Santa Barbara’s climate is famous throughout the United States. Sunny skies, moderate temperatures and no clouds. However, Santa Barbara locals know a secret: sometimes the summer heat can be too much to bear. So what do they do when they need to cool off?
The most popular option, of course, is to go to one of the many beaches in the area and dive in the Pacific Ocean. The best swimming beaches in Santa Barbara are Playa El Capitan and Playa Gaviota. What makes these two beaches better than the rest? El Capitan is a great option because there is a higher level of privacy than other beaches, and there is plenty of room for parties and groups to party and enjoy the sun and sand. Gaviota Beach is a winner because after taking a dip in the ocean, the strong winds will cool you down even more until you wonder if you should have brought a coat. Beaches to avoid in Santa Barbara are those with too many tide pools or high levels of tar seepage; look them up before you go.
Another option to cool off in the Santa Barbara weather is to take a short trip to visit Casitas Water Adventure, a wonderfully wet playground with two distinct areas for children and adults to enjoy. There’s a multi-level jungle gym surrounded by waterfalls that little kids can splash down, with bridges and slides flanking it to increase explorable territory. There’s another section of this water park called Lazy River, where families can ride inner tubes down a winding canal and travel under mist-filled bridges, across waterfalls and around water jets. Don’t worry about your kids if you decide to sit in the shade and relax—certified lifeguards are always on hand and watching closely to make sure playtime is safe for everyone.
If you want to stay cool but don’t feel like washing off salt water or chlorine at night, you might be better off heading to your local smoothie shops. Blenders in the Grass has several locations throughout the city of Santa Barbara, so take a look at their website to find the location closest to your home or hotel. Backyard Bowls is another alternative for delicious smoothies and even a breakfast bite; They even have gluten-free and vegan options.
Don’t let an occasional hot day in Santa Barbara get you down. The reality is that Santa Barbara has a reputation as heaven on earth because it typically tops out at 74 degrees. This guide is just in case you plan a trip to the city during one of its rare hot spells. If none of the above sound good, stay in an air-conditioned room and the next day, Santa Barbara will be pleasantly warm again!