Stevens Park

Stevens Park is a shady park with a small 2-5 play structure, 5-12 play structure, toddler and regular swings all over wood chips. The play equipment was recently installed (June 2015) so if you haven't been recently, check it out. There is also accessible creek to play in as well as green open space. It is located in San Roque off San Roque Rd on Canon Dr: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stevens+Park/@34.4502118,-119.735003,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xb40a34c7f1d9851c

Pros
There is now play equipment for big kids and little kids.
The climbing parts are great for big kids.
There are bathrooms!

Cons
Parking is somewhat limited.
Although this was a great toddler park, the new 5-12 structure is very high for little climbers.
If you are uncomfortable with kids going in the (generally dry) creek, this is not the right park for you!

2-5 Play structure

2-5 play structure (back)

5-12 play structure

5-12 climbing area

Creek Rock Climbing

swings

Chase Palm Park

Chase Palm Park is a huge park with a 2-5 play structure, a 5-12 play structure, that include slides, tunnels and climbing areas (over rubber mat, wood chips and sand). There is also a carousel, ponds and a large green area. It is located on Cabrillo Boulevard near East Beach: https://plus.google.com/102920907864352910205/about?gl=us&hl=en

Pros
There is a great variety of equipment here.
There are bathrooms that are generally clean.

Cons
There are lots of nooks and crannies so it can be easy to lose sight of your kids.
No swings 
There is limited close parking.

Smaller 5-12 Play Structure

Larger 5-12 play structure

Larger 5-12 play structure (side)

2-5 play structure

Lighthouse

Smaller 5-12 play structure (side)

Larger 5-12 play structure (Back)

Carousel (temporarily closed this day)

Pond Area: Duck and Turtles

Upper Manning Park

Upper Manning Park is a toddler friendly park in Montecito with a 2-5 play structure over a rubber mat and a picturesque reservable area. Lower Manning is reviewed here. It is located off San Ysidro Rd past the school to the left: https://plus.google.com/115452135013174546551/about?hl=en

Pros
The play structure is toddler friendly
Clean bathrooms
Parking is easy.

Cons
This is a small structure and there is no play equipment for the older kids.

Small play structure

No high places to fall off!

Nice party area

Hidden Valley Park

Hidden Valley Park is a shady, toddler friendly park. It has a 2-5 play structure with a slide, a spinner, and 2 toddler swings over rubber mat. It is located off Modoc Rd on Calle de los Amigos: https://plus.google.com/107468129898096800441/about?gl=us&hl=en

Pros
This park has a lot of shade!
It is rarely crowded.
This park is truly toddler friendly.

Cons
No bathrooms
No play equipment for the older kids

No high places to fall off!

Small climbing wall

zebra riding toy and petal shaped spinner

Goleta Beach Park

Goleta Beach Park is a beach side park with a 5-12 play structure with a climbing wall and 2 slides (over rubber mat), swings (over sand), and bathrooms. It is located (of course) at Goleta Beach near the end of Fairview Ave: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/parks/parks02.aspx?id=7682

Pros
Having the beach and playground together is a nice way to mix the time up for a beach visit!
There are bathrooms with doors.
My kids like the climbing wall

Cons
If you make it to the beach, the kids want to go in the water, whatever the weather....
This park can be crowded! 

Double and twisty slide

Climbing wall

Swings

Sliding bar

Escondido Park

This Mesa area park is shady for your warm summer-in-fall days. It has a 2-5 year old play structure (over rubber mat), 2 toddler swings (over wood chips) and a basketball court. It is located off Cliff Dr on Flora Vista Dr https://plus.google.com/108101695524541166386/about?gl=us&hl=en

Pros
This park has lots of trees and is shady on a warm day.
The structure is toddler friendly.

Cons
There are no bathrooms.
Beside the basketball court, there is no play equipment for the older kids.

Santa Barbara Museum Free Days

Updated post with other free events.

So I recently went digging to find out if there were museum fee free days in and around Santa Barbara. Here is what I found:

Santa Barbara Museum of Art free Thursday evenings (5-8)
Santa Barbara Natural History Museum 3rd Sunday (except May-August)

These museums are always free or donation based:
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Carpinteria Valley Historical Museum
Carriage and Western Art Museum 
Hans Christian Andersen Museum (Solvang)
South Coast Railway Museum (Goleta)
UCSB Art Design and Architecture Museum
Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art

Also if you are checking out freebees, look in to the free summer bowling program at Zodo's.  http://www.zodos.com/open-bowling/kids-bowl-free-summer/


Please comment with additions and I will update the list!

Eastside Neighborhood Park

**Updated 2024 with new play equipment 

Eastside Neighborhood Park is a large grass open space with a 2-5 play structure (over rubber mat) at one end. The back is adjacent to community gardens. There are also toddler swings. It is located on Soledad Street and Yanonali St near Franklin School: https://plus.google.com/113374316631481821843/about?gl=us&hl=en

Pros
This one does not seem to get crowded.
This is a toddler friendly structure.
You can walk here from the Eastside library before/after storytime! 
Parking is simple.

Cons
There is no equipment for the older kids.
There are no bathrooms.