CAMP INCLUDES:

• Friendly and knowledgeable guides
• Snacks, water refills, & sunscreen are provided (sack lunches should be brought daily)
• All necessary gear for activities, including a free SBACo Hat for every camper!

Camps are both fun and educational. Guides will give interpretation regarding one of the most biodiverse and productive ocean systems in the world, as well as the national marine sanctuary in our backyard. Campers may even have a chance to get a close-up look at marine invertebrates and other sea dwellers. Campers are also able to learn a new sport that they can enjoy for a lifetime.

Throughout the various activities, they will build confidence in themselves and in others while learning skills that will translate well into many life experiences.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

One of the best parts about private summer camps is our ability to customize them to your preferences and needs. Prefer to do a 5 day surf camp? We can absolutely do that!

COST

1 – 4 campers: $2,800

Additional campers: +$650/person

Upgrade to a Day trip to Channel Islands National Park, with kayaking: +$200/person (GREAT VALUE!)

The fun isn’t limited to children, adults are welcome to join too! Have you been social distancing with a neighbor family? We are happy to accommodate both families together!

Ready to get your campers outside? Send us your Registration Inquiry and we will follow up as soon as possible.

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Here are five of our top choices!

1) Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour 

For a local kayaking adventure, the Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour is a great option. This tour meets at Refugio State Beach and explores the Gaviota Coast – one of the few remaining undeveloped coastlines in California! A local guide leads the tour, teaching basic kayaking skills beforehand and pointing out the local ecology and history throughout the tour. Lunch is included. This is a perfect half day adventure and a great way to get a new view of the California coastline!

2) Kayaking the Channel Islands 

If you are looking for a longer kayaking adventure, go kayaking in the Channel Islands! This all-day adventure starts in the Ventura area where you meet your guide, board a ferry, and head off to the Channel Islands National Park! For a limited time, we have the Channel Islands Sea Cave Kayak Tour that will run April 11th and 18th ONLY. This tour will be on a chartered boat to the Scorpion Anchorage area to kayak through sea caves weather permitting.

The other tour option will head to Prisoners Harbor, which will explore the north coast of the island. This area has a rich history and beautiful coastlines with a friendly guide who will point out wildlife. Kayaking in the Channel Islands is an experience of a lifetime!

3) Wine Tour in the Santa Ynez Valley 

The Santa Ynez Valley is another great area to explore and there are a variety of wine tours available to experience the region. This area is beautiful in the spring, the hills are green and the wildflowers are
blooming, making for a picturesque spring tour. The Santa Ynez Valley Tour is the classic wine tour and includes door to door shuttle service, wine tasting at three local wineries, fresh and local lunch, and a knowledgeable guide to share knowledge and insights from the area. Other options are available including a Wine and Bike Tour, Cupcake and Wine Tour, Wine County Shuttle service, and even custom group tours. The Wine Tours are a great way to explore the Valley and get a unique perspective of Santa Barbara County.

4) Visit the MOXI

The city of Santa Barbara itself is full of adventures and places to explore, like the MOXI museum. The MOXI is an interactive museum that offers guests a chance to learn and play. Exhibits include everything from interactive sound studios to a fluid dynamic sky garden. Located in the heart of downtown, this museum is great for all ages and has special events and programs for a variety of age groups throughout the year to make your trip even more fantastic.

5) Go to a Festival 

One not to miss spring event in Santa Barbara is the Earth Day Festival. Celebrating it’s 50th year here in Santa Barbara, this festival has two full days of entertainment, music, exhibits, and even a beer and wine garden! With exhibits for all ages and a variety of food options, this event has something for everyone. This festival is a great way to see the local side of Santa Barbara and help a great cause.

Santa Barbara truly is a great place to experience Spring Break. With access to so many trails, restaurants, and shops, as well as so many activities, it has something for everyone.

