Summer 2018 Quest Update

This summer I wanted to try out easy day trip activities from Santa Barbara. We did a lot of fun things but didn't get though as many as I had hoped--moving will do that to you! I made a more complete list with more suggestions from friends and feel free to make more suggestions below. 

Also what should I do next summer? It is a ways away but I can plan it now. 😉

Easy Day Trips from Santa Barbara

Carpinteria
Tarpits Beach (tidepools)
Carpinteria Salt Marsh
Carpinteria Nature Preserve (Seal Viewing)
Tomol Park
Carpinteria State Beach
Canzelle Alpacas
Padaro Beach Grill (Summerland)

Beyond Carpinteria
Lake Casitas Water Park (Ojai)
Sky High/Sky Zone
Pump It Up
Golf N Stuff
Playplace Pacific View Mall (Ventura)
Splash Pad at the Collection (Oxnard)
Chuck E Cheese (Ventura or Santa Maria)
Marina Park (Ventura)
Kellogg Park (Ventura)
Ventura Aquatic Center

Santa Ynez Valley
Knapp's Castle (off 154)
Riverview Park (Buellton)
Sunnyfields Park (Solvang)
Ostrichland (Buellton)
Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch
Santa Barbara Blueberries (Buellton)
The Farmstead (Buellton)
Noquoi Falls (Buellton)
Solvang
La Purissima Mission
Seein Spots Farm

Beyond the Valley 
Lompoc Aquatic Center
Santa Maria Discovery Museum
Avila Farm
SLO Creek Farm
Chuck E Cheese (Ventura or Santa Maria)

Related posts: 2017 Summer of Hikes, 2016 Summer of the Beaches, 2015 Summer of the Parks,

Lake Casitas Water Park

Lake Casitas Water Park is a small water park best suited for the littles. It has a long lazy river (popular with my 8 year old and her friends), a lagoon pool with waterfall and a splash pad with fountains. There is also a play structure with many slides, bridges and sprayers with knobs to turn over a pool . The play structure is for kids under 48 inches and less than 100 pounds (this was not posted there but is posted online). We did see this enforced, but inconsistently. Note: we have not been to other water parks for comparison but hear that this one is smaller than Lompoc one and much smaller than the one in Paso Robles.

Cost: $13 and up (no child discount) They can sell out (especially on the weekend) and you can buy tickets online.
Hours: Summer only and varies by day 11am to 6-7pm.
Time: 2-4 hours
More information: https://www.casitaswater.org/water-adventure/
Directions: Take the 101S to the 150 (exit 84) at the end of Carpinteria. Take the 150 towards Ojai. Follow the 150 for 13 miles. Then turn right on Santa Ana Rd. The water park is on your right.  You can park along the road. Parking inside is part of the day use area and costs $10-$20.

Related posts: Summer of the Easy Day Trips

Lazy River

Splash Pad

Lagoon with Waterfall

Play Structure (Front)

Play Structure (Back)

Play Structure (Side)

Local Mama Bloggers

I have found some other mama bloggers in the past few months and wanted to share here the great resources!

Central Coast Mama features moms, local events (especially health related) and is a life style site for the central coast. The area covered is larger than this blog, but is so beautifully photographed! I love the local mamas feature and found this through a friend!

Elizabeth Lucht is a local mama and photographer. I found her blog because of her post on family friendly restaurants in the Santa Barbara area. (She is also a beauty Counter rep so there are lots of  beauty related posts too.)

Family Fun on the Central Coast started recently and hopes to cover areas up and down the coast and I loved this list of Family Fun Attractions.

Please share local mama sites you use below!

Padaro Beach Grill

Padraro Beach Grill is a fun restaurant where kids can be kids. It worth the drive to Summerland (unless it is Friday afternoon!) for its open play place for the little ones and relaxed environment. There is a sand pit with toys , a large grassy area and several small trees my kids love to climb/hide in. The train passes by and you can watch it up close without the fear of kids running into the tracks.

