Introducing Santa Barbara Fun, an activities guide of things to do in and around Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Beach
Santa Barbara County Swing

Whether you have an hour or a week, whether you're a longtime local or a visitor, Santa Barbara Fun for Ages 1 to 100 will quickly and easily guide you to activities, adventure, education, volunteering, and life-time memories. Get away from the computer and TV and share the outdoors with another "child at heart"! You'll refer to this guide again and again for overlooked and hidden destinations, fantastic events, magical places and the "nearest faraway place." Escape to the classroom without walls and let the moment unfold! Simply follow the explicit driving directions for new ideas and ways to look at our special community.

Check out the featured online sample activities. Also check out this month's festivals and events on this Web site. Join your family/loved one and GO! No matter what your taste, you're certain to find world-class fun, right here, under your nose. The only trips you regret are the ones you DON'T take!

Note: There is a second cover with a carousel for books marketed at schools but don't worry, both books contain the exact same wealth of information!

Find out more about Santa Barbara Fun.
Santa Barbara Solstice Parade

Upcoming Activities


July 2009 Calendar of Events



Fourth of July Parade, Free
1 p.m., July 4    State Street
Micheltorena to Cota streets

S.B. Sparkle Food & Craft Fair
Cabrillo Boulevard in front
of West Beach
Noon-9 p.m. July 4

S.B. Sparkle Fireworks, FREE
7 p.m. Freedom Celebration
9 p.m. July 4, West Beach

Old Fashioned Fourth of July
11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Stow House
304 N. Los Carneros, Goleta
Live entertainment, games,
rides, food
Adults $6.00/Children free
(805) 964-4407

Goleta Fireworks Show, 9 pm
Adults $6/Children $4 July 4
Sponsored by Rotary of Goleta
www.goletafireworks.org
Free jumpers, face painters,
entertainment, games,
live music, 4 p.m. - 9 pm 7/4
Girsh Park 7050 Phelps Road

Pancake Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.
July 4 @ Montecito Fire Dept.
595 San Ysidro Road
(805) 969-7762

Village Fourth of July Parade
11:30 a.m.
Upper Manning Park to Lower
Food, activities, entertainment
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Upper Manning Park

Family Fun Fair
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. July 4
Elks Lodge 150 N. Kellogg Ave
Entertainment, live music,
games, food
(805) 964-6858

Santa Barbara Pirate Exhibit
and SB Maritime Museum's
Summer Celebration
10 a.m. - 6 p.m., July 25
Hipolito Bouchard's uniform,
bust, maps, painting, vessel
model. Activities for children.
HD films. Juried maritime art
competition. $2.00 admission
Annie Heigh 962-8404x100 or
www.sbmm.org

Concerts in the Park
6 p.m., Every Thursday in July
Chase Palm Park
Cabrillo Boulevard

Music at the Ranch Concerts
Goleta Valley Historical Society
5:30 p.m.-7:30 pm. Tuesdays
Through August 18th
BYO Picnic Dinner/Area Bands
Rancho La Patera & Stow Hse.
304 N. Los Carneros Road
Tickets: Free. (805) 681-7218
or dacia@goletahistory.org

Cachuma Lake Fireside Nights
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Through August 29, Free!
Park Naturalist Presentation
(805) 688-4515
www.cachuma.com

Seaside Saturdays
10:30-Noon 6/20, 7/4, 7/18,
8/1, 8/15
Parent-Child workshops,
Crafts, games, stories
S.B. Maritime Museum
(805) 962-8404 Ext. 100
www.sbmm.org

Zoovies: Movies at the Zoo
7 p.m. gates open; 8:15 show
Wednesdays in July. $6/$4
(805) 962-5339
www.santabarbarazoo.org

Butterflies Alive!
10-5, Every day until 9/21/09
Museum of Natural History
Walk amongst more than
1,000 butterflies!
www.sbnature.org

Sierra Club Flashlight Hike
+-3 miles, 6 p.m. Fridays
Santa Barbara Mission
2201 Laguna Street
Free, 685-2145

Arroyo Hondo Preserve Tour
First Saturday, third Sunday
Hike Tour, 10-Noon, open til 4
Reservations required:
arroyohondo@sblandtrust.org
(805) 567-1115
 
Camino Real Bike Moves (all ages)
Bicycle downtown at night!
First Tuesday of the month
9:30 p.m. De La Guerra Plaza
(805) 455-8957

Free Rides Wed. & 1st Friday!
South Coast Railroad Museum
1-4 p.m. Wed. through Sun.
300 N. Los Carneros
964-3540

Art Workshops
Art From Scrap
10 a.m. Saturdays, $6.00
302 E. Cota St., 884-0459

Remote-Control Car Races
11:30 a.m. every Sunday
Elings Park, Free! All ages!
1298 Las Positas Rd.
www.elingspark.org

S.B. Maritime Museum: Free!
3rd Thursday of the month
805-962-8404/www.sbmm.org

Museum of Natural History
Free admission
3rd Sunday of the month
(805) 682-4711
www.sbnature.org

Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Free admission every Sunday
805-963-4364/www.sbma.net

Ocean Ducks (polar bears)
Any ages, any suits, welcome!
9 a.m. every Sunday with
Post-swim potluck breakfast
Butterfly Beach, north stairs
Noon, Mon./Wed./Fri. at
shower near Beachside Cafe
Goleta Beach
www.oceanducks.com
(805) 637-8331

Drum Circle
Listen or participate!
4 p.m. Saturdays, all ages
Chase Palm Park
(805) 967-9956