Summer Destinations Series: Where to Go When School Gets Out
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — School ends soon, and the long stretch of summer freedom is about to begin. If you're wondering how to fill the days without breaking the bank or sitting in traffic for hours, some of the best summer destinations are already within reach. You don't need to book flights or plan elaborate vacations to discover something new. Sometimes a fresh perspective and the decision to slow down can help you see familiar places with different eyes.
This three-part guide focuses on destinations that work for families, seniors, couples and solo explorers, places where Simi Valley and Moorpark residents can create real memories without the stress of long-distance travel. The coast, the mountains, and the city all offer different kinds of escape.
Today we start with the obvious choice that never gets old: the coastline.
Santa Barbara: The American Riviera by Rail
One of the most relaxed ways to get to Santa Barbara is by train. Skip the freeway and let Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner do the work. The train pulls right into the heart of Santa Barbara, and from the station you're a short walk to State Street, the main drag that connects downtown to the water.
Don't be shy about being a tourist, even if you think you know the area well. The Santa Barbara Visitor Center sits at 120 State St., steps from the train station. Staff there offer free maps and a local magazine, plus help with hotel availability, wine tours, sunset cruises and whale-watching trips for visitors ready to dive deeper.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art at 1130 State St. houses collections that run from classical antiquities to Latin American photography. A short walk away in the Funk Zone, MOXI — The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation at 125 State St. — offers hands-on experiences built around tinkering, building and interactive science. Worth knowing about if you have kids who need something different than another day at the beach.
Down at the foot of State Street sits Stearns Wharf. According to the California State Parks Foundation, it was completed in 1872 and remains the oldest working wharf still operating in California. Walk it, even if you don't stop anywhere. The smell of salt air changes the moment you step onto the wood planks. The Sea Center at the end, operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, features interactive exhibits about Pacific marine life.
The Santa Barbara Zoo at 500 Ninos Drive offers another strong family option. It sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and is small enough to cover in a few hours without exhausting younger visitors.
For those who prefer to slow down and explore on foot, the downtown area rewards wandering. The red-tile roofs and white stucco buildings create the Mediterranean atmosphere that earned Santa Barbara its nickname, but the real discovery happens when you duck into side streets and find local cafes or browse shops that have nothing to do with chains or tourists.
Ventura County Coastline: Surf, Bike and Breathe
The stretch of coast from Malibu to Ventura serves as a natural air conditioner on hot summer days. Take a drive on PCH, pull over at a quiet cove, or spend the day at Zuma Beach in Malibu, where the sand is wide and the waves are reliable.
Further north, Ventura Pier, which at 1,700 feet ranks as one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast, is a great spot for fishing. No license required from the pier, and tackle shops nearby rent gear if you don't own any. Nearby San Buenaventura State Beach works well for surfing, picnicking and long walks.
Surfers' Point, on the western edge of Seaside Park on Harbor Boulevard, draws surfers of all levels when the swell is up, thanks to a reliable point break. The spot has history — it's been a local surf break for decades, and the community fought to preserve it when coastal erosion threatened access.
Paddling works best at Marina Park, 2950 Pierpont Blvd., where public ramps lead to calmer, more sheltered water. Early morning offers the best window, before onshore wind and chop fill in.
For aspiring sailors, the Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center, also at Marina Park, is a nonprofit certified by the U.S. Sailing Association that offers sailing courses for all skill levels. Classes run from basic seamanship to advanced racing techniques. Registration information is available at cityofventura.ca.gov.
For those longing to go for a bike ride, the Ojai Valley Bike Trail offers a paved path extending 9.5 miles north from Foster Park to Ojai, with mountain views throughout. The trail follows an old railroad grade, which keeps the elevation changes gentle. The Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail begins at San Buenaventura State Beach, follows the shoreline and joins Ventura's promenade past the historic pier for 4.1 miles. It connects to the Ojai Valley Trail for longer options.
Both trails accommodate families with younger riders, and bike rentals are available at several locations in Ventura if you don't want to haul your own equipment.
Ventura Harbor: A Vacation Within Reach
Ventura Harbor Village has this quality where even a four-hour stop feels like you actually went somewhere. The promenade moves at a different pace. Sailboat masts sway in the marina, restaurants serve fresh seafood, and boutiques carry things you haven't seen at the mall.
Ventura Boat Rentals, based at C Dock, rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats. Electric boats are available as well, and private charters for up to 42 passengers can be arranged. The harbor's protected waters make it an ideal spot for beginners to try paddling without worrying about surf or strong currents.
Live entertainment runs through the Village most weekends during summer months, from acoustic sets to small festivals that celebrate everything from art to seafood.
For families who want to venture further, the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center sits right at the harbor. The center itself offers free exhibits about the islands' unique ecosystem and maritime history. Island Packers runs guided Wildlife Cruises along the north shores of Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands, offering glimpses of marine life that can't be found anywhere else along the coast. The company operates year-round, but summer provides the calmest seas and best visibility.
The harbor also houses several restaurants where you can eat fresh fish caught by local boats. Brophy Bros. overlooks the water and has been a fixture since 1986. For more casual dining, the various food stands around the village offer fish tacos, ice cream, and other beach fare.
These coastal destinations offer the kind of summer experiences that don't require weeks of planning or expensive reservations. They're close enough for day trips, interesting enough for repeat visits, and flexible enough to work whether you have two hours or two days. The key is picking one place and giving it enough time to work its effect, rather than trying to hit every spot in a single outing.
Next week, Part Two will explore Los Angeles destinations that offer culture, entertainment and urban adventures, all accessible by train, car and metro from Simi Valley and Moorpark.