Cost: $10 and up for mains
Time: 1 1/2-2 hours
Hours: Vary by season 10:30 or 11-7:30-8:30
Nearby Attractions: Padaro Beach 
More Information: Restaurant website 
Directions: Take 101S to Santa Claus Lane. Continue straight onto Santa Claus Lane and the restaurant is on the right.

Related Posts: Summer of the Easy Day Trips 2018

Chuck E Cheese

Both Ventura and Santa Maria have Chuck E Cheese locations. If you have never been, it is like an arcade plus pizza plus animatron shows.

The food is ok and if you lived locally, it would be a great birthday party spot. You can also just eat or take in the arcade. The play passed can be purchased as minutes or points (each ride being 1-3 points) and begin at $10 (you can split these between multiple cards). For us, the points made more sense. We played about 45 minutes and only used 30 points.

If you are visiting the Ventura location and don't love the Chuck E Cheese food. Visit the Chick-Fil-A next door. It has a play ground!

Cost: $10 and up
Hours: 10am-9pm (Ventura)
Time: 1 hour
Drive Time: 45 minutes from Goleta
Nearby: Chick-Fil-A and Target
Directions: Take 101S to Telephone Rd (Exit 65) just past the exit for the 126. Turn left onto E Main St, then right onto Telephone. Turn left into the shopping center at the first opportunity, then left again toward Chuck E Cheese.

Passes for games

Arcade area

More games and a slide

Chick-Fil-A Playground

Chick-Fil-A next door

Ostrichland

Ostrichland is an interesting stop in the Santa Ynez Valley. The farm has both ostriches and emus on its many acres . You can just view them or buy food for an extra dollar to feed the birds. The birds are huge and prehistoric looking. Watch your fingers as you feed or you might get more than you bargained for!

Cost; Adults $5, Children (under 13) $2, bowls of feed $1
Time: 45 minutes
Hours: 9 am to Dusk
Nearby attractions: Nojoqui Falls, Riverview Park, and Santa Barbara Blueberries
More information: https://www.ostrichlandusa.com/

Related Posts: Summer of the Easy Day Trips 2018 

Ostrich

Emu

Kid Friendly Fiesta Events

Not my Photo :)

Old Spanish Days "Fiesta" is a Santa Barbara tradition that has continued for almost 90 years. Many Santa Barbara locals love it (and many leave town to avoid the tourists!). It is so fun for kids and a favorite memory for the year!) Here is a list of my favorite Fiesta events for kids. (the full calendar)

1. The Children's Parade (free) takes place the Saturday of Fiesta at 10am along State St (from Victoria to Ortega). Set up towards the beginning of the route for faster viewing and less wait time.

2. El Mercado del Norte is a fiesta carnival for the kids and is located at Mackenzie Park (Las Positas and State St). It runs 11am-11pm Wednesday-Saturday fiesta week. It is cheapest to go on Wednesday ($25 wristbands) and more expensive the other days ($30 wristbands)

3. Historical Fiesta Parade (free)  takes place the Friday of Fiesta at noon along Cabrillo St. (by West Beach) to State St. and then up State St to Sola St. This parade has horses! Set up towards the beginning of the route for faster viewing and less wait time. (Note: chairs cannot be set up ahead of time along Cabrillo St.)

4. The Tardes de Ronda (free) takes place the Saturday of Fiesta from 1-5 on the Sunken Gardens SB Courthouse lawn. All performers are under 16!

5. Flor y Canto (free) takes place the Friday of Fiesta at 7pm on the Sunken Gardens SB Courthouse lawn. There is song and dance with story telling from the past. It goes later than I like for my kids but gives a more historical perspective.

6. West Coast Symphony Concert (free) takes place Sunday at 3:30 on the Sunken Gardens SB Courthouse lawn.

 La Cumbre Plaza has events all week, but they vary by year and can be found here.