May is here and Santa Barbara is buzzing with fun activities for everyone. Pop on your shades and get ready to make the most of this beautiful spring month in Santa Barbara!

Discovery Sea Cave Kayak Tour
WHEN: Every day in May
WHERE: Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
This guided kayak tour is perfect for those wanting to explore Channel Islands National Park by land and sea. First, join us for a paddle through sea caves and kelp forests. Aftward, our guides will point you in the right direction for a spectacular wildflower hike. — BOOK NOW

Santa Barbara Restaurant Week
WHEN: April 25 – May 4
Get your appetites ready for the return of Santa Barbara Restaurant Week! This annual event highlights our city restaurants and wineries. All participating restaurants will present delicious pre-fixe menus. Don’t miss your chance to try special menu items at some of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. 

Mother’s Day Sunset Kayak Tour
WHEN: May 11
TIME: 6–8PM
Surprise your mom with a picturesque Santa Barbara ocean sunset on a guided kayak tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Includes brief kayaking orientation, all necessary gear, discussions on Santa Barbara history and wildlife, and a knowledgeable guide. This tour is great for all kayaking skill levels from beginner to advanced. — BOOK NOW

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo
WHEN: April 24–27 & May 2–4
WHERE: Earl Warren Showgrounds
Experience endless family adventures at the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, where over thirty exhilarating carnival rides await to twist, twirl, and spin you into a world of fun. For the youngest guests, a dedicated kiddie rides and games area ensures age-appropriate excitement. Revel in non-stop entertainment, live music, adorable farm animals, a petting zoo, mouthwatering fair food, and a creative projects display in the exhibit hall.

Cupcake & Wine Tour
WHEN: Every day in May
TIME: ~10AM to ~4PM
Love wine and treats? Savor a cupcake and wine pairing on this all-inclusive tour featuring wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, a delicious locally-sourced lunch, and a knowledgeable guide for the day. — BOOK NOW

I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival
WHEN: May 24 – 26
WHERE: Old Mission Santa Barbara
Held on the Memorial Day Weekend at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, this annual festival presents the opportunity to view artists of all ages creating street paintings ranging from classical to original images.

Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show
WHEN: Every Sunday in May
TIME: 10am to 6PM
WHERE: Cabrillo Boulevard from Stearns Wharf to Calle Cesar Chavez
Set along the scenic beachfront at Chase Palm Park, the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show offers a relaxed, open-air atmosphere where visitors can meet local artists, learn about their craft, and even watch them at work. Every piece is handmade by Santa Barbara County residents, making it the perfect place to find a unique, locally crafted gift.

Downtown Santa Barbara Farmers Market
WHEN: Every Saturday and Tuesday in May
WHERE: 00 East and 00 West Blocks of Carrillo Street and the 900-1000 blocks of State Street (Saturdays from 8am-1pm) / 600-800 blocks of State Street (Tuesdays from 3-7pm)
Shop local fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, small plants and specialty items.

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Spring has sprung, and it’s time to bring out the Easter baskets, decorate eggs, and embark on exciting egg hunts! If you’re spending your Easter holiday in Santa Barbara, there’s no shortage of delightful events for you and your family to enjoy. Here are some of the top Easter celebrations in the area:

The Great Egg Hunt at Elings Park
DATE: April 19
TIMES: 10AM (Ages 0-3), 10:30AM (Ages 4-6), 11AM (Ages 7-10)
WHERE: Elings Park Softball Fields
Enjoy the sunshine, a bounce house, face painting, and an appearance from the Easter Bunny! Delicious Claudia Coffee Bar will be available to fuel your adventure. Please bring your own baskets.

The Great Easter Egg Hunt at Rosewood Miramar Beach
DATE: April 20
TIMES: 12 PM (Ages 6 and under), 12:45 PM (Ages 7 and older), 2 PM (Ages 6 and under), 2:45 PM (ages 7 and older)
WHERE: Rosewood Miramar Beach
Celebrate Easter with the entire family along the American Riviera and get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny himself! 

