By LESLIE DINABERG
South Coast Beacon
When one person gives advice, you can take it or leave it. But when
hundreds of people chime in on the best places to spend your time, and
your money … well, it just makes sense to perk up your ears.
So listen up -- and even take notes if you need to -- these are the
first annual Parent's Choice Award winners, brought to you by SBParent.com,
N.E.W. (Network of Enterprising Women), and the South Coast Beacon.
Birthday and Shower Invitations
Winner: Paper Ink
3325 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.3580
Honorable Mention: Glenda's Party Cove
3319 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.4500
Whether you're looking to create your own invitations, or buy them
off the rack, Paper Ink has everything you could possibly need to announce
the festivities. And honorable mention winner Glenda's Party Cove is
just a few steps away.
Holiday Cards
Winner: Costco
7095 Market Place Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
685.4461
With bargain prices on both photo cards and traditional boxed sets,
it's no wonder that Costco's a local favorite.
Honorable Mention: P J's Hallmark Shop
6990 Market Place Dr.
Goleta, CA 93117
685.5588
Birthday Supplies and Favors
Glenda's Party Cove and Pacific Company were tied for first place. Luckily
for you, they're both located in Loreto Plaza, just a few doors down
from one another.
Winner: Glenda's Party Cove
3319 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.4500
Winner: Pacific Company
3309 State St. #A
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.9552
Place to Host a Birthday
Winner: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center
3888 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
563.7336
www.my-gym.com
With an all-inclusive package that provides everything but the cake,
My Gym is a great choice for busy parents with active kids.
Honorable Mention: local parks
Visit www.santabarbaraca.gov/Parks/ for information on facilities and
rental availability for Santa Barbara City Parks and www.sbparks.org/
for Santa Barbara County Parks information.
Best Birthday Cakes
Winner: Costco
7095 Market Place Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
685.4461
Honorable Mention: Anna's Bakery
7018 Market Place Dr.
Goleta, CA 93117
968.5590
For a big party, there's no better value in town than Parent's Choice
winning Costco cake. Honorable Mention winner Anna's Bakery, just across
the parking lot at Camino Real Marketplace) is known for its creative
decorations (the big wave surfing cake is a favorite) and having a wide
variety of confections.
Babysitter
Grandma and Grandpa were the winners in this category, hands-down. However,
if you're not lucky enough to have grandparents in town, some of the
other sitters mentioned were: Christin Allrich, Yolanda Espinoza, Erin
Feeney, Jessica Fink , Kayla Howard-Anderson, Lauren Klapp, Caitlin
Leff, Sara Martinovich , Christina Palacio, Pamela Palacio, Sloan Pettersen,
Stacy Radujko, Nicole Richardson, Corrigan Speicher , Christina Villalovos,
Sierra Young, Kristi Ware and Beth Williams.
Preschool
Winner: Circle of Friends Children's Center
400 Puente Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
692.8516
A perennial favorite among local parents, Circle of Friends is also
known for having really fun fundraisers.
Honorable Mention: The Oaks Parent-Child Workshop
Director - Marilyn Statucki
605 W. Junipero St.
Santa Barbara. CA 93105
682.7609
Elementary School
Winner: Foothill Elementary School
711 Ribera Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
681.1268
www.foothill.goleta.k12.ca.us/
Honorable Mention: Hope Elementary School
3970 La Colina Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
563.2974
www.sbceo.org/~hope/
Pediatrician
Not unexpectedly, given their longevity in town, the Children's Medical
Clinic dominated this category, with Dr. David Abbott (father) and Dr.
Steven Abbott (son) coming out in first and second places. Sometimes
it pays to go into the family business.
