A few weeks ago, my husband and I brought the kids to the zoo. I loathe zoos. In fact, my son’s first visit to the zoo was with his father. But there is something about the Santa Barbara Zoo. The fact that it is smaller than the Los Angeles and San Diego zoos is a bonus for me. It stinks, but not too unpleasant, thanks to the seaside breeze nearby (indeed, the beach is only a short walk away!). The languid animals are adorable to me, the grounds are beautiful, there are plenty of open areas that my son enjoys, the people are friendly, and it is well-suited to children. The soft taco snack and children’s play area are also big pluses.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 2–12 years old.