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Learn To Surf – Experience the waves of the Pacific Ocean with our surf instructors who have over 25 years of experience. Find the best local breaks in the area while mastering the fundamentals of one of Santa Barbara’s favorite past times. Afterwards, relax on the beach, read that book you’ve been meaning to finish and enjoy the views!

Horseback Riding– Ride along the beach on horseback, with majestic mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Los Padres Outfitters offer guided horseback rides, both daytime and sunset. Their horses are suitable for all skill levels and their guides love to share a totally unique way to experience the beach. They can even prepare a picnic lunch for you to enjoy – you’re welcome to bring your own wine.

Tide Pooling at Coal Oil Point– Just a few minutes north of Santa Barbara, check out several low lying rock formations brimming with sea life for an experience you’ll never forget. Take a nice long walk during low tide, spotting barnacles, mussels, anemones, sea hares, crabs & more! Be sure to check when low tide is for the best experience – it could be morning, mid-day or afternoon.

Stand Up Paddle Lessons– Enjoy a unique view of the American Riviera while enjoying an ocean sport quickly becoming a favorite among locals. Most tours see wildlife including sea lions, seals and sea stars.

Beach Art – Take some inspiration from British artist Andy Goldsworthy and challenge yourself to create natural art using only the elements around you, from sand & rocks to shells and seaweed. As the artist said,“It’s just about life and the need to understand that a lot of things in life do not last.”

Andy Goldsworthy

Combing for Sea Glass – Grab a re-usable bag and head to the beach nearest you! Comb the surf and surrounding area for weathered glass, a process that takes 20+ years for the signature characteristics of bottles long ago broken & tossed aside to develop. Spring tides and the first low tides after a storm are the best. Sea glass can be used for many fun projects from wall decor to jewelry. Take this opportunity to pick up any miscellaneous trash as well so we can all continue to enjoy pristine beaches.

Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour

Santa Barbara’s Gaviota Coast is a great spot for a short paddle and super fun beach day. Located on rural and undeveloped coastline, this is a beautiful area rich with marine life. We often see dolphins, sea lions and other marine life while on the water. At mid-day you’ll stop for deli lunch, served on a secluded beach. As the trip progresses, your guide may offer a fun series of kayak challenges and games. This unforgettable trip provides great opportunities to swim, play or just float. It’s perfect for all ages of swimmers.

Bring Your Pet – If you are lucky enough to have a four-legged friend, Hendry’s Beach this the perfect haven for you. Dogs are permitted off leash for a long stretch of perfect coastline. There are several great spots tucked along the cliffs where you can kick back while your dog goes wild in the surf. You can end the day with a nice meal at the Boathouse, a tasty brunch and seafood spot right on the water.

Volunteer for a Beach Cleanup – Interested in combining some relaxation and fun with a way of giving back? Consider volunteering for a local beach cleanup. There are many companies in Santa Barbara that have participated in the Adopt-A-Beach program who organize events throughout the year.

What other activities do you do on the beach?

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Santa Barbara is a great place to spend your day. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the 4^th of July outdoors in Santa Barbara:

– Beat the firework crowds with a Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor. Enjoy a beautiful Independence Day sunset from the water before landing just in time to catch the 9pm Santa Barbara fireworks lighting up the sky.

– Learn a new skill! Take a surf lesson at Santa Claus beach or stand up paddle lesson in the Santa Barbara harbor.

– Celebrate independence with an exhilarating bike ride from the Mountains to the Shore.

– Head out to the Channel Islands for a day trip to kayak the incredible sea caves. You’ll be back in time to catch dinner and enjoy fireworks in Ventura or Santa Barbara. You could also camp on Santa Cruz Island and catch multiple fireworks displays from the mainland.

– Kick start your evening festivities with a bike tour through Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.  Come explore the Santa Barbara wine region with a bike tour. Enjoy a picnic style lunch, wine tasting and a fun guide who will show you the way. This is one of our most popular summer tours, available most days during the Summer season. Call or check online 805-884-9283.