Winner: Dr. David Abbott
Children's Medical Clinic
15 E. Arrellaga St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.1095
Honorable Mention: Dr. Steven Abbott
Children's Medical Clinic
15 E. Arrellaga St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.1095
Honorable Mention: Dr. Gerard Brewer
2421 Bath St., Suite B
Santa Barbara, 93105
682.7771
Pediatric Dentist
Winner: Dr. Robert Ruby & Dr. Yvonne Rochon
15 E. Arrellaga St. Suite 4
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
963.4404
Honorable Mention: Dr. Steven Mascagno
2780 State St., Suite 5
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.4141
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first
dental visit be by the time he is a year old. By age 3, the average
child has three decayed teeth -- and that is with only 50% of children
seeing a dentist -- so the earlier the better to prevent problems before
they occur, said Dr. Marc Grossman.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Winner: Dr. Margaret Echt
2329 Oak Park Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.8166
Honorable Mention: Dr. Susanne Ramos
Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic
515 W. Pueblo St.
Santa Barbara, 93105
681.8911
Honorable Mention: Dr. Ayesha Shaikh
2323 Oak Park Lane, Suite 202
Santa Barbara, 93105
687.5500
Occupational/Physical Therapist
Winner: Dr. Mark Brisby
5638 Hollister Ave., Suite 301
Goleta, CA 93117
681.7273
Family Therapist/Psychologist
Winner: Michael Madden
23 W. Mission St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
569.2272
Holistic Health Care
Winner: Maes Center for Natural Health Care
9 E. Mission St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
563.8660
www.maescenter.com
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Center for Natural Medicine
34 E. Sola St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
966.3003
www.sbcnm.com
Child Friendly Restaurants
Winner: California Pizza Kitchen
719 Paseo Nuevo (on Chapala St.)
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
962.4648
www.cpk.com
Honorable Mention: Beach Grill at Padaro
3765 Santa Claus Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
566.3900
Honorable Mention: Red Robin
3825 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.4000
www.redrobin.com
California Pizza Kitchen has great kids meals, with sundaes as a special
treat. You can't beat the view - or the sandbox - at the Beach Grill
at Padaro, and you can't beat the bar at Red Robin.
Grocery Store
A lot of people discovered Trader Joe's when the big chains went on
strike last year, and apparently the appetite for well-priced, high-quality,
health-conscious food has stuck.
Winner: Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's (Goleta)
5767 Calle Real
Goleta, CA 93117
692.2234
Trader Joe's (Santa Barbara North)
3025 De La Vina
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
563.7383
Trader Joe's (Santa Barbara South)
29 South Milpas St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 564-7878
www.traderjoes.com
Honorable Mention: Vons
1040 Coast Village Road (Montecito)
34 W. Victoria St. (Santa Barbara)
163 S. Turnpike Rd. (Santa Barbara)
3855 State St. (Santa Barbara)
165 N. Fairview Ave. (Goleta)
850 Linden Ave. (Carpinteria)
Grocery Delivery
A godsend for new parents who often have a hard time getting into the
shower in those early weeks, let alone getting into the car, grocery
delivery is fast becoming a way of life for many on the South Coast.
Winner: www.Albertsons.com
Health Food Store
Winner: Lazy Acres Market
302 Meigs Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
564.4410
www.lazyacres.com
Honorable Mention: Lassen's Health Foods
5154 Hollister Ave,
Goleta, CA 93117
683.7696
Take-out Meals
Winner: Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch (Santa Barbara)
2618 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
569-1872
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch (Goleta)
63 North Fairview Ave. (in the Fairview Shopping Center)
Goleta, CA 93117
569.1872
www.sbchickenranch.com
Honorable Mention: Fresco
3987 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
967.6037
Childbirth Classes
Winner: Cottage Health System
Both Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (682.7111) and Goleta Valley Cottage
Hospital (967.3411) childbirth classes had plenty of fans.
