1 / 2Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary
📍 Summerland, CA
Nonprofit rescue sanctuary housing 50+ companion parrots in tropical gardens 3.5 miles south of Santa Barbara. Docent-led tours and behind-the-scenes experiences available. Interactive birds that dance and engage with visitors.
If you love birds, especially parrots, you have to check out this place! Beautiful amazing birds in cages with stories telling you about each one. So wonderful there is a place to take care of these birds, some of which had previous traumatic experiences. The birds are very interactive especially when we turned on some dance music, hilarious! Only $15, and even a Groupon for cheaper, although definitely worth it to donate more.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Animal-loving families with children of any age will find this sanctuary genuinely engaging — the birds' personalities are distinct and their interactivity is immediate. The intimate scale means kids aren't overwhelmed, and the rescue angle gives parents a natural way to introduce empathy for animals.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →58 Google reviews
Kelli Butler
a month ago
“If you love birds, especially parrots, you have to check out this place! Beautiful amazing birds in cages with stories telling you about each one. So wonderful there is a place to take care of these birds, some of which had previous traumatic experiences. The birds are very interactive especially when we turned on some dance music, hilarious! Only $15, and even a Groupon for cheaper, although definitely worth it to donate more.”
Matt Archer
2 years ago
“The Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary is a hidden gem in Summerland approx 3.5 miles South of Santa Barbara. Amazing atmosphere for the more than 50 resident birds. We loved the time spent with many of the beautiful birds, some as old as Sweety a Citron Cockatoo hatched in 1965! Honorable mention to Bobby Houdini, Darby, and Jerry as well! We will definitely make this a must visit place when traveling in and around Santa Barbara!”
Danny Zamir
a year ago
“Amazing place, very friendly birds. If you're an animal lover, you'll love this place. So many beautiful birds that are highly interactive. They rescye birds, board birds, and sell bird food and toys. The birds talk and dance when you interact with them.”
Vickie Parry
10 months ago
“Really fun place if you’re an animal lover and near the area. The birds were so entertaining and you can tell they’re loved and cared for! Really a great experience. Was $15 each.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary houses over 50 rescued parrots in lush gardens near the Pacific Ocean. Docent-led tours introduce visitors to individual birds and their rescue histories, with some birds — including Sweety the Citron Cockatoo, hatched in 1965 — having decades of story. The birds are highly interactive: they dance, talk, and actively compete for visitor attention. Behind-the-scenes experiences available. The sanctuary also boards birds and sells bird food and toys.