Easter Breakfast, Brunch, & Egg Hunt at El Encanto
DATE: April 20
TIMES: Breakfast 7–10AM, Brunch 10AM–2PM, Easter Egg Hunt 1PM
WHERE: El Encanto
Among El Encanto’s gorgeous gardens, fuel up on seasonal specialties with an a la carte breakfast menu or brunch buffet before their legendary Easter egg hunt.

Easter Kayaking at Channel Islands National Park
DATE: April 20
WHERE: Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island
Discover the beauty of California’s sea caves with a day trip to Channel Islands National Park. Departing from Ventura Harbor, you’ll have the chance to spot dolphins and marine life during your ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. Once you arrive, groups can explore the captivating caves by kayak, and take advantage of opportunities to snorkel or hike. — BOOK NOW

If you’re aware of any other fun Easter weekend events in the Santa Barbara area that we may have missed, please share them in the comment section below. We hope you have a fantastic Easter celebration, wherever you choose to spend it!

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With early wildflowers starting to bloom, and mild temperatures, February is the perfect time of year for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and kayaking. Strap on your adventure shoes, because there are a lot of fun things to do nearby this month:

Santa Barbara International Film Festival
WHEN: 2/4 to 2/15
WHERE: The Arlington Theater, Lobero Theater, Riviera Theater, and more
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. Film enthusiasts can enjoy special panels, award ceremonies, and films at some of the city’s most historic theaters. 

Valentine’s Day Wine Tour
WHEN: February 14th
TIME: 10AM-5PM
WHERE: Includes pick-up/drop-off in Santa Barbara and transportation to Santa Ynez Valley
What better way to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day than with a wine tasting excursion in scenic wine country? Let us take care of all the details while you bask in the beauty of breathtaking sights and sip the distinctive flavors of Santa Barbara Wine Country. — Book Valentine’s Day Wine Tour

Santa Barbara Antique, Decorative Arts Vintage Show & Sale
WHEN: February 21-23
TIME: Fri & Sat 11AM–6PM, Sun 11AM–4PM
WHERE: Earl Warren Showgrounds
Stop by and browse a selection of vintage goods from the 17th Century to the Mid-century. The showroom will feature over 60 quality dealers from around the country, offering an array of merchandise to please any shopper.

Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Channel Islands National Park
WHEN: Every day in February
WHERE: Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
February at Channel Islands National Park is famous for flowering giant coreopsis, lush/green hillsides, migrating sea birds, breeding seals & sea lions, and spectacular marine geysers known as blowholes. — Book Now

First Thursday Art Walk
WHEN: February 6th
TIME: 5-8PM
On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and venues offer free access to visual and performing arts in a fun and social environment. Venues feature attractions such as art openings, live music, artists’ receptions, lectures, wine tastings, and hands-on activities.

Harbor Wildlife Kayak Tour
WHEN: Every day in February
TIME: Departing at 10AM and 1PM
WHERE: Santa Barbara Harbor
Join us for a relaxing introduction to kayaking where we’ll take a 2-hour paddling adventure around the Santa Barbara shoreline. This tour is the perfect half-day activity and a great introduction to the exciting sport of sea kayaking. Fun and affordable for the whole family! This tour has a 2-person minimum and the tour may be canceled if less than 2 people book on any tour date. — Book Now

Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market
WHEN: Recurring weekly on Saturday
TIME: 8AM – 1PM
WHERE: Carrillo St (Between Chapala & Anacapa St)
Each week the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year-round, rain or shine. Music and entertainment liven the markets while creating a positive ambiance. 

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Although Santa Barbara’s fantastic climate can often trick us into thinking summer is a year-round affair, the holiday season has arrived, whether we’re ready or not!  Fortunately, Santa Barbara is packed with great holiday activities for people of all ages this time of year, and we have highlighted some of the area’s best events and activities:

Zoo Lights
WHEN: Open Wed-Sun in November. ZooLights will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays (except 11/22) and Thanksgiving Day
TIME: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: Santa Barbara Zoo
See the Zoo in a whole new light at the first-ever ZooLights! Enjoy this immersive holiday experience featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs.

