Tomol Interpretive Play Area at the Carpinteria State Park on Linden Avenue

Directions: From Highway 101 heading north, exit at Casitas Pass and turn left (towards the ocean). Turn right onto Carpinteria Avenue and make a left onto the main strip at Linden Avenue.  Parking in the city lot is on your right before the train tracks — or continue on and make a left into Carpinteria State Beach parking lot.  If you are heading south on the 101, I believe you can just exit at Linden Avenue.  MAP TO TOMOL INTERPRETIVE PLAY AREA AND CARPINTERIA STATE BEACH

• The Carpinteria Morning Rotary Club deserves big kudos for taking a leading role in creating (over an 8 year period) and maintaining this great local playground. Read more about it and their work with California State Parks and others.
• It had one of the most unusual slides I’ve ever been on — with rollers like a conveyor belt.  I don’t have any photos posted, because kids were on it NON-STOP!  Adults weren’t big fans. I thought it was fun.
• Lots of learning opportunities: What’s the difference between a harbor seal and a sea lion? How did the Chumash build their housing?  How does an eagle build its nest? What animals live in a tidepool? What is a tomol? Can you find all the rock paintings? What do you think they mean?
• The 3-fer slide looks deceivingly short, but it’s bumpy/slippery/steep!
• I saw a little one year old playing almost exclusively by touching and hugging the seal, sea lion, and dolphin
• You can’t beat this central location within walking distance to the beach and state park restrooms
• Park at the State Park or in the city lot across the street near the train station
• This would make a perfect, walkable destination for train travel!
• Tons of great restaurants and funky little shops within walking distance
• “The Spot” looked like the place for burgers, although I didn’t get to try it.