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Santa Barbara Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Santa Barbara Family-friendly activities

Santa Barbara: Catamaran Coastal Cruise

1. Santa Barbara: Catamaran Coastal Cruise

Experience the beauty of Santa Barbara on this coastal catamaran cruise. Sail along the coast and breathe in the salt air, with the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Channel Islands surrounding you as the backdrop. Try to spot local marine and aerial life and relax in the sun with friends and family. Bask in the afternoon sun as you sail the Santa Barbara coastline on a catamaran. Climb aboard and set off, with the Santa Ynez Mountains calling in the distance. Over a dozen beaches and stunning villas line the ocean-carved coastline, making the best view of Santa Barbara, from the ocean. Enjoy a unique experience with family and friends, spotting California sea lions, otters, seals, dolphins, and many coastal birds. Lear, about local life and why this city is a popular place to visit year-round.

Ventura: 1.5-Hour Private Beginner's Surf Lesson

2. Ventura: 1.5-Hour Private Beginner's Surf Lesson

Learn to surf at Mondos Beach with a private 1.5-hour beginner's surf lesson. Take advantage of the more gentle waves and generous space at Mondos Beach as you pick up the techniques and etiquette of surfing. Meet your instructor at the surf van located on Mondos Beach and get suited up in a wetsuit. Grab a longboard and walk to the sand for beach instructions. You'll be briefed on water and surf safety, etiquette, and proper technique before jumping into the ocean to catch some waves. Follow your instructor as they coach and push you into waves to give you an experience that will last a lifetime. Enjoy the gentle long breaking waves of Mondo Beach lending itself to longer rides for you. Your lesson is private so you or your group can have their own instructor and a more personalized experience.

Santa Barbara: Stand-up Paddle Board Rental

3. Santa Barbara: Stand-up Paddle Board Rental

Make your way to the beach rental stand located at West Beach located between Stearn's Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor. Upon arrival, get equipped with all the gear required, as well as a safety briefing before you set off. With plenty of advice from the team on where to go and what to see, start discovering the beautiful coastline at your leisure. See various points of interest within the harbor and the areas around Stearn's Wharf. Search for marine life, with sightings of sea lions, seals, and dolphins common in the area.

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

4. Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Enjoy a comfortable and smooth ride on a 7-speed bicycle with this full-day bike rental in Santa Barbara. Take advantage of the over 300 days of sunshine per year and discover the waterfront with a map of the bike routes in the area. Head to the bike shop and pick up your bike. Get a helmet for yourself and any other rider peddling with you. Take the family along too with 24” and 20” kid's mountain bikes. Feel free to ask the rental staff for recommendations where to eat or what to do on your ride. Glide along the coastal boardwalk and feel free to stop and pick something up with the included lock and basket. Return the bike to the rental shop at the end of the rental period.

Santa Barbara: Shopping and Scenic Private Day Trip

5. Santa Barbara: Shopping and Scenic Private Day Trip

Discover the beautiful city of Santa Barbara on a private day trip. Take in scenic beach views, shop in the Camarillo outlet mall, and stroll around the city admiring the Mediterranean-style architecture. Begin your trip by departing from Los Angeles County or Orange County with your own driver. Make your first stop at the iconic Santa Monica Pier and have fun in the amusement park. Stay for about an hour to enjoy the attractions, take pictures, and do some shopping. From here, drive to the Camarillo Outlet Mall, via the Pacific Coast. Find brand-name retail at highly discounted prices and take a couple of hours to browse, shop, and dine. Finally arrive in Santa Barbara, a city on the central California coast. Explore the city and admire the red-tile roofs that reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. Visit local shops, discover the outdoor dining or head to the golden sandy beaches.

Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara

What are the best day trips and excursions from Santa Barbara?

The best day trips and excursions from Santa Barbara are:

Solvang

Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Barbara

Want to discover all there is to do in Santa Barbara? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Santa Barbara, California

This surf lesson really made our trip to Ventura special! It was a really fun lesson and our guide, Quincy, was excellent and patient with us beginner surfers. He first showed us how to pop up on the sand before going into the water and then once we were out there, he guided us through which waves to take and when to pop up. He was also really nice and good to talk to between waves. It was great that the wetsuit was included because the water was a little cold and that they had us use foam surfboards. It was pretty easy to stand up on the boards they provided. Overall, loved this experience and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun beach activity. 10/10!

Great crew! Unobtrusive, communicative, imparting knowledge about dolphins and other sea creatures. Small bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on board. Lots of dolphins seen right off the boat. The overall experience is a clear recommendation! Good value for money!

Sophia was very nice and explained everything to us well. We really managed to ride several waves. Beach a bit crowded in the afternoon.

Beautiful and relaxing! Staff were wonderful…did everything to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed.

We went on a morning cruise and practically had the boat to ourselves Lovely