We spent 4th of July weekend in Goleta and hit Goleta Beach on our Saturday afternoon. Was it the prettiest beach in Santa Barbara? No. But it was pleasant and super easy, with free parking and zero crowd. We'd be lucky to have a beach like it in L.A. The sand wasn't especially nice, I guess, coarse and rocky and full of ocean debris. There was also a water quality advisory out for the day we went, which we only discovered once we had all our stuff set up. Otherwise, though, I have no complaints. The view was beautiful, and we were able to claim a prime spot to put down our friends' massive cabana. We brought chairs and beach toys and spent the afternoon relaxing, as all five kids in our crew were thoroughly entertained. My older boy even enjoyed the rockiness of the beach, collecting several interesting rocks that he requested to take home (we let him pick two). If you're looking for a quiet beach to lay out and entertain children, Goleta Beach is a great option. We had a lot of fun here and would be happy to go back for more rocks and sun. read more

I love a walk along a pier, so I ended up here namely for the pier. I had a little wander around and appreciated the sand and ocean. There might be some renovations going on; there were chain link fences everywhere -- starting from just right of The Ellwood down a bit. The fences made my walk a little more challenging to navigate and a little less scenic, but hopefully they are temporary. I'm happy I stopped, but know for the future to come prepared with anything I might need (e.g. there isn't a coffee shop nearby, so if I want a cup of tea for my walk, come with it.) Since I'm not from the area, I found it a little random to get to, but can see that it's closeby to the airport, the campus, etc. And it has a pier! 2025: 30/100 read more

Beaches change. And a key change here is that the traditional beach, the one with sand, is basically diminished greatly. As you enter the park, go to the right. Or else, it's all rocky jetties! read more

Goleta Beach Park - Far right side of beach! - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

This is a wonderful park for relaxation, strolling on the beach, playing with grandkids, enjoying birds. Yesterday I was there and saw a kingfisher, osprey and night heron on the lines over the estuary. There's a children's playground there too, free parking! I like walking up the hill to UCSB as well for beautiful views on the longer stroll. Walking out on the Goleta Pier is such fun, too, seeing the families fishing, and enjoying views of the whole beach area. It's the BEST! read more

Goleta Beach Park - Goleta Beach Park viewed from UCSB - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

I have a lot of beautiful memories at this beach. As time passes by, things change and so does this beach. Yet, it still provides beautiful views when one is seeking solace and solitude. The Goleta pier is a nice little place to enjoy a stroll or a lunch. read more

Close to the Santa Barbara Airport, a great view with clean bathrooms if you are early for a flight or waiting to pick up friends as we were. Incredible number of pelicans hanging out on the beach this visit. Pier is open for a stroll, too. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Pelucans - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

It's a lovely area but be warned there is a white sprinter style van that parks close to the ranger station. He's always there. He spy's on people and reports it to the rangers. I was in my suv for about 35 minutes and this guy got out of his van and pretended to stretch and was looking at what I was doing and then got back in his van. I reclined my seat back for about 10 mins as I had just got done working a night shift and was killing a little time before I could check into my hotel and next thing I know two rangers are pounding on my door telling me I needed to leave for "camping out" read more

I just now realized, and am honestly in disbelief, that I still have not reviewed the closest beach to where I live. Although Goleta beach Park is far from the nicest beach on California's Central Coast, it is very family friendly, scenic with lined palm trees, a clear view of the Channel Islands and a fishing pier (called More's Landing that was first built in 1874!) that makes it picture perfect. Given that it is somewhat in a cove, the waves aren't as large as other beaches. The University of California, Santa Barbara is right next-door, in addition to a bike path that connects Goleta to Santa Barbara. They have various public restrooms (that range in cleanliness) and also picnic tables. I have been known to come here and enjoy takeout lunches, particularly when the weather is gorgeous. It is even more ideal to enjoy a sunset with the car windows open hearing the crashing waves and feeling the breeze. Now for the downfalls: this is the location where they dropped off all of the debris from the Montecito Mudslide. The beach continually becomes less of a sandy beach due to high surf and erosion. There is also a natural slough that connects the ocean that when the weather is hot, it doesn't give off a pleasant smell. Lastly, the airport is right next door which can be noisy, but also fun to watch planes take off and land. For a long while there was a restaurant here, and there is hopes that it will reopen by the end of the year under a different name. All in all, Goleta Beach Park is a pleasant with free parking that you cannot beat! History Buffs: This beach is where the town of Goleta is said to get its name. It apparently came from the construction of a ship (in spanish, a goleta) in the slough in 1828. It is also said to be the first American ship ever built in California! read more

