Elings Park

Elings Park sits on a hilltop and has pretty views in all directions. Families gather here to watch their child's soccer game. Beside the soccer fields there is a small shady playground designed as a ship. Toddlers have a nice time exploring here. There is a larger playground among trees called Capello Playground, by the baseball fields. Rugged off-leash trails offer dog owners a place to bring fido for a long hike (one of these starts across from the park office).

You can drive up George Bliss Drive if there's no chain blocking it off. Halfway up the road, on your right, there's an area where weddings are held, with grassy knolls surrounding an oval-shaped lawn. Check out the great view of downtown from the far end. A paved memorial walk, which starts halfway up George Bliss Dr on the left, leads along the edge of the hillside. The names of Vietnam veterans are engraved in marble beside you as you walk. A statue of the globe set in the center of a circular sandstone bench interests children. The sweeping views overlooking the ocean and Hope Ranch are lovely. This walk can be very hot and dry though as there is no shade and the sun blasts down in the late afternoon. At the top of George Bliss Drive there are some nice picnic areas overlooking downtown. 
There is an Easter egg hunt held at Elings Park with music, bounce houses, face painting, and the Easter Bunny. It is on March 31, 2018, starting at 10am (bring five dollars for parking at this event). Another fun event is Mesa Music Nites, held once a month on a Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm from April to August, at the Singleton Pavilion. Admission is free. 
If you're hungry, you could eat by the sea at the cafe at Hendry's Beach. This is a great beach to go for a long walk and breathe in the sea air. Or you could head north on Las Positas Rd to Via Maestra 42 for an out-of-this-world yummy gelato or a gourmet Italian sandwich.

Directions

Elings Park is located at 1298 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara CA 93105, call (805) 569-5611.
Exit Highway 101 at Las Positas Rd and head toward the ocean. Go through a large intersection, past Portesuello Ave, past some tennis courts and then you will see the sign and the driveway for Elings Park on your left. Head up the long driveway to the parking lot at the top. There is an office where you can ask for a map of the park. The memorial walk starts halfway up George Bliss Dr.

Click on map for interactive view