Goleta Beach Park — Attraction in Goleta

A nice park because of the views of the Pacific and shoreline. But beware of bare feet getting tar stained. Update 2018, Idk how much of an issue tar feet is currently. However bc of the debris dump from the Montecito mudslides, as of July 2018, swimming safety is still touch & go. Full disclosure so no one can say that I mislead lol. The western side of the park has better parking, is more open & therefore has more oceanview & is the more accomodating side for parties & gatherings. I recommend the west side, however does it closes at sunset/dusk while the east side has a restaurant & pier 4 night fishing, etc., so its populated much later n2 the evening. Furthermore, the far eastern parking lot is truly cramped w TIGHT parking spaces & a skimpy driveway around it, so RVers be prepared. Interestingly this is where they have designated large RV spots but smaller RVs do park on the western side. Ive NEVER seen such a tight parking lot. 😮 Also, unfortunately, it can get rowdier inside the eastern parking lot loud music, commotion, etc. But if u r coming to park just for the adjacent eastside beach, its not a big deal. Some good news 3 bikers, Goleta has built a nice biketrail n the area that partially hugs the western side...

Seems this lovely beach area is continually in flux. Its been long years of different reconstructions.

Lately the park is an odd combination of invasive weeds with foxtails, stickers and fences with newer grass and other plantings that cannot be used.

The bathrooms are open and functional but can be soaking wet, even the toilet paper is soaking wet with toilets very difficult to flush.

The pier is very nice for fishing and taking in the view. It's tended to be a lot cleaner and more pleasant for walking on now with less multiple but unattended hordes of fishing poles and debris now that the restaurant is finally open (at least for lunch.)

The beach itself has undergone structural changes over the years, some good, some not. The birds and sealife have tended to return but there are still problems.

This park often seems to be more of an experimental process to remedy it's many issues than a place to simply enjoy. Its unclear why so much effort has not resulted in a completed project. Perhaps some day soon, it will be truely...

Got to the Santa Barbara Airport about 45 minutes earlier than we needed to, so we kept our rental car and drove to Goleta Beach Park which was only about 6 minutes away. Lovely quiet, beach area with covered picnic tables and close-by parking. Quiet waves and white sandy beach on both sides of the pier that looked perfect for families with younger kids. Very tranquil vibe.

Walked to the end of the pier there which is open 24/7 for the fishermen I guess. Several people fishing and catching off the pier at 2 p.m. Don't know how long they'd been there.

There's quite a bit of seaweed about halfway out on both sides of the pier that didn't look very inviting for swimmers, but it probably attracts fish. Restrooms handy where the pier starts. A surprising find which we will file away for our next visit to...