Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SANTA BARBARA FOR CHILDREN
Santa Barbara abounds with family-friendly fun for kids of all ages, from tots to tweens.
Wharf; adult/child 2-12yr/youth 13-17yr $10/7/8; 10am-5pm; ) From touch tanks full of
tide-pool critters and crawl-through aquariums to whale sing-alongs, it's interactive and
educational. Hourly parking on the wharf costs $2.50.
www.sbnature.org
; 2559 Puesta del Sol; adult/child 2-12yr/youth 13-17yr $11/7/8, incl planetarium
show $15/11/12; 10am-5pm; ) Giant skeletons, an insect wall and a pitch-dark plan-
etarium captivate kids' imaginations. It's a half-mile drive uphill from the mission.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Peer through a periscope, reel in a virtual fish, watch
underwater films or check out the model ships.
Santa Barbara Sailing Center
Short, one-hour sails around the harbor ($15) let young
'uns see sea lions up close.
888-316-9363;
www.sbwatertaxi.com
; 113 Harbor Way; one-
way fare adult/child 2-12yr $4/1;
usually noon-6pm Apr-Oct, hr vary Nov-Mar;
) Take a joyride
along the waterfront on this tiny yellow boat.
cash only) plus a shipwreck-themed playground decked out with seashells and a mini-
ature lighthouse.
Dr at Las Positas Rd;
8am-sunset;
) A wide, sandy beach, away from the tourists but
not too far from downtown.
Sleeping
Prepare for sticker shock: basic motel rooms by the beach command over $200 in summer.
Don't show up at the last minute without reservations and expect to find any reasonably
priced rooms, especially not on weekends. Cheaper motels cluster along upper State St and
Hwy 101 northbound to Goleta and southbound to Carpinteria, Ventura and Camarillo.
Santa Barbara Auto Camp
CAMPGROUND
888-405-7553;
http://autocamp.com/sb
;
2717 De La Vina St; d $175-215;
)