– Catch the 55th Annual 4th of July Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. at Micheltorena Street, proceeding down State Street to Old Town Santa Barbara, concluding at Cota Street. Over 175 agencies will parade to a patriotic theme for the community to enjoy. This event is coordinated by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation. Contact www.pcvf.org or (805) 259-4394 for more information.

– Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara (2201 Laguna Street) for a special 4th of July Art Show and view 80 incredible artisans for one of the largest and longest running art shows in California! Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the sights and sounds of this long running art show. Free parking and admission! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

– Hang out in Stearns Wharf and enjoy the Stearns Wharf Merchants Association Festival. Live music will start beginning at 12:00 p.m. and Santa Barbara’s fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. While waiting for the fireworks show to begin, the wharf offers many attractions including live music by Tequila Mockingbird and others along with face painting; ice cream, sherbet, candy, popcorn, fudge, and cotton candy; jewelry, hats, leather goods, art, crafts, gifts, toys, shells, mineral, and fossils; wine tasting; bait and tackle along with fishing gear rentals; palm reading; fresh fish, shellfish, steaks, prime rib, fish and chips, burgers, cocktails, exotic tropical drinks, and more! You can even enjoy a child-friendly water taxi ride and interactive Sea Centermuseum. There’s something for everyone!

We wish everyone a happy and safe 4^th of July.

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There are many iconic images surrounding surfing: Bronzed bodies in bikinis and board shorts gallivanting on the beach, long boarders hanging ten, hot babes everywhere, bonfires burning, guitars strumming, and of course, extreme stoke. In mainstream media, surfing has become the internal search for the eternal summer. What many visitors to the California coast do not realize is that locals wait all year for winter swells. Sure, a suntan is cool man, but a macking ten-foot barrel ride is way cooler.

Santa Barbara is a hot spot for winter surf. When swell starts to travel from the northwest, every sand bar, reef, and point starts breaking. What does that mean for the adventure tourist? Ample opportunity to find an empty wave to learn on! While the summer is packed with beach-goers, winter sand is often deserted, making the entire experience very personalized. It’s just you, the view and some tasty waves.  Before you go, there are some crucial elements to cover to make sure your surf safari is an epic journey.

Tips for new surfers: While air temperatures have been known to reach the high 80’s (yes, pack your bikini and sunscreen), water temperatures drop into the 50s. So you are going to need a good wetsuit, and even might consider booties and a hood. I always have an old laundry detergent bottle full of hot water waiting for me to rinse off with, a couple of dry towels, snacks, drinking water, hot coffee, my IPhone to Instagram, sun glasses, a hat, special sunscreen for my face, a waterproof box to store all my wet gear, extra leashes, and at least two boards in my car.
Recommended surf board (type face and color): Start out on a foam board, a minimum of 9 feet long. If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, A-Frame Surf shop on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, can rent you all the gear you need to get in the water. The best part is they are located on one of the most popular beginning spots in the county. Just south of Santa Claus are some really mellow long boarding waves such as Mondos, Solimar, or, my personal favorite, C-Street in Ventura.

Get a surf instructor through Santa Barbara Adventure Company: The truth is winter surfing takes a ton of gear and preparation. You can save weeks of banging your head in the sand and be up riding waves in one day by booking a lesson. Santa Barbara Adventure Company guides are dedicated to making sure that every one of their clients gets to experience the joy of wave riding in the winter. The best part is they will take care of the boards, wetsuits, booties, food, and even do the picture taking for you.  While most other companies offer standard one hour lessons, SBACo keeps you in the water for half a day. Most importantly, the guides know where to surf and where the waves will have enough power to get you riding, but at the same time keep you safe from rocks, reef, riptides and pounding shore break.  Just smooth rides and good vibes.

You are on your way to living your surfing dreams! Keep the stoke, and don’t stop paddling. Paddle, paddle, paddle, smile, laugh, paddle…paddle.

Amy DiChiro, Adventure Blogger and Celebrity Guide.

