When school’s out for a week, there’s no better time to take a quick trip and explore a new place! Not only is Spring break the perfect opportunity for some family bonding, it’s a great excuse to hit the road and discover new adventures.
This year, we opted for Southern California – Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to be exact. Steven had a few work obligations in the area, so we did what any smart family would do… we tagged along!
Because we needed a central location so that Steven wouldn’t be on the road all day, we settled on the cutest Airbnb in Camarillo. While there’s not a ton to see or do in this town of 68,000, it was only a short distance from the beach (20 minutes max) and an hour from Santa Barbara. As for the Airbnb, it offered a great setup for a family of four – a lounge area with a pull-out bed for the kids, and a bedroom with a comfy queen bed for us parents. The hosts also provided a great Ventura County hiking guide that I devoured upon arrival, which ultimately influenced our trail adventures for the trip.
Speaking of adventures, let’s get down to our recommendations. We really wanted to experience the area without spending a ton of money. Here are our top six kid-friendly activities in SoCal that won’t break the bank!
1. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
We really wanted to spend our trip seeking out the superbloom, but after quite a bit of research we found that most of these areas were impacted with a ton of foot traffic. And when you’ve got two kids under 6, the last thing any parent wants to do is fight the crowds! Instead, we opted for an activity that would provide beautiful views AND help a good cause – and that’s how we found the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Dedicated to research, education and preservation of California native plants, this 78-acre garden boasts over 1,000 rare and indigenous plant species, as well as over five miles of trails. This place is perfect for kids! There are lots of easy walking paths, a child-sized maze created with native coyote brush, an authentic Japanese teahouse and plenty of beautiful flowers peppering the entire property.
Price: $14.00 Adults, $8.00 Children 3 – 17, and retired military with ID, Children ages 2 & under are free; Free Parking
Hours: 9am to 6pm ~ March – October; 9am to 5pm ~ November – February
2. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
When you’re on the coast, it’s a must that you check out the marine life! Located at Sterns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center offers a hands-on experience with sharks, sting rays, starfish and sea urchins. Using a gentle two-finger touch, the kids can dip their hands into the water to interact with the marine animals – which my kids thought was SO COOL.
There’s also a wet deck, where you can try different oceangraphic tools to lower down into the ocean to sample and examine what comes back up.
I’ll be honest with you… there are only two foreseeable downsides to this place. First, it’s pretty small. You could get in and out in less than 30 minutes. Take your time and don’t rush your kids! Especially with the interactive areas. Secondly, if your kids are anything like mine, we always spend a few minutes trying to dissuade them from the gift shop with all of the shiny things. Most of these knick-knacks are just that – worthless and overpriced. If you can get over those two things, it’s a fun and engaging experience for the littles!
Price: $9 for Adults (18-64 years), $8 for Seniors & Teens (13-17), $7 for Kids (2-12) & Kids under 2 are free; Free parking
Hours: 10am-5pm
3. Point Mugu State Park – Scenic/Overlook Trail
Out of all of the experiences on this list, this was by far my favorite. Given that it was just the boys and I, I wanted to do something that was easy to access, got us outdoors and provided some good views of the coastline. In some of my pre-trip research, Point Mugu State Park kept popping up for its scenic hiking trails. And since it was only 20 minutes away from our place in Camarillo, I figured – I can do this!
After careful prep to ensure we had plenty of water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen and a change of clothes, we packed up the van and headed out. In reaching our destination 10 minutes before the park opened, I quickly realized that I forgot the most important items: our snacks! ? Luckily, Steven *just* added the built-in fridge to the van, and I pulled out some frozen PB&J sandwiches for the boys (best #parentinghack btw). Once that was settled, we discovered that the day parking was closed for renovation and we had to park at the beachside parking. Normally not a biggie, but it meant crossing Hwy 1, with both directions coming off of a turn. Yikes! (Turns out crossing a highway is a lot like waiting for the right time to jump into double dutch. ?) We made it safely and headed out to the trailhead… at which point we saw miles and miles of beautiful Santa Monica mountains filled with the most beautiful yellow wildflowers.
This 2.7-mile hike climbs 425 feet to breathtaking vistas atop a ridge west of Big Sycamore Canyon. To get there, you’ll walk through the Sycamore Canyon Campground – which looks like an awesome place to stay – and get on the dirt service road. Not too far in, you’ll see the trailhead for the Scenic Trail. This time of year, the area is super green and filled with beautiful yellow wildflowers everywhere. I kept pausing along the trail to take it all in.
Once you make it to the bluff (about 2/3 of a mile from the start), you’ll see a sign with an arrow pointing towards the Overlook Trail. The view from this bluff is fantastic – and we almost stopped here. In fact, Levi was tired of the last climbing stretch and said he was done. ? (While it the climb is pretty moderate, keep in mind that for little legs it can be tiresome. We took a lot of little water breaks – and pics – so the kids could get some rest.) But trust me when I say KEEP GOING! It’s worth the ½-mile climb for a full panorama of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific Crest Highway and the ocean view. This last portion is steep for kids and pretty sandy, so if your kiddos have hiking shoes, wear those. (We love the Targhee Low and Chandler CNX shoes from Keen.) After Harvey and I made it to the stop and were raving loudly about the views, Levi bolstered the energy to sprint up the mountain to check it out with us. As a mama, reaching the payoff – the most scenic view of your hike – with your kiddos is simply priceless!