Nice beach park with lots of open area, ample picnic benches, swings for kids, sandy beach. So there is enough to do on a sunny day for every age group. Recommended.. read more

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Pretty location on the central coast. Beautiful beach with a nice area for wave and bird watching. read more

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Easy to access for handicap (cane user) of you go in and turn to left, park in that lot. Easy access to beach, no rocks or downhill drop. Very happy to have had the chance to go to beach with my bum leg. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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It's more rocky than sandy now days but appreciate the free parking and that it's dog friendly (on-leash)

Since I discovered this place recently, I've spent quite a bit of time here at Goleta Beach - it's beaches like this that make me glad that at end of the day I'm a California Girl through and through ;-) There's lots of room to walk right on the beach, or you can use the trail which runs along side it.  Not only is this a gorgeous beach to walk on, but it's also a wonderful place to take pictures. Pros: - The times I've been here, while it's never been completely deserted there haven't been too many other people around - you'll feel like there's room for personal space, without being completely alone - It's nice and clean, along as you stay on the sand - There's some great bird watching to be done here - There's a pier very close at hand Cons: - Like most of the beaches on this part of the Coast, it's usually fairly cold here - There are large masses of seaweed in the water - The first time I went wading I found oil tar on my feet when I came back to the beach; it came off fairly easily, but it's not something I'd sign up to do again ;-) To sum it up, this is a lovely beach, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or come back anytime I need a dose of sun and surf :-) read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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Nice beachfront park next to the airport. Got off work early and stopped by on my way to my 5pm flight for some relaxation. I'll definitely remember this place. OK, it's not the cleanest, but the breeze and the sounds of the waves and families in the afternoon enjoying the first days of fall were pleasant in this place. Oh yeah, free and pup friendly! read more

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Crowded. Not a lot of parking. Small beach. Not a lot of places to get a picnic table. Beach doesn't seem as well kept as other beaches we have visited through the US. read more

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Goleta Beach is truly a beautiful spot. Although the cafe will be missed, there is still plenty of draw between the park, picnic spots, and pier. Fishing on the pier is great for the whole family. People catch halibut, kelp bass, shovel nose, and more. In addition, there's a great bait shack in the summer months run by a local who own Hook, Line, and Sinker. The boys are very sweet and knowledgeable! The picnic spots have a variety of sizes and are very reasonably priced to host events. Great option especially given the in between/opening up stages is Covid. The beach has gentle waves that are safe for children, and ample space to spread out and not feel crowded by other families. Heading south past the pier is a local spot known as Black Rock, which boasts some cool geological features. Overall, Goleta Beach is a great choice to escape some of the crowds of SB or if you're staying in the area. read more

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Small beach close to UCSB with an onsite restaurant and pier. The beach is wide and has soft sand. Great place for hanging out in the summer. The pier is a good evening stroll with uneven wood planks that may be challenging for some people. College students diving into the water near the crane. Sunset view is very nice. read more

Fix the pier it looks ghetto and like it's falling apart and besides that the beach is nice and the bathrooms are cleans

