THE GREAT OUTDOORS

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE—FRESH AIR FUN IS ALWAYS ON TAP IN GOLETA.

Hit The Beach

Goleta is a beach town at heart. The namesake Goleta Beach Park abuts UCSB and draws sunbathers and groups for barbecues and picnics. Kayak and standup paddle board rentals are available seasonally and the 1,500-foot-long Goleta Pier is popular for fishing. Campus Point sits on the tip of the UCSB campus and is the spot for surfing, especially during winter swells.

Frequented by surfers, windsurfers, kiteboarders and seaglass collectors, Sands Beach can be reached from a bluff path at the southern end of Camino Majorca Road. At low tide, you can walk all the way to Haskell’s Beach, which is also accessible from a public access trail at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara resort. Haskell’s offers a wide expanse that’s perfect for tide pooling and sunset strolling.

Heading farther up the coast, a trio of state beaches along the undeveloped Gaviota Coast are worth the drive for their sense of serenity and natural beauty. El Capitán offers trails for nature walks down to the rocky shore. Refugio feels like a tropical oasis with its palm-lined crescent and mellow surf break—it’s also wellsuited to paddle boarding and kayaking. Gaviota has a cool vantage of a train trestle, plus hiking trail access.

See The Monarchs

November through February, the 78-acre GoletaButterfly

Preserve in Ellwood Mesa is transformed by wintering Monarch butterflies who stop during their annual migration. It’s truly a sight to behold. Join a seasonal docent-led tour offered every Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Nov.–Feb.) to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Explore The Channel Islands

The remote Channel Islands National Park sits just 25 miles off the coast. All sorts of adventures beckon on the ecologically rich islands, habitat to a remarkable diversity of wildlife and marine life–so much so, it’s known as the “Galapagos of North America.” Santa Barbara Adventure Company leads guided kayaking and snorkeling tours through sea caves and giant kelp forests.

On The Trails

Take advantage of the region’s extensive network of trails and wild spaces, from the Santa Ynez Mountains and Los Padres National Forest to the city’s parks and Gaviota Coast. These are the top spots for nature walks, bike rides and hikes.

▶ Sitting on 230-acres, Ellwood Mesa features a 10-mile network of trails attracting bikers and hikers alike.

▶ Lake Los Carneros is a birders’ oasis in the heart of Goleta. Surrounded by trees and grasslands, an easy 1-mile path circles the lake and there are plenty of places to settle in with a picnic.

▶ The Goleta Beach-UCSB Lagoon Loop spans 3.2 miles and includes the Lagoon Labyrinth for a moment of Zen.

▶ Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve is a protected habitat managed by UCSB for research and education. The 4-mile loop features interpretive signs and podcasts offer more insights.

▶ Obern Trail from Goleta Beach to Modoc Road offers 9 miles of easy, family-friendly biking.

▶ Lizard’s Mouth is an iconic front country bouldering spot with elevated views of the Goleta coastline out to the Channel Islands.

▶ The Bill Wallace El Capitán Trail is a moderate 4.2-mile out-and-back hiking trail starting at El Capitán State Beach north of Goleta.

▶ Gaviota Peak is a longer, more challenging 6-mile hike starting at Gaviota Beach State Park. In addition to epic views, it features hot springs accessed just off the main trail.

Tee Time

Goleta is the Santa Barbara South Coast’s golf Mecca. Seaside Sandpiper Golf Course has been rated among the top 25 courses in the country by Golf Digest Designed by William F. Bell, it measures over 7,000 yards with a championship rating of 74.5 and has challenged PGA and LPGA players alike. Just up the road in the foothills, Glen Annie Golf Club serves up panoramic ocean views with championshipcaliber play. Amenities include Frog Bar & Grill, a popular destination for refreshments after a round on the green.

Twin Lakes Golf Course is a nine-hole executive golf course and driving range where golfers of all levels can elevate their game.

Goleta gets more delicious by the day. Rooted in the community’s agricultural bounty, the culinary scene reflects Goleta’s sense of place surrounded by the seafood-rich Santa Barbara Channel and wine country. Dig in and treat yourself to The Good Land’s diverse local flavors.