Little Patch of Earth

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Monday, June 28, 2021

Santa Barbara Library

**This post was written pre-COVID and has been updated as much as possible.

The Santa Barbara Library was one of my favorite places as a kid (remember the mural with Corduroy?). It has changed a lot but it is still a favorite for my kids.

NON-COVID: In summer, enjoy the summer reading program and during the school year, events are planned for the weekend and after school. Before COVID, younger kids love the whole lower level blocks, legos, puzzles, window nooks and older kids love the games on the computers.

COVID: The Santa Barbara is open for sidewalk service and express service Tuesday through Saturday from T 10am-2pm, W10am-4pm, Th 12pm-6pm, F/S 10am-4pm and it will be open for up to 94 patrons inside for browsing for books, self-checkout as well as computer use or books for sale. Patrons can browse for up to 30 minutes. Carpinteria, Eastside and Montecito hours here. (A couple friends have visited and say it is actually more relaxed than this sounds.)

The Santa Barbara Summer Reading Program is also tracked online, using the WandooReader site to keep track of the books for school aged children, teens and adults (younger children are encouraged to participate in the 1000 Books before Kindergarten). There will be events online and outdoors found on the library website. Kids can participate in a fun community based scavenger hunt and earn a free book.

Why it is a favorite: The toys and play area were favorites with toddlers and early elementary kids.

Location: 40 E Anapamu St Santa Barbara

Directions: Take 101 to the Mission St. off ramp. Turn toward the mountains and continue to Anacapa St. Turn right and continue to the entrance to the parking structure (Library Ave.) across from the Courthouse.

Time Spent: 20 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on events and kids

Cost: Free

Hours: See above

Parking: The lot next to the library generally has plenty of parking and is free for 75 minutes.

Nearby: Courthouse and Kid's World

More info: https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library

Special Events: There are many kid friendly monthly events listed on their website or Facebook page.

Kid Quotes: "I liked the time we took apart owl poop." 10 year old

Note: Pictures taken pre-COVID

Window Nooks

Work Areas

Puzzles

Play Area

Island Room

Play Area

Computers

Blocks

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Feeding the Ducks

We used to feed the ducks bread, but a few years back we learned that bread is not a great food for ducks. It is like junk food, they like it but it isn't healthy for them. My kids still like feeding the ducks so this summer we will make food (teaching kitchen skills too, bonus!).

Our favorite two spots are Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens and Lake Los Carneros. At Alice Keck, just head down to the pond in any which way. (On a side note, did you know that the name of the woman who donated the land to the city actually Alice Keck Park which is why they needed to add Memorial Gardens.) At Lake Los Carneros, we take the paved path from La Patera and head down toward the water before the fence starts.

The recipe we make came from my older daughter's Girl Scout troop and is based on this one, created with input from a zookeeper.

Healthy Duck Food Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup Brown Rice
Greens (I used broccoli, carrot and apple)
2 hard-boiled eggs (with shells)
2 tablespoons of wholemeal flour

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the rice, according to the package instructions.
Finely chop the broccoli. Grate carrot and apple.
Smash eggs and ensure they are crushed and/or chopped well. The egg shells need to be very small.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Roll the mixture into small marble-sized balls and place onto an oven-proof tray.
Cook in the oven for 10-13 minutes.
The mixture should hold its shape but still be soft.

Want to know more about ducks and bread? Pop Sci or a goofy PSA video

Other duck food suggestions: Chopped lettuce, peas, cracked corn, oats, rice, bird seed, mealworms, earth worms, shelled and unflavored nuts or Quack Snacks/duck pellets. Generally things that float will get eaten more than ones that sink.

Lake Los Carneros

Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens

Related Posts: Lake Los Carneros and Kids World

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Monday, June 21, 2021

Golf N Stuff

Golf N Stuff is a miniature golf course and arcade with rides like bumper cars as well. The arcade is not currently open (reopening April 26 2021), but everything else is. It is a fun excursion for the day, but it can get expensive with the arcade and rides.

Cost: Mini Golf $13 per person or $18 2 hours unlimited, $9.75 per ride and tokens $.25 (less if you buy $5 or more), Passes for $19/$29 for 1 round of mini golf, 1 ride/3 rides and 4 game tokens
TIP: Print out any coupons ahead of time (upper left on their website).

Hours: M-Th 10am-9pm (rides 2pm-9pm), Friday/Saturday 10am-10pm (Rides 11am-9pm)

Time: 1 hour to 90 minutes for golf, more if you ride or arcade.
More information: Golf N Stuff Ventura
Directions: Take the 101 S from Santa Barbara to Ventura (37 miles). Exit at Telephone Rd and turn left, turn right onto Portola. Stay on Portola Rd and it becomes Ralston St. Turn right onto Dowell Dr and follow it as it becomes walker. It will be on the left.

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Fairview Gardens

Fairview Gardens is a spot on our favorites list. They have camps in summer. In fall, winter and spring, there are toddler classes as well homeschooling classes. The stand is open occasionally, but the farm is open to the community from 8am to sundown for exploration and fun. There is a small parking lot at the stand and you can walk back the dirt path to the main part of the farm or you can park in the library lot and walk back into the farm using the path at the back of the lot. The farm has u-pick strawberries on occasion and we miss the CSA although they now do produce bags for pick up.