Thanksgiving 4-Miler 2022
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day (11/24)
WHERE: Magnolia Shopping Center
Come out and enjoy the 24th annual running of the original Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler. The flat and fast course stands apart from many of the local run courses with a start along Hollister Avenue to Turnpike leading to a stretch along the bike path and then winding through neighborhood streets to the finish at Thunderbird Park (on Walnut Avenue – just off Hollister Avenue).
Online registration closes at 6:00 AM Thursday, November 24th. Feel free to show up on race day to join us! The race starts at 9:05am.

Santa Ynez Wine Tour
WHEN: Every Day in November from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Thanksgiving)
Includes pick-up/drop-off in Santa Barbara and transportation to Santa Ynez Valley.
Join us for a wine tour during this beautiful and festive time of year! — Book Now

Moxi Thanksgiving Camp
WHEN: November 21st & 23rd
WHERE: The Moxi

Enjoy a Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Dinner
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day
Visit Santa Barbara has compiled a list of where to get a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in town here.

Stroll the Botanical Gardens
WHEN: 10 am to 5 pm
WHERE: Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
Stroll the beautiful gardens with your family. They have many fun events throughout November!

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That’s 20 years of support from Santa Barbara and beyond doing what we love every day. We are a premier outfitter on the central coast of California, we operate sea cave kayaking tours in Channel Islands National Park, coastal kayaking tours, surf + SUP, wine tours, teambuilding, outdoor education and more. We started in 1998 and want to celebrate by giving back this year, with 20 Days of Giving Back #Giving20SB

We finished all 20 of our days of giving back! These were all completed in a year, but of course we are looking forward to continue giving back as much as we can. We loved this experience because we feel it brought us closer to the community, meet incredible people and feel like we made a positive difference. If you have any ideas on organizations in need, leave them in the comments!

First, enjoy a blast from the past with some of these photos over the past 20 years:

Below are days of giving back we completed, all in the year 2018!

1. Beach clean-up with the Surfrider Foundation

We kicked off 20 Days of Giving Back by organizing a beach clean up with our staff, along with the Surfrider Foundation. That blue ocean and beautiful sandy beach deserves our love!

2. Supporting local families

After the heart-wrenching devastation that Montecito and surrounding communities endured with the debris flow, we wanted to donate to local families who had lost most everything, particularly their gear that helps them get outside. An REI gift card seemed like the ticket!

3. Board game donations to Unity Shoppe

At Santa Barbara Adventure company, we LOVE board games, we have a weekly game night and it made us so bummed to think some people don’t even have board games to play with. We teamed up with Unity Shoppe in downtown Santa Barbara and hosted a board game drive, people were able to drop off gently-used board games.

4. Collecting Shoes to Donate to Soles4Souls

We worked with Soles4Souls and came up with over 100 pairs of shoes to donate!

5. First Responder Day

We invited Search and Rescue members out to Santa Cruz Island with Island Packers as ferry service and Channel Islands Provisioners providing lunch. It was incredible to be able to host these brave men and women and their families in a day of sea cave kayaking!

6. Supporting the Koala Exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo

We are all about conservation and education, so when we found out the Santa Barbara Zoo was getting a new koala exhibit, we were excited to help out. We made a donation to support the exhibit and even visited the koalas on their grand opening! The zoo even has a couple Channel Islands foxes, which of course we are partial to working with the endemic species at the Channel Islands National Park.

7. Volunteering with the Santa Barbara County Food Bank

The group sales and marketing managers took an afternoon to decompress and visited our friends at the Santa Barbara County Food Bank. There, they helped sort food to be distributed to groups and individuals in need. The Santa Barbara County food bank is always in need of volunteers and has really fun opportunities to get to meet new people and make a positive difference in the community.

8. CycleMAYnia! Our team biked almost 1,000 miles during May

Our team worked to reduce emissions and get exercise and biked to work as much as we could during the month of May. Together we obtained almost 1,000 miles and supported local organization Traffic Solutions.

9. Donated to Channel Islands Restoration

Channel Islands Restoration ensures the islands remain pristine and productive. Any donation to them goes a long way in protecting the place we love most!

