Family Vacation Center Review

The Family Vacation Center is an easy, relaxing get-away. Food, accommodations, and most activities are included in the price, which makes it worry- and hassle-free. Kids (infants through high school) are entertained in age-appropriate groups, while the adults have a choice of their own activities such as wine-tasting and kayaking. There are plenty of family activities that parents and children can do together, while babysitting is available if couples want an evening out. It's staffed primarily by college students, who are great with the kids and make it all fun for everyone. The beach is steps away, as is a pool, and vacationers also have free use of the the nearby UCSB recreation center. Santa Barbara is just a short drive away, offering many opportunities for shopping, wine-tasting, museums, and so on. The weather is typically sunny and warm, without the oppressive heat that so much of Southern California experiences during the summer months.

Our extended family has met here for a family reunion every year since 2006, and we continue to look forward to our visits.

Pros - Energetic and enthusiastic staffers, entertainment for all ages, all-inclusive plan.
Cons - Only available for 9 weeks per year and popular weeks often book up way ahead of time.

They call this the best vacation since becoming a parent and ten years in, we still feel that way. Every year we grow more attached: to the friends who've become family over the years, to the new friends that we've make, to the energy and kindness of the staff, to the reliable stress-free week.

Best vacation you have since becoming parents! Last year was our first year and we had a 6 month, 3 year old, and 5 year old boys. They love the counselors and we loved the adult only activities! We get to spend time together as a couple, while our children are enjoying camp. It's also awesome if you can encourage others families you know to go at the same time as you.

Going back for our 9th year next week. Can hardly wait! Best vacation we do all year.

Sheri has really made some great improvements in both the schedule and the technology since she came on board 3 or so years ago. Registration has never been easier and new events like the dinner at Glen Annie Golf Course are outstanding.

I can't say enough good stuff about this vacation!

Our family enjoyed a spectacular week here... 5 separate times so far. Each family gets their own dorm suite with daily housekeeping service. You won't spend much time there. The kids group counselors are the main attraction and will keep kids happily occupied about 8 hours a day. Parents can either amuse themselves, or just show up for one of the many scheduled activities or lessons. With surf lessons, stand up paddle board lessons, tennis courts and a swimming pool available, you might not need to go off campus for recreation. We've had a great time with our fellow vacationers every year.

We loved every minute of our week at Family Camp! A perfect blend of adult and family time. The staff is amazing and willing to go the extra mile. Our kids still sing their camp songs and talk about their adventures. We all look forward to returning!

Our family looks forward to this amazing vacation every year!!

By the second day our family was ready to sign up again for the next year...and we did. Our two children have had so much fun with the enthusiastic college-age counselors who are excellent role models as well as experts in creating fun for kids. My husband and I have been able to relax together, play tennis, swim, bike ride, and walk on the beach. We love that we can create family memories with our children that were favorites from our own childhood such as s-mores on the beach, skits, talent shows, derby cars, and ping pong along with new favorites like rock climbing and ceramics. This is definitely the "best vacation since becoming parents".

Our favorite place to spend our vacation! Activities for the whole family, as much or little as you want. The staff are the best! Fun, responsible, playful and great role models for the kids! This was our 11th summer there. If my daughter had any say, we'd spent the entire summer here.

Third year and we'll be back. Great staff and good fun for the whole family.

UCSB Family Camp is 100 percent and completely 'my happy place' - I've been going for over 30 years... first as a child with my parents, and now as a parent with my kids. I could not recommend it more highly. Best. Place. Ever.

The children's clothing is great, but the apartments are barren, are only shared apartments.

This place is an oasis for busy parents looking for a place where you can have family time, couple time and downtime. The staff is awesome and the adult activities are fun. My preschoolers love the food, and I like not having to cook or clean up after them.

Probably bias because I worked here for three summers, but being a part of this camp was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! And it s an experience that continues to pay dividends six years later. It has a little bit of everything! Don t let the seemingly modest accommodations deter you from diving head first into the greatest family vacation money can buy. You ll build lifelong relationships here. Join the cult!! This camp has been around for 50 years. I hope it s around for 50 more.

This is an outstanding family vacation that you will not want to miss out on. We have been going for 3 years now and will be there again for our 4th. Our kids enjoyed it so much. The camps for the kids are great and there s even a camp for under 3 which we used many times. I felt very comfortable entrusting my toddler there with well qualified staff. There are so many activities for all ages. The best part is meeting other families there. I highly recommend this for all families especially those with young children.

This is a great place to take your kids on vacation. You stay in the dorms at UC Santa Barbara, and eat most of your meals in the student dining facility. While the accommodations are spartan, the food is surprisingly good - much better than when I was in college! The real attraction is the activities that they provide for all the kids. The kids are kept busy all day, having tons of fun and making new friends. The adults have a good choice of activities too, or they can choose to just relax. Overall, it is great, as it takes the meal planning, cooking and activity planning out of the equation.

This is a amazing place to visit with a family and very nice kind encouraging staff.

Remember those leisurely vacations with long delicious meals and reading beside the pool and how they all went away when you started procreating? Well thanks to FVC we ve been able to reclaim our pre-child relaxation time knowing that our little ones are in the loving and (let s face it) way more fun hands of the FVC staffers! We loved our first summer there and plan on becoming lifers of the camp. Thanks for our best vacation since we started breeding! -the wood family

This was the best experience for our extended family. We had all of our grandchildren with my husband and I (without their parents) and we called it "cousins camp". The 7 kids ranged from 3-12 and they all had ample exciting activities to keep them busy. The best times were the family events where we all got to be silly and laugh together. All of our adult children were envious of this experience and we can't wait to do it all over again next year. We may even invite the adults...maybe

This place truly is an amazing family vacation center. Their childcare is truly what takes this place over the top. They have been watching my kids since they were 5 months old. There are activities for the adults ranging from surfing to wine tasting to painting to massages. As a parent it's a place where you can feel like your on vacation instead of just taking care of your kids in beautiful scenery. We have been several times times now and my kids still want to keep coming back.

Literally the best place for families looking for a week get away

My husband and I were amazed by FVC from the moment we arrived. With counselors cheering from the parking lot helping you with check-in and taking family pics, we felt very much welcomed. It was literally the best vacation ever since becoming a parent. No need to go grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking and most importantly your kids are soooo happy to hang out with the young, energetic, and loving counselors !! It was our 1st summer here and my 2.5 yr old twin boys had a time of their lives. The amazing director Sheri and the awesome counselors do all their best to keep everyone smiling and entertained during the stay. Lots and lots of activities for both kids and adults. Food at the cafeteria varies everyday and yummy. We are soooo returning next year. Thank you for the wonderful memories, FVC !!!

You'd be hard pressed find another resort that is relatively inexpensive, all inclusive, has absolute top notch child care, plenty of activities both included and optional for adults, and that is located on one of the most beautiful pieces of land in California. There is a reason why so many families come back here after year. The resort just has something magical about it.

Amazing family vacation with something for everyone! Kids are in supervised group activities for about 6 hours per day. Counselors and staff are fantastic. Adults can lounge by the pool, kayak, hike, go wine tasting, etc. We returned for a second year and so many families were back for their 5th or 8th year! A great trip for multiple families or an extended family to do together.

I ve been going there since I was a baby, and I always have fun! The food is amazing, and the activities
Are sooooooooo fun! Plus they have car races and a talent show! I hope others find this as good as I do! -Ava Brooks, 13