Why it is a favorite: We did the CSA for several years before and with tiny kids. We love visiting the library and taking nature time next door.
Where its located: 598 N Fairview Ave, next door to Goleta Valley Library
Directions: Take 101N to the Fairview Ave exit, turn towards the mountains (north) and it is about half a mile up on the left
Time Spent: 20 min-1.5 hours
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am to Sundown, Farm Stand Wednesday 2pm-6:30pm and Saturday 9am-1pm
Parking: Library lot or at the stand
Nearby: Goleta Valley Library and Stow Park
More info: https://www.fairviewgardens.org/
Kid Quotes: 6 year old "The trees are my favorite."

Fairview Farm Stand (on Fairview Ave)

Farm Hours

Children's Garden

Herb Garden

Zinnias

Orchard

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Monday, June 14, 2021

Goleta Valley Library

This is post 250, y'all! I am amazed I still have ideas after this long. 😉

**This post was written pre-COVID and has been updated as much as possible.

The Goleta Valley Library is recently separated from the Santa Barbara with new vision and leadership.

NON-COVID: In summer, enjoy the summer reading program and during the school year, events are planned for the weekend and after school. Before COVID, younger kids love the blocks, legos, puzzles, puppet theater and older kids love the games on the computers as well as the teen area.

COVID: The Goleta library is open for sidewalk service Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm and it will be open for up to 25 patrons inside for browsing for books, self-checkout as well as computer use or books for sale. Patrons are let in on the hour 20 minutes after, and 40 minutes after and can browse for up to 15 minutes. They also provide grab n go bags, crafts and online opportunities.

Why it is a favorite: Reading to the dogs (at age 6), train table (at age 3) and events

Location: 500 N Fairview Avenue in Goleta

Directions: Take 101 to the Fairview Ave. off ramp. Turn toward the mountains and continue about .5 mile. It will be on the right.

Time Spent: 10 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on events and kids

Cost: Free

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-4pm for pick up

Parking: The lot at the library is small, but you can park at the church next door (to the right) at the back of their parking lot.

Nearby: Fairview Farms and Stow Grove Park

More info: https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library

Special Events: There are many kid friendly monthly events listed on their website or Facebook page, especially during summer.

Kid Quotes: "Michael Katz and story tellers go there and they do crafts and experiments."

Book and Storytime Area

Train Table and Building Blocks

Computer Areas

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Summer Reading Programs

Both the Santa Barbara Library and the Goleta Library have summer reading programs.

The Goleta Summer Reading Program is fully online like last year, using the Beanstack site to keep track of the books. It is open to all ages. There will be events online listed at the library website.

The Goleta library is open for sidewalk service Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm and it will be open for up to 25 patrons inside for browsing for books, self-checkout as well as computer use or books for sale. Patrons are let in on the hour 20 minutes after, and 40 minutes after and can browse for up to 15 minutes. Solvang and Buellton Libraries have the same hours with sidewalk service and browsing (up to 6 patrons at Solvang and up to 5 at Buellton) as well as the same reading program through Beanstack.

The Santa Barbara Summer Reading Program is also tracked online, using the WandooReader site to keep track of the books for school aged children, teens and adults (younger children are encouraged to participate in the 1000 Books before Kindergarten). There will be events online and outdoors found on the library website. Kids can participate in a fun community based scavenger hunt and earn a free book.

The Santa Barbara is open for sidewalk service and express service Tuesday through Saturday from T 10am-2pm, W10am-4pm, Th 12pm-6pm, F/S 10am-4pm and it will be open for up to 94 patrons inside for browsing for books, self-checkout as well as computer use or books for sale. Patrons can browse for up to 30 minutes. Carpinteria, Eastside and Montecito hours here.

Why it is a favorite: Earning free things

Location: Various (online this year)

Time Spent: Endless :)

Cost: Free

Hours: See above

More info: see above

Special Events: Check the library websites Goleta and Santa Barbara

Kid Quotes: "The reading program is the best." 10 year old

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Monday, June 7, 2021

Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a Santa Barbara classic. The estate was originally owned by a wealthy couple who allowed a homeless encampment on the property (near where the entrance is today). Lillian Child left her estate for the benefit of the community to the Santa Barbara Foundation which eventually began the small Santa Barbara Zoo in 1963. The camps over spring break and in summer are also classic Santa Barbara. In recent years, the zoo has offered classes during the school year for preschoolers and homeschool students.

Why it is a favorite: The playground at the top of the hill was a perfect spot with younger kids and now the girls like to see the animals as well as ride the train.

Location: 500 Ninos Dr in Santa Barbara (near East Beach).

Directions: Take 101S to the Milpas (southbound) exit. Take a right on to Milpas St and then left onto Ninos Dr after the railroad tracks.

Time Spent: .5 hour to 3 hours

Cost: $20/$12 with memberships for families beginning at $135.

Hours: The zoo is open every day (even holidays) 10 am – 5 pm with shorter hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

Parking: $11 per vehicle (although it is not enforced on non-busy days). Free to members.

Nearby: East Beach and Dwight Murphy Park

More info: https://www.sbzoo.org/

Special Events: Craft every Saturday and Sunday from 11-2 and Safari Sleepovers for families and Scouts. Fairytale Weekend in March, El Día del Niño in April, Boo to the Zoo in October and Snow Leopard Festival in December.

Kid Quotes: "I like the Island and Fennec Foxes." 10 Year old "I like everything at the zoo especially the gibbon court. It would be good for me." 7 year old

Humbolt Penguins

Western Lowland Gorilla

Masai Giraffes

Peacocks roam

Feeding Navajo-Churro Sheep

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)