10. Fourth of July Beachfront Cleanup 

Independence Day is always fun, but it does end up with a lot of litter if people don’t take the time to properly dispose of their party materials. On the way to work some staff members stopped to clean up a section of waterfront and was impressed with the results! The city employees were working long after we were so give them a high five when you see them!

11. Holiday Fire Clean-Up Volunteering

The Holiday Fire in Goleta came suddenly and many people their home and everything in it. The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade is a local organization that helps sift through debris and find things of importance or values for families to reconnect with. Some of our staff volunteered with the Bucket Brigade and were humbled by the opportunity.

12. Native Planting with Channel Islands Restoration

Channel Islands Restoration gathers volunteers to assist with native plants in the Channel Islands and beyond. Some of our staff actually went out to San Nicolas island (a remote island part of the Channel Islands) to help restore native plant habitat. Other staff went to Camarillo to prepare plants for the journey.

13. Food Drive with Island Packers and Food Bank of Santa Barbara County

We teamed together with our friends at Island Packers (the ferry company who services Channel Islands National Park) and organized a food drive with barrels guests and employees alike could donate to.

14. Recycling Energy Bar Wrappers with TerraCycle

We eat a lot of energy bars in our line of work (and so do our guests!) Terracycle is a program that makes it easy to recycle these wrappers so they stay out of the landfill. We ship a box of them off to Terracycle as soon as it’s full – easy as that!

15. Serving Food at Picnic in the Park!

Picnic in the Park is an incredible program put on by the Santa Barbara County Food Bank. Kids and their families can come to the determined location (usually a park or library) and are offered a free healthy lunch, fun books and games! Some of our guides volunteered and loved getting to meet these fun, fabulous kids!

16. A Service Day with Teva 

We took the Teva team out in our backyard for a fun day of trail restoration and maintenance! We had perfect conditions to get our hands dirty and give back to our trails, which are a huge part of what makes Santa Barbara so special. It was a fun day of service to the local trails we love.

17. Donated to Marathoners Raising Money to Help the Water Crisis

Our friend Noelle at Visit Santa Barbara and her husband are joining together to run a marathon to fight the global water crisis. We donated to this year’s cause…$50 = clean water for 1 child for life.

18. Made a Donation to the HomeForGood Foundation

The Home for Good Foundation in Santa Barbara County is designed to house the most vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. One main avenue of housing these people is through reunification.

19. Created a Social Media Contest with Proceeds Going to Direct Relief, to help California fire victims

The Camp Fire in Paradise, California combined with the Hill and Woolsey Fires in Malibu area made for some of the most devastating fires in California’s history. Santa Barbara Adventure Company gave $1.00 for each person to comment on a specific Instagram post, and the response was outstanding! Direct Relief improves the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.

20. Social Media Contest Supporting Channel Islands Park Foundation

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. Their mission is to protect species, conserve ecosystems, and preserve America’s maritime heritage.

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Here are our top ten favorite unique ideas for spending time together outside on Mother’s Day:

(1) Explore Santa Cruz Island’s Incredible Sea Caves

Come explore Channel Islands National Park with the Channel Islands Adventure Company! We’ll spend a half-day exploring the sea caves around Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. No other area of the park offers as many sea cave kayaking opportunities. Book a tour online.

(2) Discover Santa Ynez Wine Country by Sprinter Van or Bike!

Join us on Sunday, May 12th to cheers mom on a wine tour! We’ll visit three local wineries and have lunch in the Santa Ynez Valley. Groups often enjoy a barrel room tour and explore the small town of Los Olivos. Your guide will discuss local history and insights into the Santa Ynez wine region along the way. Book a tour online using the coupon code: MOMSROCK before Mother’s Day for any of our wine country tours and you’ll receive 10% off. Coupon good for all wine tours before June 15th.

(3) Take a Hike And Enjoy the View Together

Why not hike to Inspiration Point with someone who has been an inspiration in your life? The hike is only 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of 800 feet and offers incredible views of the American Riviera. There are also some great hiking opportunities on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park. Pssst: Mom wants you to pack some snacks for the summit! More information on the trail  here.

