Mike’s Insider guide to Santa Barbara

Mike’s Santa Barbara Insider’s Guide

I’ve lived in Santa Barbara for years now (you can usually find me pouring wine at Samsara when I’m not chasing my kids around town), and people are always asking me the same thing: “where should we go, what should we eat, what do the locals actually do here?” So I finally wrote it all down. Steal these and pass them off as your own, your friends will think you’re the local expert.

Activities

Start with the Botanical Gardens. It’s genuinely one of my favorite spots in town, there’s an obstacle course and a ton for kids to explore, but it’s also just beautiful, so the adults aren’t standing around bored.

Downtown, Moxi is the go-to kids science museum. Rule of thumb: if you’re at Moxi, walk across the street to McConnell’s for ice cream after. Non-negotiable.

The Museum of Natural History is a favorite too, especially the backyard space and the dinosaur exhibit. Kids could spend all day there.

For something totally different, get out on the water with the Lil Toot. It’s a little boat tour and you’re basically guaranteed to see sea lions on the buoy, plus you get a beautiful view of the city from the water.

While you’re at Stearns Wharf, pop into the Sea Center. It’s got interactive touch tanks that kids love.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is always a solid choice.

Kids World Park is great if your crew just needs to run around and play.

If you’ve got a climber on your hands, The Pad is a fun indoor climbing gym.

Shoreline Park has a great playground with an ocean view, hard to beat that combo.

And don’t skip the Harbor. Walk out to the Whale Tail, it’s a fun little landmark for kids.

Where to Eat

In the Harbor, On the Alley is my quick-service pick. Burgers, chicken fingers, and genuinely great fish tacos. My move: order it to go, walk out to the end of the wharf, and eat with that view.

If you want to sit down and take it a little slower, Gracie is great for brunch or lunch, a bit more composed than On the Alley.

Bettina Pizza has the best pepperoni pizza I’ve had outside of Paulie Gee’s in Brooklyn, and that’s saying something.

Head down to Linden Square in Carpinteria and you’ve got Bettina, Third Window Brewery for smash burgers, and Corazon for great Mexican, all in one spot.

The SB Public Market is a great option when your group can’t agree on one cuisine, everyone finds something they want.

Secret Bao is great Asian fusion, and somehow the kids always gravitate toward the PB&J and grilled cheese baos.

For delivery nights, Rusty’s Pizza is the best in town. Don’t bother with the others.

Lucky Penny is another reliable local favorite.

And Padaro Beach Grill has a sand play area with toys, plus it’s right on the train tracks, so when a train goes by, the kids lose their minds in the best way.