want to spend the time or money on a tour, take a ride on the Lilâ Toot Water Taxi.
Lilâ 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 Barbaraâs original waterfront taxi, at just $10 for adults and $5 for children, Lilâ Toot is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids.
Lilâ Toot Location & Information
- Address: 237 Stearns Wharf (Stearns Wharf Departure) or 113 Harbor Way (Harbor Departure), Santa Barbara
- Hours: Runs Friday through Monday
- Harbor Departure Times â Friday-Monday: 11:45am, 12:45pm, 1:45pm, 1:45pm, 2:45pm, and 3:45
- Stearns Wharf Departure Times â Friday-Monday: 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:15pm, and 4:15
- Website: www.liltootsb.com
12. 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 zooâs 26â 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. It is one of the 220+ accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP), a cooperative conservation program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More than 200 different species are managed, aimed at maintaining genetic diversity within AZA populations, sustaining these populations, and guarding against extinction.
Santa Barbara Zoo Location & Information
- Address: 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara
- Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
- Website: www.sbzoo.org
13. 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. Youâll 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.
14. Play at the Beach
With over 100 miles of stunning California coastline stretching from El Capitan to Summerland, hitting the beach is a must when visiting Santa Barbara! 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 Hendryâs Beach. Officially named Arroyo Burro Beach Park, Hendryâs 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 youâre 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 âWorldâs Safest Beachâ 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.
15. 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 â some as long as 50 feet or more â 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. Even without seeing any whales, it was amazing spending time out on the water in this spectacular sailboat.
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 Hiltonâs 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.
âș 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
Santa Barbara offers a wealth of kid-friendly attractions that will make your family trip truly unforgettable. From exploring the areaâs 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.
For more ideas and help planning your Santa Barbara family vacation, visit santabarbaraca.com.
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Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Santa Barbara and Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are my own.
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