Santa Barbara Articles

A perfect family vacation in Santa Barbara with tweens is as much about finding fun things to do as it is about sitting around and hanging out with your kids. Vacations always include the regular tourist spots (the mission, the Natural History Museum, the majestic courthouse, the harbor and the wharf); but why not spend a day with your tweens like a Santa Barbara local? You can have plenty of time to hang out while seeing the town.

With the Sierra Madre Mountains on one side and the crashing Pacific Ocean on the other, the city of Santa Barbara is a place of extremes. Folks who live in this small piece of paradise tend to live life to the full rather than watch others have all the adventures. If you're looking to join in the fun, pick an adventure activity in Santa Barbara from the list below.

Ah! Santa Barbara. The city and surrounding area are rich in art, culture, nature and celebrities. Oprah Winfrey and John Travolta call the area home. There are million-dollar mansions, lovely beaches, wacky festivals, great shops on State Street and plenty of perfect photo opportunities in Santa Barbara.

You know how it is when you arrive in an unknown city; you spend most of your time searching for a scene, then you stumble into a buzzing up-and-coming neighborhood just before you leave. It's hard keeping track of the newest and the coolest hot spots, as urban centers continue to renew themselves -- try locating where young chefs and artists are setting up shop for the affordable rents or where industrial wastelands have given rise to funky garden projects and innovative architecture.

Anyone visiting Santa Barbara with kids will find that this Californian city is a veritable playground for children of all ages, with heaps of things to do. Santa Barbara's weather is perfect for family vacations throughout the year, with sunny summers (bring sunscreen!) and winters that are a little more chilly and rainy. There's nothing you can't do with your kids on a family vacation, however, with the help of an umbrella and a few layers of clothing. Here are some kids' vacation ideas for Santa Barbara.