USA & Canada · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Santa Barbara and Montecito packing list for families
Santa Barbara rarely gets very hot or very cold, but one day can hold a foggy morning, a warm afternoon, and a cool evening. Pack in layers, and this easy stretch of coast is a dream with kids.
Photo by Erick Morales Oyola on Unsplash
Kristina's notes on Santa Barbara & Montecito
- This is a layers place. Mornings can be gray and cool, especially in May and June, and afternoons warm up fast. I pack a hoodie for every child, every season.
- Natural oil seeps off the coast leave small tar spots on the sand. Pack baby oil or a tar remover wipe for feet, and keep an old towel in the car.
- The Pacific is cold here most of the year. Kids will play much longer in the water with a thin wetsuit.
Best timeApr–Jun, Sep–Nov
PlugsUS plugs, no adapter needed
MoneyUS dollar
PassportNot for US citizens
Your packing edit
Santa Barbara & Montecito
This time of year
Shop this list
Every item links to what Kristina would buy. Tap Add to bag on what you're missing, then check out on Amazon in one tap.
Carry-on8
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Clothing5
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Light hoodie or zip jacketMarine layer mornings and evenings are cool.
Shoes1
Sandals
Beach & pool10
Swimsuits2 per person
UPF rash guardsKristina's pick
Mineral sunscreen
Wide-brim sun hats
Swim diapers
Hyperlite life jacket for boat and ocean daysKristina's pickA properly fitted life jacket for boats and open water.
Lightweight beach tote
Goggles
Kids' shorty wetsuitKristina's pickOcean temperatures stay cool even in summer.
Beach tar remover wipesNatural tar on the sand sticks to feet.
Little ones4
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Little things15
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Tap night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Kids' sunglasses
Wet bag for swimsuits
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Health & toiletries5
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Bug spray
Hanging toiletry bag
Motion-sickness bandsWhale watches and Channel Islands crossings can be bumpy.
Documents & tech1
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
The outfit edit
Riviera blues
White, Riviera blue, cream, lemon
For photos
- Blue, white, and one lemon accent
- Early morning, before the crowds
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
Santa Barbara & Montecito weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65°F 18°C | Mild days, cool nights, and most of the year's rain. | Monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus groves at Ellwood Mesa in Goleta. Gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their migration. |
| February | 66°F 19°C | Mild days, cool nights, and most of the year's rain. | Monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus groves at Ellwood Mesa in Goleta. Gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their migration. |
| March | 67°F 19°C | Mild days, cool nights, and most of the year's rain. | Gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their migration. |
| April | 70°F 21°C | Mild and green, with sunny afternoons. | Gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their migration. |
| May | 71°F 22°C | Morning marine layer and fog, often clearing by the afternoon. | |
| June | 73°F 23°C | Morning marine layer and fog, often clearing by the afternoon. | Humpback and blue whales feed in the channel, a great time for a whale watch. |
| July | 76°F 24°C | Warm, dry, and sunny, with September and October often the clearest days of the year. | Humpback and blue whales feed in the channel, a great time for a whale watch. |
| August | 78°F 26°C | Warm, dry, and sunny, with September and October often the clearest days of the year. | Humpback and blue whales feed in the channel, a great time for a whale watch. Old Spanish Days Fiesta fills downtown with music, dancing, and parades. |
| September | 77°F 25°C | Warm, dry, and sunny, with September and October often the clearest days of the year. | Humpback and blue whales feed in the channel, a great time for a whale watch. Warm, clear days and the warmest ocean water of the year. |
| October | 75°F 24°C | Warm, dry, and sunny, with September and October often the clearest days of the year. | Warm, clear days and the warmest ocean water of the year. |
| November | 70°F 21°C | Pleasant and sunny, with cooler evenings and the first chance of rain. | Monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus groves at Ellwood Mesa in Goleta. |
| December | 65°F 18°C | Mild days, cool nights, and most of the year's rain. | Monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus groves at Ellwood Mesa in Goleta. Gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their migration. |
Questions families ask
Santa Barbara & Montecito with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara & Montecito with kids?
The best time is Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Warm, dry, and sunny, with September and October often the clearest days of the year.
What's the weather like in Santa Barbara & Montecito?
Typical daytime highs range from about 65°F (18°C) in January to about 78°F (26°C) in August. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for Santa Barbara & Montecito?
US citizens don't need a passport, but bring a government ID for adults.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for Santa Barbara & Montecito?
None. Santa Barbara & Montecito uses the same plugs as the US.
What's your top tip for Santa Barbara & Montecito with kids?
This is a layers place. Mornings can be gray and cool, especially in May and June, and afternoons warm up fast. I pack a hoodie for every child, every season.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.