“If children are to keep alive their inborn sense of wonder…they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with them the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” from Rachel Carson’s The Sense of Wonder.
Outdoor adventures have always been a way of life for me. Growing up in northwestern Connecticut, as a family, we hiked, skied, skated and bird-watched and with my friend we built forts and collected acorns. When I was 12 my family hiked to the top of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeast. I remember touching some patches of snow as the fog rolled in, feeling thankful we would spend the night in a warm hut. At 15 I went on an Outward Bound program where I slept in the woods under a tarp one night as my first solo adventure.

I was hooked. And, when I became a new parent more than 13 years ago, I immediately sought adventures for our family. Fortunately, local opportunities abound. If your kids are young or if outdoor adventures are new for you, the easiest way to start is to explore our local front country hiking trails. Most of our local bookstores sell trail maps and books with in-depth information about where to go and what to expect. Online SantaBarbaraHikes.com has a wealth of information, with current listings of local Sierra Club hikes while the Montecito Trails Foundation (www.montecitotailsfoundation.org) offers Saturday morning hikes at 8:30am. Other informative web-sites can be found at www.santabarbarahikes.com and www.santabarbaratrailguide.com.

One of the first places to start could be the well-marked trails at the Botanic Gardens. They offer a family activity book called Nature Loves a Detective, where families can follow the 45-minute Canyon Trail to uncover clues and solve a mystery, and at the same time learn about the native plants and wildlife that inhabit the gardens.
For a less guided outing, set out on one of the dozens of trails in the Santa Barbara foothills. Some well-maintained routes include Cold Spring, Romero Canyon, Jesuita and Tunnel Trails – but remember to bring some water and a snack or plan a longer day with a picnic lunch. Bring along a guidebook and binoculars and teach your kids to look for various creatures; they may encounter a banana slug or salamander or even hear the screech of a red-tailed hawk overhead.

On the Wall
For the thrill-seekers in the family, try a morning of climbing at one of the local climbing walls. Climbing is a sport that can excite the entire family and can provide a full body work-out. It is also good for athletes and non-athletes. Often kids who may not be particularly interested in team sports gravitate toward climbing. It’s a sport that emphasizes coordination, problem-solving and accomplishment.
Kids are welcome and encouraged to test the exhilaration of climbing at Santa Barbara Outfitters on State Street. A 15-foot wall was designed with over 500 holds and continuously changing routes. Owners Mark and Luisa Hyatt can customize climbing packages, especially for elementary school-aged children. “The kids can experience the thrill of reaching for various holds with the safety of a cushioned floor mat…the climbing wall also benefits small motor skills,” said Luisa Hyatt.
A 35-foot climbing structure with over 30 roped routes will entice the entire family at Goleta Valley Athletic Club (GVAC) which offers day passes and birthday party packages. In addition, a bouldering wall showcases over 65 moves including challenging, over-hanging areas for endurance and strength training. GVAC specializes in smaller groups and can individually tailor a program to meet any skill level.
For the crème de la crème of climbing experiences, try UCSB Adventure Center’s 30-foot wall with room for more than 17 climbers at a time. It is the largest climbing wall on the West Coast and is open to the entire Santa Barbara community. The 3,200 square foot space is dramatic. I have watched my boys touch the top while I have only managed to make it about two-thirds of the way before I look down and decide I am too high. It is definitely a thrill to put on the harness and have the auto-belay line clipped in. Kids love it when their parents try something new, and conquering your own fears, while simultaneously introducing your children to the adventure, rewards and confidence that come with accomplishment.

In the Sky
When my son was six, he was intrigued by the paragliders and hang-gliders who flew high above our house. He was curious about how the wings and the wind worked together. One Father’s Day, I surprised my family with a morning at Elings Park and the flying experience of a lifetime.
Tandem paragliding, available through Eagle Paragliding and Fly Above All Paragliding, ranks high on my list of unique adventures where you can feel the adrenaline energize every nerve and muscle in your body. I have my son to thank for inspiring me to make the call. He was also the first to don the paraphernalia and join the instructor for his first tandem flight. I held my breath as he and the instructor ran down the hill waiting for the wind to catch them and lift them, and marveled as they soared above Hendry’s Beach. What a perfect moment to fly as high as the seagulls and see the Channel Islands stretching out along the horizon.

On the Water
Sure, you can take the kids to the beach and watch them boogie board or build sand castles, but why not consider a kayaking trip or surfing lessons?
Kayaking is a premiere Santa Barbara adventure. Many shops offer equipment rentals including Aquatics, Paddle Sports and Santa Barbara Water Sports. They can deliver your gear right to the beach and retrieve it after your trip, though consider hiring an instructor from one of these shops to take you on your tour.
Kayaking can be done in pairs or singles and can take you past the buoys where sea lions congregate and dolphins dance along side the boats. The paddles create a mesmerizing rhythm as you catch the vistas of the mountains and the islands that make Santa Barbara a paradise.

I have experienced myriad adventures in my life, but until recently, I had never attempted to surf. With the ocean as our backyard, why had I neglected this sparkling sport? Simply, put, out of fear. If my family can ski together, why not surf together?
Surfing lessons abound for kids starting as young as four or five. Every area surf shop from Carpinteria to Goleta can equip a family including Rincon Design, A Frame Surf Shop, the Beach House, Channel Island Surf Shop and Surf Country.
I attempted my first family surf lesson with the owner of Surf Happens, Chris Keets. We met at Padaro Beach for a morning to learn about the philosophy, history, science and techniques of surfing. After practicing a few stances and moves on our soft boards on the beach, we were finally set to test the waves. We all paddled out beyond the waves. Chris commented on our dry hair and told us it was time to practice our turtle rolls. I gripped the board with both hands as I was plunged under water and back again. Then with my toes pointed to the back of the board and my hands in position for the first wave, I felt Chris push the board forward. As the board and I were heading toward shore, I stood up and actually balanced – for a very brief moment. I watched the boys stand and then topple through five or six waves. With smiles on our faces, we finished the afternoon with plans for a few more lessons in our future.