After taking it all in, simply turn around and head back down the way you came. Some of the canyon views are even better on the way back!
A few things to keep in mind: take water! Throughout various parts of the trail you’re doing some climbing, and my kids couldn’t get enough water. Additionally, the entire trail is exposed. Fortunately we were there on a perfect foggy and overcast morning, but I can imagine that it would be pretty brutal if you’re in full sun. Be on the lookout for poison oak and rattlesnakes. We were lucky to not see either of those, but we were on high alert!
Price: Trails are free, but parking fees are as follows… All day – $12.00 per car, per day; 3 hrs – $9.00 per car; 2 hrs – $6.00 per car
Hours: 8am to Sunset
4. Pierpont Beach at Seward Avenue
After a nice morning hike at Point Mugu, we headed north to Ventura to check out the beach scene, landing at San Buenaventura State Beach. It takes up about two miles of the waterfront in Ventura, stretching from Marina Park near the Ventura Harbor, all the way north to the Ventura City Pier. Technically speaking, we hit up Pierpont Beach at Seaward Avenue, which is about a half-mile south of the state beach. There was quite a bit of accessible parking this time of year, and you can find several restaurants (including a fro-yo shop!) just a short walk from the beach.
Side note: If you’re a sushi fan, I highly recommend the Pierpont roll at The Sushi House. Delish! While I’m not counting this in the price below, the food for the boys and I came out to just shy of $25. To top it off, Levi asked for any coloring materials and our server brought out the coolest coloring sheets and crayons. Score!
Another perk? Seaward doesn’t get as many tourists as beaches near downtown Ventura, which is great when you’re trying to let your kids roam AND keep an eye on them from your beach blanket. ?
Price: Beach access is free, and so is parking!
Hours: 9am to 6pm ~ March – October; 9am to 5pm ~ November – February
5. Marina Park
To whomever invented pirate ship playgrounds, THANK YOU! ⚓️ Countless hours of fun, especially for my mateys. Marina Park is one of the nicest places we visited on this trip. So nice in fact, that we came here two days in a row! This picturesque park is surrounded by the Pierpont Bay beach, lush green hills and adorable little beach houses. Plus, there’s a big ship – the San Salvador — on the beach for kids to play in. The boys played tirelessly for hours, allowing this mama to open the back of the van, chill on our bed and dive into a good book. Additionally, the entire area is super clean (including the public restrooms).
If you’re feeling more adventurous, the marina also has sailing lessons. It’s also a good spot to launch a kayak or paddleboard, or drop a fishing line.
Price: Free
Hours: 7am-7pm
6. Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve & Seal Sanctuary Overlook
The kids and I had such a great time at Point Mugu State Park, I knew that I wanted to get out and explore more of the scenic trails that this area had to offer. And knowing that my kiddos are huge animal lovers, it seemed like a natural fit!
The Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve is home to one of the most scenic open spaces and natural assets remaining along Santa Barbara County’s urban south coast. The trail offers panoramic views of the Santa Barbara Channel, the Carpinteria Valley and the 3,500-foot peaks of Santa Ynez Mountains. Or if you catch it on an early morning like we did, a quintessential foggy coastal view.
The trail to the Seal Sanctuary Overlook is only one mile round trip – perfect for little ones! It starts at a large dirt parking lot, at the south end of Bailard Avenue in Carpinteria (right next to the 101 Freeway). There are lots of side trails that ultimately intertwine, but the most direct route is to start at the center trail that leads you to the beach (you’ll see a trailhead plaque dedicated by the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs to help orient you). Once you reach the end, you’ll make a right and head down the walking path that parallels the train tracks. On the route, take a moment to pause and breathe in the eucalyptus trees! About 0.2 miles in, you’ll veer left and cross the railroad tracks. It goes without saying, but be careful!
Once you’ve crossed the tracks, you can take a left and head down the bluff for some beautiful views. Stay off of the beach though during the winter and spring though – this is the birthing area for the harbor seals, so you won’t want to disturb their habitat.
After heading back up, stay along the wide dirt trail where shortly you’ll come across the Seal Sanctuary Overlook. About 75 feet below the bluff, you’ll catch the harbor seals. During our visit, there were about 148 seals chilling on the beach! Some recommend binoculars if you want to get a closer view, but you’ve got a clear line of sight without any. The boys thought this was so cool! When you’re done admiring the seals from afar, simply head back in the direction you came. You can also extend this hike for another 0.25-2 miles depending on your direction if you’re feeling more adventurous. For us, the mile loop was perfect for our boys (3 and 6).
Price: Free
Hours: I couldn’t find anything online noting hours, but I’d assume you’re probably good from sunrise to sunset.
In Summary
While there is a ton to do and see in Southern California that can break the bank, we found that it’s possible to get out there and explore on the cheap. Got your own Ventura and Santa Barbara tips for kid-friendly activities? Leave them in the comments!