New Parent Classes
Winner: PEP- Baby Basics
Postpartum Education for Parents
564.3888
www.sbpep.org
Honorable Mention: Infant Times
Taught by Laura Sobell
Santa Barbara City College Adult Education
300 N. Turnpike Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
964.6853
Parent Support Groups
Winner: PEP
Postpartum Education for Parents
564.3888
www.sbpep.org
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Parents of Multiples
www.santabarbaramoms.org/
Diaper Services
Winner: Enviro-Baby
2445 Murrell Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
967.5370
www.enviro-baby.com
Advertising that they've saved more than 574,276 diapers from Santa
Barbara landfills as of Feb. 1, Enviro-Baby provides weekly pickup and
delivery of cotton diapers, as well as odorless diaper pails.
Doulas and Nurses
Winner: Kitty Maxwell
682.5606
Art Supplies
Winner: Art Essentials
32 E. Victoria St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.5456
Honorable Mention: Michaels Arts and Crafts
187 North Fairview Ave.
Goleta, CA 93117
967.7119
www.michaels.com
Toys
Winner: Kernohans
Kernohans (Goleta)
5739 Calle Real
Goleta, CA 93117
964.6499
Kernohans (Santa Barbara)
1324 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
687.3777
www.kernohanstoys.com
Honorable Mention: KB Toys
136 S. Hope Ave #47 (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.6026
Honorable Mention: Toyland
3821 Santa Claus Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
684.3515
Educational Materials
Winner: Bennett's Educational Materials
5130 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
964.8998
www.bennettseducational.com
Maternity Clothes
Winner: Due Maternity
1223 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
966.4400
www.duematernity.com
Honorable Mention: Motherhood Maternity
121 S. Hope Ave. (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.7040
Kid's Clothes
Winner: Gymboree Clothing
3815 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.7773
www.gymboree.com
Honorable Mention: The Gap Kids
617 Paseo Nuevo
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
899.9124
Kid's Shoes
Winner: Nordstrom
17 W. Canon Perdido St. (in Paseo Nuevo)
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
564.8770
www.nordstroms.com
Honorable Mention: Payless Shoe Stores
627 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
962.2866
197 S. Turnpike Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
683.1861
Used Kid's Clothes and Toys
Winner: Polar Bear
726 Anacapa St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.6637
Honorable Mention: Replay
2945 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
569.1313
Kid's Sports Equipment
Winner: Play it Again Sports
4850 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
967.9889
www.playitagainsports.com
Honorable Mention: Sportmart
7035 Marketplace Dr.
Goleta, CA 93117
968.8551
Baby Furniture/Equipment
Winner: Baby Furniture & Accessories Santa Barbara
1936 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
682.7517
Honorable Mention: Chicken Little
1236 State St.
Santa Barbara, 93101
962.7771
Children's Furniture
Winner: Hopscotch Fine Furnishings
110 South Hope Road (in La Cumbre Plaza)
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
730.1007
www.hopscotch.com
Honorable Mention: Baby Furniture & Accessories Santa Barbara
1936 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
682.7517
Bookstore for Kids
Winner: Chaucer's Books
3321 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.4067
www.chaucers.booksense.com
Honorable Mention: Border's Books, Music & Café
900 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
899.3668
7000 Marketplace Dr.
Goleta, CA 93117
968.1370
Kid's Haircuts
Winner: Kids Cuts
4317 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
681.9596
With a child's dream playroom full of toys and videos, there's no need
to be nervous about your baby's first haircut. The only difficult thing
about Kids Cuts is getting your kids to leave.
Honorable Mention: Tortoise and the Hare
1221 State St. #4 in Victoria Court
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
963.3393
Scrapbook Supplies
Winner: Santa Barbara Scrapbooks
918 Chapala St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
962.5099
www.sbscrapbooks.com
Not only does Santa Barbara Scrapbooks offer everything you need to
preserve your family's memories, it now offers free Mommy and Me memory
classes as well as kid's scrapbooking classes for a nominal fee.