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We started our day on the palm studded beach at Refugio State Beach, about 20 minutes west of Santa Barbara. I was honestly a bit nervous that I would be really cold as the clouds covered the sun. The weather forecast was for a high of 65, pretty typical for Santa Barbara at this time of year. We had come prepared, though, bringing everything we could think of to make the trip enjoyable.

However, our tour guide came even more prepared than we were. He offered us full body wetsuits, which were amazingly and instantly warm. It was like putting on an electric blanket. When the wind picked up, we all donned the weather proof rowing jackets he provided. Topped with a life jacket, we were set. It turns out that all we needed to bring was a swim suit, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Our guide provided absolutely everything else, from water bottles and towels, to a safe place to put our car keys.

My son anxiously watched as our tour guide taught us how to face into the waves with our kayaks and paddle. He was a little bit nervous about getting through the waves, even though they were small and fairly calm. Our tour guide helped push my 8 year old and I straight through the waves and we were off. I turned around in my kayak to watch my nervous 10-year-old as he and daddy paddled hard through the small surf. The beaming smile on his face told me that he loved it. The nervousness was gone AND we were toasty warm! Paddling out to sea was just the start of our adventure! Because of our instructions on the shore, we all knew how to paddle our kayaks, although actually rowing them took more muscle than I remembered!

My boys loved the ride up the coast. We saw cormorants and were given a bit of a nature lesson on this unique bird. We floated into the kelp beds and learned some of the many uses for this fast growing plant. We even tasted a little bit… didn’t taste like chicken… tasted like spinach!

Landing on our secluded beach was a bit more tricky because the waves were a bit higher. Our tour guide safely guided us in and helped us land with no problems. After a rest and some exploring on the beach, I was ready for lunch. I had imagined a deli style, pre-packaged lunch that was included in our tour. I was very much surprised and delighted to see the spread of gourmet sandwich toppings and sides that our tour guide had prepared for us. Delicious! My kids loved it too and greatly appreciated the soda and cookies. They played in the sand and surf with another young boy on our trip and had a great afternoon.

We headed back to Refugio State Beach and made quick time due to some fun races that my son was anxious to play and win. We landed easily and found that the hardest part of the day was taking the sticky wet suits off! What an amazing trip!

The cost of this trip is well worth it, especially because of our expert guide, all of the professional equipment available to us, and the gourmet lunch. We felt very well taken care of and really enjoyed all that nature had to offer. The Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers great adventures with expert tour guides and careful planning and preparation. As we heard about the other trips our tour guide had been on for Santa Barbara Adventure Company, we became eager to join him again on a kayak trip at the Channel Islands, on a bike trip through the green hills near Santa Barbara, or to a horseback riding trip. So many fun adventures yet to be had!

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Guest Blogger, Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, homeschool their 3 boys and a girl ages 2 to 10.  They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.

Thanks for sharing Michelle. Hope to see you again real soon.

If you have a question or comment about traveling with your family, please post in our comment section below.

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Parking fees: Almost all of these beaches have some type of parking fee. There is open parking at Summerland’s Lookout Park. There are a few 90 minute parking spots at Leadbetter Beach and some street parking available at East Beach. Santa Barbara’s parking fees are generally very reasonable.

Camping: You can make camping reservations for the 3 state park beach areas. They are Carpentaria State Park, El Capitan State Park and Refugio State Park. Make reservation early for the summer months or you might be disappointed.

Kayaking and Surfing: Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers guided kayaking tours and surfing lessons at several of these beaches including Refugio State Beach, West Beach, East Beach and Santa Claus Lane. You can rent kayaks on the weekends at the Adventure Company Rental Site on East Beach. Call to ensure the site will be open if you are planning a group event.

Finding some of Santa Barbara’s favorite beaches can be tricky, especially if you don’t know your way around town. Here is a map to help you plan your route.

Where is your favorite beach? Please share your insights, tips and reviews. We appreciate your feedback!

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