SoCal Nature Kids’ Guide to Santa Barbara County, California

Looking for a nature area to explore with your family in Santa Barbara County? Check out these family-friendly places, recommended by me or other Southern California parents.

It’s always a good idea to check each location’s web site for updated information before you go, and use your judgment regarding safety for your family at these locations.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

• Kids’ World Playground at Alameda Park

• Chase Palm Park - Shipwreck Playground 236 East Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY GARDENS AND FARMS

• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105)

• Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden (151 Sycamore Dr Buellton, CA 93427)

• Ganna Waska Lotusland (695 Ashley Rd, Montecito, CA 93108)

• Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens (1500 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

• Mission Rose Garden (420 Plaza Rubio, Santa Barbara, CA 93103)

• Seaside Gardens (3700 Via Real Carpinteria, CA 93013)

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CAMPING SPOTS

• Cachuma Lake ( 1 Lakeview Dr Santa Barbara, CA 93105) stunning lake (no body contact).

• Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground (180 Ave of Flags, Buellton, CA 93427)

• Carpinteria State Beach (205 Palm Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013)

• El Capitan State Beach (10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA)

• Jalama Beach (9999 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436) Don’t miss their burgers!

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BEACHES AND TIDE POOLS

• Leadbetter Beach 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

• East Beach 118 East Cabrillo Blvd.  Santa Barbara, CA

• Butterfly Beach 1260 Channel Drive  Montecito, CA

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MUSEUMS

• SB Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105)

• SB Museum of Natural History Sea Center (211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara 93101)

• Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center (3500 Numancia St. Santa Ynez, CA 93460)

• Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (113 Harbor Way STE 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109)

• California Nature Art Museum (1511-B Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463)

• Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes Center (1065 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe, CA 93434-1321)

• Santa Maria Valley Children’s Discovery Center (705 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454)

• MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation (125 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HIKING TRAILS AND NATURE AREAS

• Santa Maria River Estuary - Rancho Guadalupe Dunes (6999 W Main St, Guadalupe, CA 93434)

• Andre Clark Bird Refuge (34a Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108)

• Nojoqui Falls County Park 3250 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463

• UCSB North Campus Open Space (Atlantic Ct, Goleta, CA 93117)

• Cachuma Lake (1 Lakeview Dr Santa Barbara, CA 93105)

• For even more ideas, consider visiting any of the places listed here: http://www.sbcobirding.com/birdersguide.html

• 10+ locations in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Lompoc - with helpful maps and brochures for each = https://healthypeoplehealthytrails.org/easy-hikes/

  Douglas Family Preserve (2551 Medcliff Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93109)

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS

• Cachuma Lake Recreation Area (1 Lakeview Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93105)

• Jalama Beach County Park (9999 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436)

• Los Alamos County Park (500 Drum Canyon Rd, Los Alamos, CA 93440)

• Miguelito Park (3051 San Miguelito Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436)

• Nojoqui Falls Park (3250 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463)

• Ocean Beach Park (6851 Ocean Park Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436)

• Orcutt Community Park (5800 S Bradley Rd, Orcutt, CA 93455)

• Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve (6999 W Main St, Guadalupe, CA 93434)

• Richardson County Park (New Cuyama, CA 93254)

• Santa Rosa Park (5925 Santa Rosa Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436)

• Santa Ynez Park (3200 Cuesta Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460)

• Waller Park (3107 Orcutt Rd, Orcutt, CA 93455)

• Arroyo Burro Beach (CA 93109) - also known as Hendry’s Beach

• Goleta Beach Park (5986 Sandspit Rd, Goleta, CA 93117-3903)

• Isla Vista Park (Isla Vista, CA 93117)

• Lookout Park (Lookout Park Rd, Summerland, CA 93067)

• Manning Park (449 San Ysidro Rd, Montecito, CA 93108-2133)

• Oceanview Park (100 Greenwell Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013)

• Rincon Beach Park (Via Real Carpinteria, CA 93105)

• Rocky Nook Park (610 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105)

• Toro Canyon Park (3576 Toro Canyon Park Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1636)

• Tucker's Grove Park (4800 Cathedral Oaks Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111)

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ZOOS AND ANIMALS:

• Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103)

  Santa Barbara Sanctuary (2430 Lillie Avenue, Summerland, CA 93067) focuses on parrots - https://www.sbbird.org