Honorable Mention: Michaels Arts and Crafts
187 North Fairview Ave.
Goleta, CA 93117
967.7119
www.michaels.com
Family Photographer
Winner: Brad Elliot
565.6052
Place to get Car Seat Checked
Winner: California Highway Patrol
6465 Calle Real
Goleta, CA 93117
967.1234
Outdoor Fitness / Health Clubs
Winner: YMCA
Santa Barbara Family YMCA
36 Hitchcock Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
687.7727
Montecito Family YMCA
591 Santa Rosa Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
969.3288
www.ymca.com
Honorable Mention: Moms in Motion
http://momsinmotion.com/
Place to Volunteer with Kids
Winner: Unity Shoppe
1219 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.4122
www.unityshoppe.org
Kids Parade
Winner: Fiesta Children's Parade
Honorable Mention: PEP Halloween Parade
Hiking Trail with Kids
Winner: Rattlesnake Canyon
To reach the trailhead for the Rattlesnake Canyon Trial, exit the 101
Freeway at Mission in Santa Barbara. Follow the signs to the Mission
and from there, proceed north on Mission Canyon Road to Foothill Road
and turn right. Make a quick left, once again onto Mission Canyon Road,
and take it to Las Canoas Road and turn right. Take Las Canoas about
1-1/2 miles, look for a wide turnout near the second stone bridge and
park your car along side the road.
Honorable Mention: Jesusita Trail
To reach the top of the trail, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission Street,
head northeast to Foothill Road and turn right. Turn left on Tunnel
Road and take it to the trailhead. Beyond the gate look for signage
for Inspiration Point and Jesusita Trail.
Annual Family Event
Winner: Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Get ready for this year's festivities at the annual costume sale on
May 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carriage Museum. For more information
call Mally Sneddon at 964.7650.
Honorable Mention: Summer Solstice
Places to Take a Field Trip
Winner: Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
962.5339 x26
www.santabarbarazoo.org
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.4711
www.sbnature.org
Honorable Mention: UCSB Marine Science Institute
893.3765
www.msi.ucsb.edu
Beach
Winner: Goleta Beach Park
5986 Sandspit Road
Goleta, CA 93117
967.1300
Park/Playground: TODDLER
Winner: Hidden Valley
This park, at Calle de Los Amigos and Torino Drive, is tailor-made for
toddlers, with lawn, barbeque facilities and a great little playground,
plus over 15 acres of creekside foliage and wildlife accessed by a walking
path. The only downside: there's no bathroom.
Honorable Mention: Willowglen Park
600 Willowglen Road
Honorable Mention: La Mesa Park
At Cliff Drive and Meigs Road
Honorable Mention: Chase Palm Park
East Cabrillo Boulevard at Garden Street
Honorable Mention: Hilda McIntyre Ray Neighborhood Park
1400 Kenwood Dr.
Honorable Mention: Goleta Beach Park
5986 Sandspit Road
Goleta, CA 93117
967.1300
Park/Playground: PRESCHOOL
Winner: Kids World
Located in downtown Santa Barbara at Garden and Micheltorena Streets,
this park is a favorite for elementary school kids too, with whimsical
community art contributions throughout the playground.
Honorable Mention: Chase Palm Park
This 10-acre facility on East Cabrillo Boulevard features fountains,
creeks, a lagoon, carousel, snack bar and a Shipwreck Playground modeled
after an ocean schooner from the turn of the century. The city-sponsored
free Summer Concert series is also a favorite for families.
Camp 3-6 year olds
Winner: Zoo Camp (Santa Barbara Zoo)
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
962.5339 x48
www.santabarbarazoo.org
Honorable Mention: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center
3888 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
563.7336
www.my-gym.com
Camp 6-12 year olds
Winner: Westmont Sports Camp (at Westmont College)
Westmont Summer Camps
955 La Paz Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
565.6010
www.westmont.edu/sports/summer_camps/camps.html
Honorable Mention: UCSB Camps
UCSB Department of Recreation
893.3913
www.par.ucsb.edu/youthprog/youthprog.html
Overnight Camp
Winner: YMCA Camp Arbolado
562.943.7241
www.ymcawhittier.org
Best Parent & Child Class
It was a tie between Kindermusik and My Gym, both of which offer great
parent participation sessions for young children.