It has been said of many places, "You can usually return, but you can never go back." Somewhere in the midst of syntax and sentiment, those words always seem to ring true for this angler, 45 years on this journey and most of them plying the nearshore with a rod in my hands. Goleta pier is, perhaps, one location that most elicits those feelings-- for more than 20 years, it has been my "home pier," fully 130 miles from my doorstep, but never too far for a casual evening visit. A few weeks ago, my youngest son saw my old hoop nets leaning against the garage wall, and told me that for his 7th birthday, he wanted to catch a crab. Between distance learning, distance principaling, and a move to a new home, the thought of getting out on a pier was a refreshing notion. And so, my wife and I loaded up the truck with kids and gear, and started north on the 101. After a quick stop at In N Out, we arrived at Goleta Beach Park. Fearing the worst, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the park and the pier were clean and improved: the restrooms were in good working order, pier railings were replaced, and the lights were upgraded from sodium halide orange to LED soft white. We enjoyed our dinner at the picnic tables, not far from the site of several Goleta Get-Togethers with fishing buddies over the years. I breathed a few heavy sighs remembering old friends who have moved away or moved on to higher planes, but all with a smile on my face. We set up a few crab hoops from the bend to the crane on the reef side, and threw in two hi-lo rigs with sardine chunks for good measure. One of the more glorious sunsets I've seen in a while created a gorgeous backdrop for our family adventure. The action was slow but steady on small (sub legal) rock crabs, decorator crabs, and one big spider crab to round out the variety. The birthday boy was ecstatic, of course, and even added a couple of white croaker for good measure. I found myself looking down the pier for old friends a few times, but only saw other folks enjoying a relatively warm winter evening. As for me and my family, we enjoyed our 260 mile turn around trip immensely, and my walk down memory lane has stayed with me all week: running's "pier fishing school" years ago as a service project; catching all sorts of fish, crabs, and lobsters in the company of friends; nights of solitude with only the stars to keep me company. I was so glad to visit Goleta, even if only for a few hours to reminisce about more than two decades. It proved once again that while our piscatorial pursuits serve the purpose of catching (and if we choose, releasing) critters of the sea, there is so much more to the pastime. So I will do my best to return again, even if I can't go back. read more

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Wow! Watching the scroll of photos go by on the main page for this park makes it look like a really special place. Well done, Yelpers! Though we go to Santa Barbara often, we haven't spent much time in Goleta. Yesterday, we spent the whole afternoon in the area. After visiting Stow House and the railroad museum, I suggested we check out the coast. That led to driving around the UCSB campus and surrounding miles and miles of apartments in Isla Vista. Eventually, we ended up near this park area and pier, with a cafe tucked away on the east end near the pier. As we came in, there were pop-up shelters and a sign that there was as event for a local school going on. Lots of folks were enjoying a BBQ/picnic. Further on into the plentiful parking, we found the cafe tucked into mature tropical landscaping. After a late lunch, we wanted to walk the pier to experience it, see the views, and catch some cooler breezes on the water. It's a very popular fishing spot. Dozens of men, women, and children were plying the water with their poles and bait, waiting for hungry fish. Didn't see a lot being reeled in while we were there. One big note of caution - rarely have I seen knottier wood being used for the flooring planks. I was wearing secure sandals, but felt I needed to very carefully watch each step. The uneven texture beneath my feet felt very tippy. An ankle twisting could be one unwary step away. Even in closed shoes, it's no easy place to stroll. We stopped several times to take a break from the cautious walking, taking in the pretty view of the Blue Pacific. Lots of seagulls were posing for photo ops. ;-) The breeze was gentle, but provided a welcome break from a warm afternoon. I was grateful to get back to solid land after the challenging stroll that made my ankles ache. Still, it's a nice venue near the shore with a bonus of free parking. Several couples were parked in the sand on beach chairs, soaking up the autumn sunshine. They looked peaceful. Ah, the Southern California lifestyle! read more

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Perfect local beach with plenty of parking and no price of admission. Not many people were here the day I came and the sand is soft and warm. There are tables and grills and beaches located on the grassy area above, all along the coastline. Not surrounded by restaurants or cafe, but that makes it the perfect, solitary relaxation spot. Cute storks read more

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I have many good memories of this place. Fishing off the pier, the old snack shop, being rescued by a lifeguard from the rip tide, walking for miles towards Hope Ranch, climbing the funicular at the old Khashoggi mansion getting chased off the property, and family get togethers. It costs nothing to park here to enjoy the sound of the waves and birds. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Not a soul on the beach today... - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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Close to UCSB. There are benches, picnic tables, and barbecues, as well as areas available to be reserved for large groups. Bathrooms nearby are okay. Didn't see any shower/footwash stations, making it inconvenient after you're done with the beach if you want to wash off. The playground is small, but cool for kids ages 3 to 12 or so. The beach ain't great: small, somewhat rocky shore, covered in seaweed, and only about 10 feet into the water, the sand becomes a bunch of rocks and pebbles. Not bad for a day stop, but not great. If you want sandy beaches that you can lay out on and ocean you can wade far into, keep looking. read more

Was in the Goleta area for a family getaway at the Bacara and spent a lot of time at Goleta beach. The beach is beautiful. You can walk along the beach or follow the walking trail that runs parallel to the beach. It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have been on and is a great place to take pictures. On the days I went into the water with my daughters (5 & 7), we got oil tar on our feet. That's the first time I experienced that but it came off easily. There were also large clumps of seaweed which my oldest daughter did not appreciate. There was just the right amount of people on the beach that you could have your space you but not feel completely alone. read more

