If you have a young family in tow then the likelihood of relaxing on the beach is slim. Luckily, this local Santa Barbara destination affords visitors with a variety of options be it in or out of the water. Our personal favorite pastime? Building sandcastles, of course!
If you build it, they will come.
This is an activity that’s positively irresistible, regardless of age. When you decide to construct a marvel-worthy sandcastle it brings the family together. It’s a team effort, and it takes some serious brainstorming and impeccable imagination. At least it does if you’re going to make it count!
Come Equipped
Making this beauty will require just a few basic tools: sand, water, pail, shovel, and carving tools (optional, not necessary).
Tips and Tricks
When you’re ready to start, you’ll need some damp sand. Here’s where you’ll use the bucket to gather your water! This step is often where amateurs wander astray. Don’t put your sand in the bucket! The reason is simple, it typically gets stuck and you spend half the afternoon pounding the bottom of your pail to get it out.
Instead, pour water onto a free pile of sand, then use your hands, feed or tools to pat it, pound it or tamper it. Another great option is to dig until you hit water; this becomes an endless source of H20 and malleable sand.
The Nitty Gritty Details
Once you have your materials, you’re ready to embark on your journey! Figure out how large you want the structure to be, then create your pile. Since this is the beginnings of your castle, you’ll want to poke a few holes and add water. This method ensures the sand remains moist, keeping your sandcastle stable and durable. Continue to add more water when necessary.
After your foundation is set, start to add small piles of sand on top, then carve and decorate as needed.
Final Touches
The rest of the process requires imagination. Your piles may form towers or bridges, but we all know it’s incomplete without a little aesthetic detailing. So, carve windows, doors, stairs, and moats. Just make sure you do one thing for sure, have fun!
We want to see your sandcastle!
We share photos from S.B. all the time on Instagram and Facebook. We’d love if you joined us!
So, will we see you around town any time soon?
