Goleta Beach
Beautiful Goleta Beach is surrounded by Santa Barbara County's 29-acre Goleta Beach Park. The wide, sandy beach attracts sun bathers, sand castle architects, beach combers, boogie boarders, and swimmers.
The 1,450-foot Goleta Pier is a favorite spot for local anglers. Boat launching from the pier is available during park hours.
Within walking distance of the University of California Santa Barbara, Goleta Beach attracts many students looking for a tranquil place to relax between studies.
Nearby Beaches
Isla Vista Beach
Isla Vista Beach is west of Goleta Beach, around the tip of Goleta Point. Adjacent to the beach is 1.4-acre Isla Vista County Park resting on a grassy bluff overlooking the ocean. The park has picnic tables, benches along the edge of the bluff, sandlot volleyball courts, and stairs leading down to the beach.
Sands Beach
Farther west along the coast, beyond Coal Oil Point, is Sands Beach, a popular surfing spot for local college students. Find parking near Camino Majorca and Del Playa, then follow a path to Coal Oil Point.
Windamajig
Next to the playground at Goleta Beach Park once stood a 15-foot-tall sculpture known as Windamajig. The structure was created in 1990 by artist George Rhoads. Rhoads has spent more than 30 years designing rolling ball machines and wind sculptures for public and private places.
Windamajig was composed of about 20 cone-shaped pieces attached in small clusters to poles that rotate independently of one another. Propelled by the wind, the cones spin at various speeds, creating a dazzling array of whirling parts.
Unfortunately, the sculpture was damaged by strong winds in 2006 and removed from the park. Read more about George Rhoads' sculptures in Wizard at Work.