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Cool beach park but there was no swimming due to some red algae infestation, no matter we just came to look at the ocean. Cool long wooden pier, you see the ocean through the beams, pretty cool. The pier was filled with people and families fishing for the day. Saw a family that caught a couple of rays and the kids where super excited about it, telling us about their last catch a huge "600 pounder", their dad said it was more like a hundred but a monster never the less. Half way through there is a bait station and you can actually rent some poles, lures and buy bait for a day trip. We watched the beautiful views and the pelicans diving for dinner, great place to take a nice stroll. Considering coming back here in our last day and do some fishing. read more

This beach was located near our hotel so we drove here to give the kids some beach time. The university is nearby so the beach was full of students more than families. I have to say I prefer to go to beaches with families then college drinking cussing 20 yr old's around. Don't get me wrong, I was in college once too, but I watched my sailor mouth around kids. It was kind of kelpy but the kids had fun and it was a nice afternoon to relax and hear the ocean waves. There is a pier that runs in between the beach so maybe I should have checked out the other side because being near the volleyball courts wasn't ideal. Overall it wasn't crowded but I wouldn't come running back. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

Never a bad day in paradise. It's been a little windy, but the water is ok (rash guard=makes life easier). Water can't be that bad if people are snorkeling! Note on bathrooms: gotta push those flush buttons hard. No one likes to see floaters...but our out of town friends say these are the cleanest beach bathrooms they've ever seen. read more

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Seriously gorgeous. There's a really nice grassy area right before the beach with rows and rows of palm trees and free parking. The sand is pretty soft but it's got a lot of kelp and plant shards in the sand. There's a restaurant with great views too, but I would skip it for a picnic. The beach has lighted volleyball courts and kayak rentals. As you get to the wetter area there's a lot of jumpy water fleas and translucent shrimp, which is really cool for kids. We saw a couple of surfers and paddleboarders but overall it doesn't seem like a place for anything other than wading or swimming - the water is super kelpy and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of waves. The pier is super fun - on a typical day there'll be a lot of people fishing off the side, and it seems to be overrun with some pretty audacious pelicans too. Really pleasant walk. Sadly the beach faces south so you can't really see the sunset over the water, but you can watch the sun set through the palm trees which is really gorgeous. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

This beach offers a little something for everyone. As a Goleta local, I've patronized this beach countless times over the course of my lifetime. Birthday parties, family barbecues, organization lunches, or just casually coming on my own, this place has served me well. The beach is clean for the most part and pretty well-maintained. As a kid, I used to love the abstract wind chime-ish art piece that hung adjacent to the playground and was a little sad when they did away with it. I associate this beach with the random 'dings' the art piece would emit. It was a pretty cool spot in its heyday. There are a decent number of picnic areas, an ample parking lot, and the quintessential Goleta Pier which is a must if you want to experience a beautiful sunrise or sunset. The restaurant and snack bar were anchors of this beach and I hope that they are able to reopen in the near future. This beach also connects the Obern Trail bike path with the one leading into the UCSB campus. I've biked here from my current home in downtown Santa Barbara and it's a nice destination point. Watching the gentle tide is quite serene and makes my treks well worth it. I hope to come back here again soon. read more

Came here for a friend's rehearsal dinner and it turned out nice. Granted, it's always cold here but for the most part it's nice and clean and the park ranger Mark, was extremely accommodating. I'd certainly suggest this location if you're looking for something reasonable. Beware though....these seagulls are gangsta and do not respect your space. read more

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It is my favorite beach. It has had rough times, drought, erosion and beach is loosing sand. Covid took restaurant away. Drug addicts, alcoholics, people who dont work in delapidated vehicles have taken over south parking lot. Ex cons and drug dealers moved in and . Not a place for children. North parking lot is a different world. The smartest nicest people always. Kids play structure and picnic area are nice. Pier is fun. Meth addicts are a problem everywhere. I hate to see it at this park. read more

This Beach looks nice from afar but when you actually get up close to the water you'll find a lot of seaweed mixed with what seems like nuggets of tar read more

