Favorite
Goleta Butterfly Grove Monarch butterflies migrate to Goleta each November through February and this amazing sight is best viewed at the Goleta Butterfly Grove. The site is open sunrise to sunset with no admission fee, but the City of Goleta does accept donations to support the Monarch Butterfly Docent Program. The grove is adjacent to the Sperling Preserve on the Ellwood Mesa. The Read more...
Favorite
South Coast Railroad Museum The South Coast Railroad Museum, in Goleta, Calif., focuses on the history, technology, and adventure of railroading. Special emphasis is placed on the railroad’s contributions to local history, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and on the key historical role of the railroad depot in rural community life across America. The museum centerpiece is Goleta Depot, a Read more...
Favorite
Rancho La Patera & Stow House The Stow House was built in c. 1872 by Sherman P. Stow (1851-1907). Stow was the son of William W. Stow (1825-1895), an influential San Francisco railroad attorney who in 1871 purchased 1,043 acres of La Patera Tract land in Goleta where his son could establish and manage a ranch. The Carpenter Gothic Style Read more...
Favorite
Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve One of the best remaining examples of a coastal-strand environment in Southern California, the Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve protects a wide variety of coastal and estuarine habitats. Largely undisturbed coastal dunes support a rich assemblage of dune vegetation and have become a nesting site for the endangered Snowy Plover. Learn More → Article by James Read more...
Favorite
Sandpiper Golf Club This spectacular seaside 18-hole, 72 par, 7,068 yard course was designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1972 featuring rolling fairways and challenging greens in the seaside links style layout. The course has a championship rating of 74.2 and hosts several professional tournaments, such as the PGA TOUR Tournament Players Series, The LPGA TOUR Santa Barbara Women’s Open, and Read more...
Favorite
Haskell’s Beach Trail This local surf spot has a long history and much of it is showcased in a series of interpretive signs that line the short trail down to the beach. A good place for a range of water sports, picnicking, beach walking or simply enjoying the view. Learn More → Article on the history of Haskell’s Beach at GoletaHistory.com Read more...
Favorite
Coronado Butterfly Preserve The Coronado Butterfly Preserve is home to native coastal sage scrub habitat, eucalyptus groves and numerous birds and wildlife that thrive in this urban community treasure. The 9.3-acre preserve includes Devereux Creek, woodlands and meadows as well as trails, an outdoor gathering area and classroom. The Preserve is protected open space and acts as a gateway to Read more...
Favorite
Pond Dune Trail The Pond Dune Trail (aka Pond Trail) begins at the northwest corner of the Devereux Slough. To get there you can park on the street where Storke Rd meets El Collegio Rd at the start of the Slough Road and walk 4/10ths of a mile through the student housing parking lot and continuing on along the Veneco Road that runs Read more...
Favorite
Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area Campus Point (aka Goleta Point) is a popular surfing and tidepooling area adjacent to UCSB. Learn More → Article on Boundaries and Permitted Uses at Campus SMPA published by California Marine Sanctuary Foundation Article published by California Department of Fish and Wildlife Map created by California Department of Fish and Wildlife Article in Wikipedia Article and Read more...