ERIN CAIRD

Erin Caird is a Santa Barbara native who has always lived and worked in Goleta. She is owner and Sales & Marketing Director of Por La Mar Nursery, a multi-generational business her parents started more than 50 years ago.

How would you spend a perfect Goleta day?

My idea of a perfect Goleta day is surfing if there is a swell. I love to surf, and the Goleta area has so many great breaks to choose from and they aren’t as crowded as going south can be.

What do you love most about living and working in Goleta?

As a child, we could ride our ponies, skateboard and bike to just about anywhere. Goleta still has that old town feel, which might seem dated to some, but to me it’s what our town has always been. It’s a hidden gem. We can still ride our horses, skateboard and bike to just about anywhere!

What are your go-to restaurants?

Cajun Kitchen for breakfast, Hacienda for lunch, On the Alley for a quick bite of fresh seafood and Jane for dinner.

What are your favorite hiking and walking spots?

At low tide, I like to walk from northern Goleta to Santa Barbara. And Las Cruces trail is my favorite for hiking.

What cultural event(s) or festival do you most look forward to every year?

Concerts in the Park at Stow House—the music is free, you bring your own food or buy food and socialize and dance! I also enjoy the summer concerts at El Capitan Canyon. And the Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade is super cute and fun to attend.

What says “quintessential Goleta” to you?

Old Town, Santa Cruz Markets, Goleta Sushi and Timbers Restaurant. Where do you recharge locally?

Centennial Beer Hall is a great brewery with live music and food trucks. Any other local business shout outs?

Shoutout to my daughter-in-law, Hunter Chancellor Williams, for opening Cyclebar in Magnolia Center, which is set to open in fall 2023. I couldn’t be prouder and know it’s going to be a huge success—it’s the first cycling studio to ever come to Goleta.