Arrive and settle into your accommodation—unpack, change the toddlers into comfy clothes, and take a short walk around the neighborhood to stretch legs after the drive. If you arrive early, pop over to The Park at Riverwalk for a gentle stroller-friendly stroll along the Kern River and a visit to the playground so little ones can burn off travel energy.
Have a relaxed lunch at Wool Growers Restaurant for a family-friendly meal or try the casual Bakersfield Farm-to-Fork spots near downtown. Afterward, visit the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science for a short, toddler-friendly exhibit (dinosaur bones and small displays are great for curious little ones) or head to the California Living Museum (CALM) to see native animals and enjoy easy walking paths and a shaded picnic area.
Keep the evening low-key with an early dinner at a kid-friendly spot like Luigi's or Peggy Sue's to accommodate nap schedules, then return to your lodging for a calm bedtime routine. If everyone still has energy, take a quiet drive to display lights in a nearby residential area or enjoy a short family game or story time in your room to unwind and prepare for the next day's drive to Pismo Beach.
After breakfast in Bakersfield, set out on the roughly 2-hour drive to Pismo Beach with favorite snacks and a change of clothes for the toddlers; plan a mid-morning stop in Paso Robles for a quick stretch and a restroom break at Barney Schwartz Park. Once you arrive in Pismo, check into your lodging and head down to Pismo State Beach for a gentle stroller-friendly walk on the sand and some shell-collecting — the wide, flat shoreline is perfect for little feet and short, easy exploration.
After a picnic lunch or a casual meal at Old West Cinnamon Rolls or Splash Cafe (famous for its clam chowder, with kid-friendly options), drive a short distance to the Pismo Monarch Butterfly Grove in nearby Pismo Preserve or the adjacent grove if the butterflies are present in season; toddlers often enjoy the colors and the calm setting, plus there’s room to roam. If the grove is quiet, substitute a visit to the Pismo Pier and nearby playground so the kids can climb and watch surfers while you relax with coastal views.
Keep the evening mellow with an early dinner at a family-friendly spot like Ventana Grill or a beachfront pizza place, then stroll the pier at sunset to watch the sky change—an easy, soothing way to wind down. Return to your accommodation for bedtime routines; if energy remains, read a seaside-themed story together or play quietly on the room’s balcony to end the day calmly before tomorrow’s more leisurely Pismo/Avila exploring.
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at Mersea or Old West Cinnamon Rolls, then head to the Pismo Pier for a gentle stroll—toddlers love watching birds, boats and the surfers below while parents enjoy ocean views. After a short walk, let little ones burn off energy at the nearby Dinosaur Caves Park (playground and open lawn) or the small play area at Pismo State Beach for safe, sandy exploration.
After an easy picnic lunch or a casual meal at Splash Café, take the short drive north to Avila Beach for a calm, stroller-friendly promenade along the waterfront and a visit to the Avila Valley Barn if the kids enjoy animals and tractor rides; its petting area and seasonal treats are a big hit with toddlers. If everyone needs a bit of nature time, choose the gentle southern end of Bob Jones City to Sea Trail for a short, shaded stroll with easy paths and creekside scenery.
Return to Pismo for a relaxed sunset on the wide beach or a slow walk along the pier, then have an early family dinner at a beachfront pizzeria or Ventana Grill for kid-friendly options and ocean views. Finish the evening back at your lodging with a warm bath and a seaside story to keep bedtime calm and ready the family for the drive up the coast to Santa Barbara tomorrow.
After a relaxed breakfast in Pismo, enjoy the scenic ~1.5-2 hour drive up Highway 101 to Santa Barbara with a potty/stretch stop in Guadalupe or Santa Maria; arrive mid-morning and check into your hotel. Start with a gentle visit to the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf — toddlers will love watching boats, seabirds, and the small aquarium on the wharf while parents take in the ocean views and grab a coffee or snack.
Have a casual lunch at the Wharf or a family-friendly spot on State Street, then head to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf for hands-on tidepool displays and touch tanks that are perfect for little explorers. If kids need to run, spend the later afternoon at nearby Shoreline Park or the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, both offering easy stroller paths, lawns and playground areas for calm, supervised play.
Keep the evening mellow with an early dinner at a kid-friendly waterfront restaurant like Brophy Bros. or La Super-Rica Taqueria (for a casual, tasty option), then take a slow sunset stroll along East Beach so toddlers can feel the sand and you can enjoy the view of the Channel Islands. Return to your lodging for a warm bath and a quiet bedtime—consider a seaside-themed story to close the day and rest up for a full day of Santa Barbara highlights tomorrow.
Pack a relaxed breakfast at your hotel or grab pastries and coffee from Dune Coffee Roasters before a gentle morning at the Santa Barbara Zoo — its compact layout, kid-friendly animal exhibits, and the little train ride are perfect for toddlers and won’t feel overwhelming. If you prefer something quieter, stroll the palm-lined East Beach path so little ones can play in the sand while you soak up last views of the Channel Islands and take family photos.
Have a casual lunch on State Street (try Cajun Kitchen or a family-friendly café) then spend the afternoon at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf — both offer hands-on exhibits and short visit times ideal for young attention spans. If you’re preparing to head home or onward, leave time for an easy stop at the Santa Barbara Public Market for snacks and last-minute local treats, and a final slow walk along the Harbor to unwind before departure.
If your travel schedule allows a final dinner, choose a relaxed harbor-side spot like Brophy Bros. to enjoy seafood and harbor views while toddlers watch boats and seabirds; otherwise opt for an early takeout picnic on the beach to keep bedtime routines smooth. Finish the day with a calm bedtime routine back at your lodging — a warm bath and a favorite story will help little ones settle before your drive or onward travel the next day.