Little Patch of Earth: September 2021

Thursday, September 30, 2021

East Beach Batting Cages

The batting cages are a fun past time for the physically active kids. The different cages have different speeds as well as baseball and softball pitches. We love to go bat a little, then eat tacos for dinner at East Beach Tacos (11am-6pm). You can also get dinner at the Habit next door (11am-9pm) or take a picnic to the nearby Cabrillo Ball Park that has the SB Chromatic Gate. If you are going, be sure to check out the Axxess deal: Buy one, get one the first time and buy 3, get 1 anytime!

Why it is a favorite: They loved being taught to hit by daddy.

Location: On Milpas St near the railroad crossing

Directions: Heading south on the 101, exit first Milpas exit and take a right onto Milpas. The batting cages are about half a block down, just past Habit.

Time Spent: 30 to 45 minutes plus taco time.

Cost: $3 and up

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10-9, Sunday 10-8

Parking: Parking in the lot next door is very limited at busy times.

Nearby: East Beach, SB Zoo, Dwight Murphy Park,

More info: Batting Cages Website or Facebook

Kid Quotes: "Mom can we go back to the batting cages?" 8 year old

Kid's Choice Awards (Summer 2021)

Summer of the Beaches II (Summer 2020)

Summer of Museums (Summer 2019)

Summer of Day Trips (Summer 2018)

Summer of Nature Walks and Easy Hikes (Summer 2017)

Summer of the Beaches (Summer 2016)

Summer of the Parks (Summer 2015)

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Goleta and Noleta Pocket Libraries 2021

I first posted about pocket libraries back in 2016 and we have noticed many more in the last several years. Some are registered with Little Free Library (map) and some not (partially because of a disagreement between the original organization and the family of the founder), but most are a take one, leave one system. The former librarian in me loves this and I need to make one some day.... But until then, I will enjoy other people's pocket libraries. Thanks to my Facebook Friends for helping update the list for ones not on the Little Free Library map. We appreciated finding books, especially when the libraries were closed.

Pocket Library List by Address
Goleta (93117)
- 226 Ancona Dr, Goleta (Bella Vista neighborhood)
* 66 Brandon Dr, Goleta (Brandon neighborhood)

* 6187 Caleta Ave (at Carlo)

* 6597 Camino Venturoso (Lake Los Carneros neighborhood)

- 217 Hillview Dr (Brandon neighborhood)

- 5786 Hollister Ave (Old Town)

- 5661 Marbury Dr (Kellogg neighborhood)
* 6072 Paseo Palmilla (La Goleta area)
* 6169 Stow Canyon Rd, Goleta (Goleta Valley JH area)--we did not see this one 2020.
* 530 Windsor Ave (Goleta Valley JH area)
* 644 Windsor Ave (Goleta Valley JH area)

* 220 Vereda Leyenda (Rancho Embarcadero)

* 230 Vereda Leyenda (Rancho Embarcadero)

Isla Vista 93117
* 798 Camino del Sur, Children's Park, Isla Vista (Corner of Picasso and Camino del Sur)
* 889 Camino del Sur, at the St George Family Youth Center

* 6822 Phelps Rd (next to apartment building clubhouse)
* 6586 Picasso (at St Michael's, corner of Camino Pescadero and El Greco)
* 6575 Sevilla (IV Co-op)

Noleta (93111, 93110)

* 536 Calle Aparejo (Patterson area)

- 313 Arroyo Rd (approximately), Santa Barbara (Vieja Valley neighborhood)
* 5245 Califia (on Gwyne Rd)

* 911 Camino del Retiro (Tucker's Grove area)
- 1304 Camino Rio Verde, Santa Barbara (North Patterson)

* 4930 Cervato Way (Turnpike area)
* 740 Cieniguitas Rd (on apartment grounds)

* 5545 Longfellow Rd (Mountain View area)

* 400 Puente Dr (Hope Ranch Annex)

Via Diego at Invierno (Hope area)

1066 Via Los Padres (N San Marcos area)

Santa Barbara 93105
- 3308 Calle Fresno, Santa Barbara (San Roque area)
- 687 Grove Lane, Santa Barbara (Monte Vista area)
- 3655 Montalvo Way, Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley area)
* 2928 Paseo del Refugio
* 302 Santa Anita

Santa Barbara 93103, 93108
* 624 Chelham Way
* 115 La Vista Grande

Santa Barbara, 93101
- 1096 W Pedregosa St (approximately), Santa Barbara (Westside)
* 517 Laguna St
* Hoarny Toad Activewear E Mason
- 521 Santa Barbara St

* From the Little Free Library List
- Community Sourced List