Monday, October 4, 2021

Summer 2021 Snapshot


My seasonal check in is a bit late this year because life has been full (see life project below)!

Life Hack: I realized recently that multitasking is not helping me. So when I think of it I close all the tabs on my phone/computer to reset to just the things I need. I have also been creating blocks of time to work on different aspects of my life and then doing a brain dump when I start working on school/work/PTA stuff for the day (I keep track of school and work on Toggl). 

New Product I Love: I am not a pumpkin person and I don't love all the pumpkin options at this time of year, so no new favorite Trader Joe's products. I am however loving these tassel earrings and wooden earrings given to me for my birthday! 




Last Book I Finished: Raising Lions by Joe Newman 
Joe was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Quickly put on medication, he felt like the world told him he was broken. As an adult, he has become a behavior therapist who come along schools to help them with the most difficult students. His no nonsense approach is designed to help these kids learn self control and boundaries so they can be successful in the school environment. I don't agree with everything he says, but I have implemented many of the strategies in my own home. 


Life Project: I started a Master's in Education through Western Governor's University. It is all online and fits well into my life right now. And I am working hard! You may not see me as much on the blog or on Facebook this year because of it. 



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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. 
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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 

Anacona Dr, Goleta

Brandon, Goleta

Caleta, Goleta

Camino Venturoso, Goleta 

Goleta Library

Hillview, Goleta

Hollister, Goleta

Marbury, Goleta

Paseo Palmilla, Goleta

Phelps Rd, Goleta

Stow Canyon Rd, Goleta

Windsor Ave, Goleta


Windsor Ave, Goleta

Vereda Leyenda 1

Vereda Leyenda 2

Camino del Sur, Isla Vista

Children's Park, Isla Vista 

Phelps Rd, Goleta


St Michaels

Seville Rd, Isla Vista

Calle Aparejo

Arroyo Rd, Santa Barbara

Califia Way, Santa Barbara

Camino de Retiro

Camino Rio Verde

Cervato Way

Cieniguitas Rd, Santa Barbara

Longfellow Rd, Santa Barbara

Puente

Via Diego

Via Los Padres





Seville Rd, Isla Vista






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Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Bike Paths


We are so blessed to have an abundance of bike paths and routes to explore our town. Depending on where you are starting, you may be able to bike with minimal time on shared spaces and just stick to the bike path.


By the beach, you can explore the downtown area on bike or simply stick to the waterfront along the Cabrillo Blvd Trail. From Goleta Beach, you can take the Obern Trail connecting to the Maria Ygnacio trail or to continue on it to Modoc Rd. Or you can explore your own neighborhood in routes provided by the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition. 

Renting Bikes in Santa Barbara: 
https://wheelfunrentals.com/ca/santa-barbara/mason/

Tourist Biking Sites: 
https://www.santabarbara.com/activities/biking/
https://ctycms.com/ca-santa-barbara/docs/bikesmap---downtown.pdf
https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/popular-bike-trails-in-santa-barbara/

South County Maps
Comprehensive: http://www.trafficsolutions.org/thenewsite/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TS-Map_Insert_SB-Goleta_13.pdf

Neighborhood Routes: 
https://www.sbbike.org/neighborhood_routes

Out Most Artistic Bike Ride July 2016

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Monday, August 9, 2021

SB Picnic Spots

 


Santa Barbara has so many beautiful spots. You could picnic in almost any park or beach location and have a great view. One tradition we have is having a picnic with the kids on our anniversary or anniversary of our first date. My kids love asking us questions about the first date/wedding/first kiss and since all those dates fall in the summer, it is a great time for a picnic. I also friend-sourced this one. 

1. The Mission Rose Garden is a classic choice. The view of the Mission and the Spanish architecture around is classic. 

Rose Garden with the Spanish Architecture on display

Rose Garden

2. The Courthouse is one of our favorite spots. Any spot in the block would be good, but we like the grass above the Sunken Gardens. 

Courthouse 

Sunken Gardens

3. Alice Keck Park is picturesque with the pond and the gazebo. It is easy to spread a blanket on the grass or find a bench to picnic on.  

Gazebo

Duck Pond

4. Stow House is another of our favorites. The house and lawn create a beautiful spot. When there is music in the summer it is especially fun to linger.

5. You absolutely can't beat the view of Franchesci Park on the Riviera. On a clear day, you can see all the way down to the water.  

Picnic tables

Franchesci View 

6. Chase Palm Park is another great spot with a grassy field for picnic blankets. With the beach across the street, the view is wonderful. 

Chase Palm Park Pond

 What is your favorite spot for a picnic? I would love to hear below or on social media! 

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