We came here at night as this was the closest beach to our hotel last weekend. Tons of free and easy parking and not much going on on the beach or pier, perfect. The views are amazing, the sand pearly white and super fine, perfect for a barefoot stroll. Beach cafe right at the pier to grab some coffee and enjoy the views, great stop while in the area! read more

This is an excellent spot to relax and enjoy the Santa Barbara sun. Located next to UC Santa Barbara (Go Gauchos!), Goleta Beach Park offers many amenities: barbecue grills, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, bathrooms, volleyball courts, benches, grass areas, palm trees, a huge pier to fish from, and, best of all, free parking! Easily accessible by foot, bike, or car, most of the people here are students or local families, and the vibe is laid back and friendly. I spent many a day studying here while I was a student (okay, replace "studying" with "lounging") and I try to stop by whenever I'm in town. It's not as crowded as the main Santa Barbara beaches and there is plenty to do. I'd often meet friends or family on the pier to drink a few beers and do some fishing (tips: no fishing license is necessary and there's a great snack shack that serves a pretty good tri-tip sandwich). The Beachside Bar Cafe is also here and it's a good place to have a drink before walking around the area. read more

Goleta Beach Park - Another beautiful evening near UCSB. :) #GauchoPride - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

This is for the Goleta pier Fishing here is great have bathrooms at beginning of pier bait shack on piers opens at 12 Big Enough that even with a lot of people fishing as plenty of room need two pole here light tackle for Small minke and bait fish then use the mm for the Bigger catch with heavier pies and or surf rods .... All the fishermen were nice and helpful ... read more

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Nice beach. Pretty quiet while we were visiting. Free parking. The wave was pretty calm, great for paddle boarding but not body boarding. The beach got some seaweeds (not too bad), got some rocks (my son's toes hit one.. ouch!), and the worst thing: found broken glass!!!! I saw another visitor found broken glass as well. Maybe the college students party spot? Hope people are more responsible to keep our beaches clean! read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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This is one of my favorite beaches because it's right off the bike path from UCSB, it has a gorgeous pier (great for fishing), historical lagoon, it has a little tar (for a SB beach), I see dolphins here all the time, and if you're old enough to drink and you clean up after yourself it is legal to drink on the beach here. There are nice lifeguards, benches, grills, and pits for horseshoe. And for those who want to drive (please do responsibly) there is a lot of parking available in the parking lots and its all free. From 11 to 3 there is a stand that sells goods and Bud Lights (in the can) for $2. There is as well a great little sea food place right on the beach called Beachside Bar-Cafe that is good for happy hour. Overall I think this is a great beach for both college kids and families with children. read more

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Not the nicest beach but easy, free parking and direct access to the water from beyond the the grassy area. They have a park with kids play structure, picnic tables, BBQs and lots of trees. Beach is only feet from parking lot, easy to view beach from grassy area. Kids liked playing on sand and in water. No tar other than 2 tiny spots on one foot. read more

Goleta Beach Park - View from beach to UCSB. - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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My husband spent a lot of time at Goleta Beach growing up, so when we visit the SB area, we always stop by to check out the beach. We recently visited Goleta Beach the end of April on a Sunday. While the parking lot had plenty of spaces, pretty much all the picnic tables were being used with families BBQ-ing, having parties, etc. We parked and then walked over to check out the ocean-- that's when my husband and I noticed all the "KEEP OUT" Warning signs posted. The signs stated the water is contaminated with bacteria that can cause illness and the signs were posted all along the beach and also on the beach entrance sign. The lame thing is that despite all these signs posted all along the beach, there were kids and adults sitting in and playing in the contaminated water, and people were fishing on the pier. Crazy. read more

One of my new favorite beaches. It doesn't have a lot of things around it. Maybe one restaurant and very close to UCSB. Has good parking and just enough tables for some family picnic. During our stay in SB, we came and visited this beach twice. The first time, it was low tide and we walked the beach for almost 2 hours! It was a weekend around 5PM, not crowded at all and the further you walked east, it becomes slightly secluded. I guess it's connected to either beach houses or hotels, idk. But just being there with no annoying kids, couples or teenagers made it perfect for some relaxing, thinking - whatever. They also have these odd black rocks just sitting by the beach which makes for good photo op. If you're into that stuff. Lol! This is definitely one of my go to beach if I were ever in the area again and recommend the place to everyone :) read more

Goleta Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Goleta, California

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