Santa Barbara with Kids: A Travel Guide
Rosewood Miramar Beach lawn
Santa Barbara, a charming seaside enclave meets college town located 1.5 hours (depending on traffic) north of Los Angeles, is a perfect place for an easy family vacation. With miles of beaches, kid-friendly museums, and a zoo, Santa Barbara is filled with opportunities for the entire family. Read our full travel guide below for how to enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer.
Kids flying a kite outside Rosewood Miramar Beach
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While technically in Montecito, 15 minutes from Santa Barbara, we loved every minute of our time at the wonderfully family-friendly Rosewood Miramar Beach. The property has a large kid’s pool, nightly s’mores, and a cute ice cream parlor. There’s also kid’s menus at every restaurant and it’s one of the few hotels on the beach. Read our full hotel review here. While it’s not cheap, there are lots of perks for kids, including a welcome gift. Our kids also got a huge kick from taking the complimentary (pink) jolly shuttle to dinner one night.
The complimentary jolly will shuttle you anywhere within a 3-mile-radius of the Rosewood Miramar
Hotel Californian while not directly on the beach, has a great location in the Funk Zone, perfect for an active family who wants to explore the best Santa Barbara has to offer. There is also a beautiful pool overlooking the ocean.
Palihouse Santa Barbara is another boutique hotel option in Santa Barbara. This hotel boasts a wonderfully central location that is still quiet and peaceful. There are bikes available to explore your surroundings as well.
Best Restaurants for Kids
Broad Street Oyster Co is a great fast-casual seafood spot right in downtown Santa Barbara, within walking distance of the Moxi Children’s Museum.
Lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co
Jeanine’s Restaurant and Bakery is a Santa Barbara classic. There are great options for kids and adults. The location is also steps from the Pier, making it a great stop before or after the Sea Center. There is also another location in Montecito.
Bettina Pizzeria has incredible Napolean-style pizzas and a very cute outdoor patio in the heart of Montecito. It can get packed, so be sure to make a reservation for peak times. They also offer takeout.
Exploring at Moxi Children's Museum
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The Sea Center on the Pier in Santa Barbara is such a wonderful hands-on experience for kids to get up close and personal with sealife. You can touch everything, including sharks. The kids could have spent hours here exploring this relatively compact space.
The Moxi Children’s Museum was wonderfully entertaining for the entire family. There are great science experiments and opportunities to learn while having fun. This museum is also centrally located in downtown Santa Barbara and the roof has beautiful views of the ocean.
Santa Barbara Zoo is a fantastic place to spend the day with kids. While not huge, this zoo packs a large punch with beautifully designed exhibits and incredible animals.
It would be a waste to visit Santa Barbara and not visit at least one beach, with so many incredible options in the neighborhood. We enjoyed Miramar Beach in Montecito for it’s wonderful tidepools at low tide.
Playing soccer at Miramar Beach