Summer is a great time to see our wonderful city through the eyes of the many tourists that come here to vacation every year. Despite the June gloom weather that seems to be continuing into July, there are still so many ways to take the kids out and have fun exploring Santa Barbara.

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Looking for a FUN DATE NIGHT idea or a GIRLS NIGHT OUT? There are some great summer adult only events such as Fiesta Ranchera (Stow House), Nights (SB Museum of Art), and Dignatarios (SB Zoo-part of Old Spanish Days). Cupcake Camp promises to be a fun benefit for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. Joan Armatrading is just one of the fine musicians featured at the Lobero this summer.

CONCERTS, MOVIES & PLAYS... Summer offers fun weekly local concerts - Concerts in the Park kicked off last Thursday and Music at the Ranch at the Stow House begins Tuesday and goes into August. Keep your eyes out this September and October for a new weekly jazz series at La Cumbre Plaza.
Zoovies outdoor movie nights kick off next Wednesday and we also now have a drive-in theatre right here in Goleta. PCPA Theaterfest in Solvang has a great summer line up including West Side Story. We have been highlighting some great productions from local summer camps which offer an affordable way to expose your kids to theater.

SUMMER ATHLETICS... the SB Foresters games make a great family outing, and if you all want to get moving, you can consider the weekly Nite Moves or Reef & Run.

MUSEUMS... The SB Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit for summer - The Robot Zoo. The Ty Warner Sea Center features their Superpowers! exhibit. The SB Historical Museum just opened a new Colin Campbell exhibit... Other local museums include the Goleta Valley Historical Society (Stow House), Ocean Studio & Gallery, the Reagan Ranch Center, SB Botanic Garden, SB Contemporary Arts Forum, SB Historical Museum, SB Maritime Museum, SB Museum of Art, SB Trust for Historic Preservation, and the South Coast Railroad Museum.
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EDITOR'S FAVORITES...

Julie: As far as summer events, we absolutely love 4th of July at Stow House, Fireworks at Girsh and Fiesta highlights include the pancake breakfast and Children's Parade. We also enjoy the PCPA Theatrefest in Solvang, Stow House Music at the Ranch, the new drive-in or bargain Tuesdays at Metropolitan Theaters. For outings we enjoy apricot picking to make homemade cobbler, bike rides to the beach, library or Cold Stone, and of course, going to our very favorite beach; Hendry's (Arroyo Burro)!

Irene: My kids love trips to the beach or parks, Cold Stone Creamery, and taking advantage of Zodo's Bowling summertime deals. Saturday morning golf lessons are another favorite. Summer isn't complete without at least one trip each to the Zoo, Sea Center, SB Museum of Natural History, Art from Scrap, and the Maritime Museum. I just bought a $12 UCSB parking pass that is good for nights and weekends for one month- that will cover my parking for swimming at the Rec Cen (after 5pm) the free classic horror movies through Arts & Lectures that begin tonight with Dracula, and Saturdays visiting the REEF touchtanks & Campus Point Beach.

Rachael: We love all of the evening outings... Stow House Music at the Ranch, Concerts in the Park, Zoovies, drive-in movies, PCPA Theatrefest and in the Fall the La Cumbre Family Flicks. Our kids do a variety of camps every summer because it is such a great time to try new activities. This year was their first time as junior counselors at Safety Town and this will be a new tradition since they loved the experience about as much as when they were the campers. We take advantage of the Waterfront Parking Pass that is a great deal and gives us access to all of the beach lots and the harbor all year long. Our date night favorites are Fiesta Ranchera at Stow House and the Dignatarios at the Zoo.

Have fun exploring!

West Beach and Oak Park Wading Pools Opened Tuesday, July 6th

The City of Santa Barbara's Parks & Recreation Department has good news for parents and their young children this summer. Both of the City's wading pools will be open for free swim for youth 7 and under beginning Tuesday, July 6 through Monday, August 20.

The West Beach Wading Pool, located next to Los Baños Pool at 401 Shoreline Drive, will open thanks to a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise. West Beach pool hours are Monday-Friday from 12noon-4pm. The Oak Park Wading Pool at 300 W. Alamar Ave., has been repaired and will be open starting July 6, Monday-Friday from 12noon-5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm.

Both wading pools are staffed by City lifeguards; however, children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible person 18 years or older. Children must wear bathing suits and those not potty-trained must wear approved swim diapers.

FREE SWIM is also available for children ages 13 and under at the Ortega Park Pool, 600 N. Salsipuedes Street, from July 1-August 20, weekdays from 1:30-3pm.All ages may swim for a fee ($1 child/$4 adult) at Los Baños Pool, Monday-Saturday from 2:15-3:45pm. The pool is closed for swim meets on July 2-4 and July 10.

All City pools have been recently updated to comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. For more information on swim programs and pool hours, please call 966-6110.

~submitted by City of SB Parks and Recreation

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