Santa Barbara Travel Guide — Family-Friendly Eats, Activities, and Where to Stay

A few weekends ago my family and I spent three nights in sunny Santa Barbara, California. This guide summarizes our favorite places to eat, the best family-friendly activities we tried, and where we stayed. With a small airport, easy car rentals, beautiful beaches, and a charming downtown, Santa Barbara is an ideal destination for families traveling with young children.

We traveled with two little ones (ages 4 and 2) and managed to see and do a lot in four days. Below are the highlights from our trip—restaurants we loved, activities that kept the kids entertained, and our hotel recommendation.

Top Places to Eat

Mony’s Taqueria — Authentic, flavorful tacos with a great variety of salsas. We enjoyed it so much we went twice and grabbed an order to go before our flight.

Santa Barbara Public Market — A European-style market packed with excellent food vendors, a wine shop, a beer garden, and dessert options. Highlights for us included fish tacos from Corazon, dumplings from The Empty Bowl, a poke bowl from Big Eye Raw Bar, and craft beer at The Garden. The kids loved organic, gluten-free ice cream from Rori’s.

Handlebar Coffee Shop — A perfect stop for a strong coffee and a sweet morning pastry. We picked up an almond milk latte and a fresh chocolate croissant, which were both excellent before a park visit.

Helena Avenue Bakery — A newer spot that was a pleasant discovery. We arrived early after an early wake-up and enjoyed outstanding bagel sandwiches and great coffee.

Finch and Fork — Recommended to us for lunch, it offered reliable, tasty options—my husband had a terrific burger and I enjoyed a seared tuna salad. Conveniently located near downtown attractions.

The Lucky Penny — In the Funk Zone, this pizza and coffee shop has delicious pizza and a relaxed atmosphere great for families.

Loquita — A Spanish-style tapas restaurant in the Funk Zone. Outstanding food, friendly service, and a lovely patio that worked well for a kid-friendly dinner. The wine selection was memorable.

Boathouse — Located on Hendry’s Beach, the views at sunset are spectacular. The food was good and the beachfront setting makes it ideal for families who want a scenic dinner while kids play nearby.

Sambo’s — A classic diner-style breakfast right next to our hotel and along the beach. It’s kid-friendly and opens early, which is handy for families.

Scarlett Begonia — A popular brunch spot with great vibes, perfect for a leisurely Sunday brunch with cocktails like mimosas or bloody marys.

McConnell’s Ice Cream — A Santa Barbara institution for more than 70 years. A must-stop for dessert—our kids loved it.

Things to Do

Stearn’s Wharf — A stroll down the wharf offers picturesque ocean views, sailing boats, and tourist shops. We visited the wharf daily and the kids loved exploring it.

Santa Barbara Sea Center — Located on Stearn’s Wharf, this small aquarium is perfect for young children. Our daughter loved touching the sharks and starfish; we visited twice because she enjoyed it so much.

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation — A hands-on science and innovation museum that was one of our favorite kid activities. Interactive exhibits let children build and test creations; it’s a very engaging space for curious kids and adults alike.

The Funk Zone — This arts and industrial district has great restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and independent shops. Staying nearby made it easy to stroll to several dinner spots and wine-tasting rooms.

Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden — A tranquil garden perfect for feeding ducks and wandering on shaded paths. Our kids loved feeding the ducks so much we returned multiple times.

Santa Barbara Historical County Courthouse — A beautiful Spanish-colonial building from 1929 with red tile roofs and manicured gardens. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic or a scenic walk.

Santa Barbara Wine Collective — A family-friendly tasting room where you can sample a variety of local wines without leaving the kids unattended for long.

The Beaches — Santa Barbara’s beaches are central to its appeal. Sand, waves, and beachfront walks offer simple, relaxing family time. Our hotel was across from the beach, so we spent many hours letting the kids play and enjoying the ocean views.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Hotel Milo, a beachfront hotel conveniently located near Stearn’s Wharf, the Funk Zone, MOXI, and the Sea Center. The central location made it easy to get around, and the hotel’s pools and friendly service were a great fit for our family. I recommend Hotel Milo for families who want easy access to beaches and downtown attractions.

We received many wonderful recommendations on Instagram before and during our trip—thank you to everyone who sent ideas. We look forward to returning and discovering more of Santa Barbara’s restaurants, parks, and family-friendly activities. If you have favorite spots, please share them so others can enjoy this beautiful coastal city.

Thank you Visit Santa Barbara for hosting our family during a memorable stay. We can’t wait to come back!