Winner: Kindermusik
1213 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
884.4009
www.kindermusik.com
Winner: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center
3888 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
563.7336
www.my-gym.com
Afterschool Program
Winner: Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
531 E. Ortega St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
963.4017
www.girlsincsb.org
Honorable Mention: Creative Arts Inc.
681.1200
www.creativeartsinc.org
Sports Programs
Winner: AYSO Soccer
Goleta -- 685.6806
Santa Barbara -- 687.4134
www.soccer.org
Honorable Mention: Blaze Water Polo
Directors Beth Tompkins (637.0250) and Cathy Schreier (637.2040)
www.blazewaterpolo.com/
Tutoring Program
Winner: Dublin Learning Center
112 W. Cota St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
926.7122
Art Program
Arts Alive! a newcomer on the arts scene, and the Santa Barbara Museum
of Art's Ridley-Tree education program tied for the best children's
art program. Both offer a wide variety of well-loved classes for budding
artists.
Winner: Arts Alive! Dance and Creativity Center
1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
963.2278
www.artsalivesb.com
Winner: Ridley-Tree Education Center at McCormick House
1600 Santa Barbara St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
926.1661
Cooking Classes for Kids
Winner: Healthy Cooking with Kids
683.2525
www.healthycookingwithkids.com
Dance Classes
Winner: Gustafson Dance
322 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
965.6690
www.gustafsondance.com
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Jazz & Dance Academy
www.sbjda.com/company.html
Gymnastics Program
Winner: The Spirals Gymnastic Foundation
Robertson Gymnasium
University of California, Santa Barbara
968.2453
www.spiralsgymnastics.org
Honorable Mention: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center
3888 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
563.7336
www.my-gym.com
Science & Marine Program
Winner: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.4711
www.sbnature.org
Etiquette Program
Winner: Mind Your Manners
565.4149
www.mindyourmanners.biz
Swim Lessons
Winner: Wendy Fereday Swim School
964.7818
Honorable Mention: Wilson Swimming
964.7795
Water Sports Program
Winner: Blaze Water Polo
Directors Beth Tompkins (637.0250) and Cathy Schreier (637.2040)
www.blazewaterpolo.com/
Honorable Mention: UCSB Surf & Kayak Camp
893.3913
www.par.ucsb.edu/youthprog/surfcamp.html
Tennis Programs
Winner: Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club
5800 Cathedral Oaks Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
964.7762
www.calwestgroup.com/coac
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation classes
www.sbparksandrecreation.com
Best Travel Agent
Winner: AAA Travel Agency
3712 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
682.5811
www.aaa-calif.com
Best Local Hotel for Families
Winner: Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel
1260 Channel Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
969.2261
www.fourseasons.com
Check out the "Kids for All Seasons Program," a complimentary
service, where you can leave your child with counselors to dine at "The
Raft" (poolside cafe) and do arts and crafts, games, and swimming.
Friday night date nights are also available, where parents can leave
their children to watch movies.
Honorable Mention: Harbor View Inn
28 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
963.0780
Honorable Mention: Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
564.4333
Can't get enough? Look for more in-depth profiles of some of the Parent's
Choice Award-winning businesses in upcoming issues of the South Coast
Beacon.
Did we miss anything? If there are categories you would like to see
next year, or awards that you just plain disagree with, let us know
by emailing opinion@scbeacon.com.
Special thanks to the following vendors who donated prizes for our drawing:
This Little Piggy Wears Cotton - My Gym - SB Axxess Book - Ty Warner
Sea Center - Books - Pizza Mizza - Jelly Photography - Due Maternity
- Artesia Spa - Serafina
