Summerland, CA - A Perfect Day Trip for Families with Small Kids
These are the faces of two brothers doing a “cool” pose for the picture. LOL
If you drive up the coast on the 101 freeway, right before getting to Montecito, there’s a small city named Summerland. It was established in 1889 and belongs to Santa Barbara County. The last census figures reported it had a population of approximately 2,000 residents. It’s a tiny town that’s worth a visit and only a 30 min. drive from Oxnard.
To get to Summerland’s fun and eclectic Lillie Avenue (where all the best shops and restaurants are located), you need to exit on Evans Avenue and turn left on Ortega Hill Rd.
My family visited on a Sunday when the Mija Studios ladies had a booth at Summerland’s Farmer and the Flea (a monthly local artisan market with over 60 vendors. Note: Farmer and the Flea is currently on hold pending city agreements and other permit requirements).
Where to Shop
Farmer & The Flea (currently on pause but expected to start again soon)
2245 Lillie Ave.
Summerland, CA 93067
UPDATE: Farmer & The Flea will now be taking place in Santa Barbara but if you drive to the above-mentioned address, you’ll find a lot of great shops to enjoy in Summerland.
After shopping along Lillie Ave., we drove down the street and stopped for lunch at Field & Fort, a restaurant with a lovely outdoor dining space.
Where to eat
2580 Lillie Ave.
Summerland, CA 93067
The Roast Beef sandwich and the Chicken Tarragon salad here are soooo good. At one point, as we were enjoying our meal, Benny started messing with his little brother and he got in trouble. My husband told him he was not allowed to play video games. Benny started crying in the middle of the meal, but still managed to smile for the picture, watery eyes and all.
Up the street from Field & Fort, there is a gem of a location called the Sacred Space. It’s a lovely, tranquil hub of all things calming, healing and meditative. Even the boys (generally loud, rowdy, bratty and whiny) reached a peaceful level of smiles and good behavior.
The Sacred Space is the perfect respite. Plus, it has a lovely shop where you can buy healing stones, gorgeous gems and pretty plants. Our harmony vibration was at its peak by the time we left this peaceful place.
Must visit
The Sacred Space
2594 Lillie Ave.
Summerland, CA 93067
Across the street from the Sacred Space, along Lillie Ave, is a small lookout park. You have to climb a stairway and once you’re there, you can catch a gorgeous glimpse of the ocean. We let the kids run for a while and once they were tired, we headed back to Oxnard.
Summerland proved to be the perfect day trip for our little family.
Thanks for reading!
Xo,