Climbing Parks

Dwight Murphy Climbing Area

I met a mom recently whose big kid wants to climb. So for Melissa, here is a list of Santa Barbara climbing parks. Some of these have one climbing feature (like Tucker's Grove has a climbing tower separate from the playground, look across the field), some have more (like Shipwreck Playground) and most parks have some climbing features (like the rock wall at Goleta Beach Park).

Chase Palm Park (Shipwreck Playground)
Alameda Park (Kid's World)
Ortega Park
Oak Park
Bohnett Park
Steven's Park
Rocky Nook Park
Tucker's Grove
 Dwight Murphy Fields
Wallis Park

Did I miss any? Share your favorites in the comments!

Spring 2018 Snapshot

* This was my April 2018 post which got derailed by a child.... and bubbles.... and my laptop. Big oops. ( I do try to post at least once a month during the school year and this is my first miss since May 2016!)

Life Hack: Getting Gas
I have chosen a time in my week that is not rushed where I am out and about with my kids, I always get gas at this time every week.  For me it is Sunday morning--the gas station is not busy. This sounds simple, but it means I am almost never rushing to the gas station in a panic and making me late to something else.

New Product I Love: Trader Joe's Facial Wash
I was looking for a mild face wash and this one is awesome. It has tea tree oil which smells amazing and most of the ingredients are natural things I can actually pronounce.

Last Book Finished: Little Paris Bookshop
This was a charming 3.5 star book for me. Jean Perdu runs a unique book shop where has prescribes books like medicine for the people who visit his boat on the Seine shop. His success hides the secret that he is hiding from his life and emotions. When a new friend forces him to read an old letter. He sets off on a journey to find answers from long ago. His journey gathers new friends and healing from old wounds.

Life Project: Decluttering
We have a move coming up. I started the year doing the 30 day #declutterlikeamother challenge with Allie Casazza. It turned into 90 days with 15 trips to the thrift store and 36 grocery bags donated (I didn't even attempt to keep track of trash.) It has been amazing. I don't talk to my stuff like Marie Kondo, but it has clarified what I need and what I don't and will for sure make it easier to move in a couple months.

Related Links:

Fall 2020 Snapshot

Summer 2020 Snapshot

Spring 2020 Snapshot

Winter 2020 Snapshot

Fall 2019 Snapshot

Summer 2019 Snapshot

Winter 2019 Snapshot

Fall 2018 Snapshot

Spring 2018 Snapshot

40 Year Bucket List

Easter Events

Easter brings many fun activities in the Santa Barbara and Goleta area! Here is a list of what I could find for you: egg hunts, Easter train, outdoor services and all!

Egg Hunts
Cambridge Drive Community Church, 550 Cambridge Dr, Goleta (10 am the day before Easter)
Elings Park (10 am the day before Easter)
Girsh Park (10am the day before Easter)
La Cumbre Plaza (10am March 31, 2018) 
La Mesa Park (9am the day before Easter)

Other Events
Goleta Bunny Express, South Coast Railway Depot (11-4 the day before Easter)
Hoppy Hour Hunt, Paseo Nuevo (Friday March 30, 4-6)
Easter Bunny Visit, The Stationary Collection, 1470 E Valley Rd. Montecito (12-1 March 31, 2018)
Tenebrae Service, Multichurch Service at Living Faith Church 4597 Hollister Ave (7pm Friday before Easter)

Outdoor Church Services
Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens (Easter morning 9 am)
Reality Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara High School, 700 E Anapamu (indoors, but has Easter activities, Easter morning 9 and 11)
Santa Barbara Community Church, Santa Barbara City College (Easter morning, 9:30 am)

Please message or comment other activities you find!

Kid's World Updated

Kid's World at Alameda Park got a facelift! It still had the castle play structure with bridges, slides, tunnels and climbing areas. They kept the over all feel of the orginal park but replaced wood and repainted where needed. They also added gates to get in and out as well as making the slats in the wood fencing closer together (no escaping kids--yay!). They also replaced wood chips and added rubber mats under walking areas and swings (tire, toddler and regular).

Directions: Take 101 to Mission and turn towards the mountains. Turn right onto Anacapa St, then a left onto Micheltorena St. Find Parking on the street.

Pros
The structure is huge and has a great variety of equiptment.
There are areas for the little kids and older kids.
There are bathrooms nearby.

Cons
You will lose signt of your kids. It is inevitable.
The younger kids will want to go in the big kid area and the structure is a large place to follow a kid.
Street parking can be hard to find.

Ampitheater

Balancing Beams

Swings

Castle

Slides

Climbing Area

Gates

Tunnels

Little Kid Area

Passageways

Ship 

Whale

Castle

Bridges

Note: If you like to feed ducks and turtles, head across the street to Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens.

Elings Park Sierra Club Paths

Elings Park is a large park with playing fields, bike area, 2 playgrounds and walking trails. There are a series of paths starting across from the upper fields. It can also be accessed  from nearby neighborhoods.

Directions: Take the 101N from downtown and exit Las Positas Rd.Turn left and follow Las Positas for 1 mile. Turn left onto Jerry Harwin parkway. Pass the first parking lot ans park in the next area. The trail head is across from the soccer (not baseball) fields.

Trail Rating: Moderate for kids
Distance: 3 miles (but there are many trails and you could go more or less)
Time: 80 minutes with time to explore
Nearby attractions: Arroyo Burro Beach, Douglas Preserve, Elings Park Playground and Upper Playground, Elings Park Verterans Memorial Walk

Entrance

Path Beginning

Mountain View

Ocean View

Sunset

Path in Winter

Oak Park Buellton

Oak Park in Buellton is a fun little park. It is smaller than Riverview Park, but it has a 3 story play structure with so many parts. There is a 2-5 play structure with 2 simple slides and a climbing area as well as a 5-12 play structure with 4 slides (including a twisty 3 story one), 3 tunnels and climbing areas over wood chips. There is also a toddler and accessible swing.

Directions: From Goleta, take 101N to the 246. After turning left onto the 246, continue just over a mile and turn right onto Sycamore Dr. The park is on the left.

Pros:
There are a fun variety of things on the play structures.
Parking is close and easy.
Bathrooms are closeby.

Cons:
It is right next to a road (a quiet one, but not great for those little runners).
Those willing to make a drive might be drawn to Riverview Park or Sunnyfields. The structures are smaller

Swings

2-5 Play Structure

2-5 Play Structure (Back)

5-12 Play Structure

5-12 Play Structure (Front) 

5-12 Play Structure (Side) 

Bathrooms

Indoor Play Areas

Rockin Kids now Kidaru

Santa Barbara and Goleta have so many great outdoor play areas. We are so blessed! But once in a while, we have to play indoors because of the rain (or smoke from a fire). There aren't a lot of options, but here are a few ideas: (Updated 12/2018)

Goleta Library
Ice in Paradise
MOXI
Kidaru
Santa Barbara Central Library 
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Santa Barbara Sea Center
Zodos