(4) Get Cultured with an SB Architectural Walking Tour

Experience Santa Barbara, its past and its architecture with a small group walking tour through the downtown area. Led by knowledgeable docents of the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara, tours are abound with sights, secrets, and stories of the unique Santa Barbara architectural landscape. Tours leaves from the downtown public library entrance courtyard on Anapamu Street. Tours are leisurely and last approximately 2 hours. Suggested donation of $10. For more information email: info@afsb.org or call 805-965-6307

(5) Volunteer To Make A Difference

Explore Ecology will be hosting an Arroyo Burro beach clean-up on Mother’s Day from 10am-12pm. Meet at the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Beach just before 10am. If you like, bring your own bag, bucket, and gloves. If you don’t have them, they’ll have supplies. You can find more details here.

(6) Run a Half-Marathon in Wine Country!

Bring your family and friends to enjoy a weekend full of activities in this bucolic setting and celebrate in style at the expanded post-race Wine & Music Festival in Solvang Park. Register with code SBWINETOUR15 for an exclusive 15% off your half marathon or half marathon relay registration.  Discount valid through May 3, 2019. The day before or after, join us for a wine tour around the valley! 

(7) Tour Local Art Studios Together

The annual Carpinteria Artists Studio Tour takes place each May during Mother’s Day Weekend. Join for the inside scoop when dozens of local professional artists open their doors for a glimpse behind the scenes where the creative experience unfolds. The event is from 10-5pm and is free to the public! More information here.

(9) Explore the Treasures of the Santa Barbara Mission

Learn about the Mission’s architecture, beautiful artwork, and view some of its greatest treasures in areas not normally open to the public.Tickets are $20 per person and space is limited so call 805-682-4713, ext. 166 or email museumtours@sboldmission.org to book.

(9) Soak in Sunday Polo at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club

Don a hat this Sunday from 2:30-5:30pm and to join in the fun on Mother’s Day at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club! Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online. Don’t miss the “Overtime Party” a social after-party beginning immediately following the trophy presentation at Sunday Polo in the main clubhouse and on the field where guests can enjoy dancing and live entertainment.

(10) Enjoy a Sunset Kayak in the SB Harbor Together

End the evening celebrating mom with a beautiful sunset backdrop. Our Harbor Sunset Kayak is the perfect surprise for mom before or after dinner. The trip includes 2 hours on the water paddling around as you learn about marine ecology and local history. It’s a great way to end a full day of celebrating mom. Book online or call our office (805) 884-WAVE.

No matter how you decide to celebrate the incredible women in your life, we hope you have a wonderful time together making memories. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers near and far.

If we missed any great ideas for celebrating mom outdoors in the local area drop us a comment!

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Catch a movie at the Arlington Theater
The Arlington Theater at 1317 State Street will be showing holiday favorites throughout the holiday. This historic theater is a great venue for catching a show. The interior has been decorated to resemble a historic village complete with twinkling lights on the ceiling. Relax and enjoy some ction!

Check out of the holiday lights on the SB Trolley Lights
This 90 minute tour takes you to some of the best light displays in town. Snuggle up with a blanket and enjoy all the flashing decor Santa Barbara has to offer. This tour is offered the 9th through the 22nd, but does often sell out – so call in advance to book your date.

Visit one of Santa Barbara’s beautiful parks
There are several parks through out the city for guests of all ages to enjoy. Chase Palm Park sits across from the shoreline, features a marine themed play structure. Downtown you will find Alice Keck Park Gardens featuring a duck pond and wandering paths. Here is a list of other parks in the Santa Barbara area. For the adventurous at heart, there is also the Channel Islands National Park just off the coast of Santa Barbara.

Book an fun activity for the day
If you love to get out and see the sights, then book a biking tour, kayaking trip or SUP tour. Santa Barbara Adventure Company has trips departing every day and can work with groups big or small. The holidays are best when you can come together and explore – let us help you plan a day of bonding and fun this season.

From our family to yours, Santa Barbara Adventure Company wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope these suggestions help you make the most of the holiday season, and provide fun for the whole family. If you are looking for some more suggestions and tips, check out all the other trips we offer or give us a ring (805-884-9283)  or send us an email and we will be happy to plan an unforgettable adventure customized just for your needs.

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