Quick Summary:

  • Located 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is a popular coastal town nestled between the ocean and the scenic Santa Ynez Mountains.
  • There are several interesting and educational museums that your children will enjoy, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Santa Barbara Museum of Art ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Food & Drink
Santa Barbara Museum of Art | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© bluraz/stock.adobe.com

2. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Food & Drink
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

3. MOXI

MOXI | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© MOXI

4. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Category: Attractions
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

5. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Category: Activities
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Georg Lehnerer/stock.adobe.com

6. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Category: Food & Drink
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

7. Santa Barbara Trolley Company

Category: Food & Drink
Santa Barbara Trolley Company | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Santa Barbara Trolley Company

8. Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and Library

Category: Kids & Family
Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and Library | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and Library

9. Old Mission Santa Barbara

Category: Food & Drink
Old Mission Santa Barbara | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Michael Flippo/stock.adobe.com

10. Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© haveseen/stock.adobe.com

11. Neal Taylor Nature Center

Category: Activities
Neal Taylor Nature Center | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Filip Pestrikov/stock.adobe.com

12. Cat Therapy

Cat Therapy | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© ulianna19970/stock.adobe.com

13. Santa Barbara Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
Santa Barbara Zoo | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Georg Lehnerer/stock.adobe.com

14. The Carriage and Western Art Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
The Carriage and Western Art Museum | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© joserpizarro/stock.adobe.com

15. McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream

Category: Kids & Family
McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream

16. Convivo Restaurant

Category: Food & Drink
Convivo Restaurant | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Convivo Restaurant

17. Spudnuts Donuts

Spudnuts Donuts | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Spudnuts Donuts

18. Crushcakes and Cafe

Category: Food & Drink
Crushcakes and Cafe | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Crushcakes and Café

19. Lil’ Toot Water Taxi

Lil’ Toot Water Taxi | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Lil’ Toot Water Taxi

20. Santa Barbara Public Market

Category: Shopping
Santa Barbara Public Market | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Santa Barbara Public Market

21. Paddle Sport Center

Tours
Paddle Sport Center | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© Petr Bonek/stock.adobe.com

22. Alameda Park

Category: Activities
Alameda Park | Things to Do in Santa Barbara with Kids
© savelov/stock.adobe.com

Summary & FAQ Santa Barbara Museum of Art Santa Barbara Maritime Museum MOXI Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Santa Barbara Trolley Company Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and Library Old Mission Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf Neal Taylor Nature Center Cat Therapy Santa Barbara Zoo The Carriage and Western Art Museum McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream Convivo Restaurant Spudnuts Donuts Crushcakes and Cafe Lil’ Toot Water Taxi Santa Barbara Public Market Paddle Sport Center Alameda Park

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.