Padaro Beach Grill, Carpinteria

Walking into Padaro Beach Grill, you feel you've entered kiddie heaven! And kiddie heaven is parent heaven as far as I'm concerned! Eat your food in peace (for a change) while your kids play happily in the giant sand box. On weekends there are so many other kids here that your child will be entertained for hours. It's like eating at a cousin's backyard party, but no one has to cook!

It's so pleasant to sit out on the wooden picnic tables, listen to the ocean (which is a few feet away over the hedge), and sip a drink. Wow! You can even have a real conversation with your spouse- at least, one that lasts longer than 5 minutes without interruption.
Zoom! Don't be alarmed when the train whizzes right by your table. Yes, it's a few feet away! But a hedge keeps children away from it, and children love to watch a train up close.
If you want to see the ocean, sit on the raised deck, though kids aren't allowed here. 
A wonderful beach nearby where you can take a stroll or swim in summer is Santa Claus Lane Beach. It has the warmest water you'll find around here, so enjoy!
Other nice spots in Carpinteria are: Downtown Carpinteria, with its laidback beachtown feel; El Carro Park with its great playground and gorgeous mountain views; Carpinteria Beach and Tar Pits, a beach with roaring waves and real tar pits that are very cool to see; and Carpinteria Seal Rookery, where baby seals are born and nurtured by their mothers in a protected cove.

Directions

Take the Santa Claus Lane exit from Highway 101 southbound. Continue straight along Santa Claus Ln. The restaurant will be on your right. Park along the road.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Padaro Lane. Turn left on Padaro Lane and then left on Santa Claus Lane. The restaurant will be on your right after you drive past the beach.
Padaro Beach Grill, 3765 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria CA 93013, call (805) 566-9800.
Parking can be difficult so come early.
Open for lunch and dinner.

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