More Mesa — Attraction in Goleta

More Mesa Bluffs are AWESOME! I went riding through enormous poison oak forests on my Honda Trail bike, losing my exhaust guard in the process, and very nearly wiping out several times. It was great! Yes, you can access the beach from the bluffs. FYI, it is a nude beach (don't say I didnt warn you). If you are keen to sport your birthday suit in public, beware the creepers lurking in the bushes above and behind you: I will allow you to draw your own conclusions as to the nature of the rustling noises emanating from the shrubbery (personally, I don't want to know. Thanks). The preserve is enormous, and accessible via numerous streets/trails/bike paths/etc., from Hope Ranch all the way out to Patterson. Be sure to remember the way you came in: it is surprisingly easy to become lost - don't laugh! When you are arrested for trespassing, because Grandma has called 911, reporting a herd of drunk hobos crushing her roses - just remember who wisely suggested leaving a trail of bread crumbs - or beer cans - or whatnot - as opposed to traipsing through the tulips in someone's back yard, in an attempt to find your exit route! I've never seen hordes of people at More Mesa, but I always see at least a handful. I feel safe there, but I recommend exercising cautioun. Especially, if, like me, you are a female party of one: the area IS fairly isolated, and there are countless wooded/brushy areas where crazies may be skulking about. ALSO: POISON OAK SUCKS! I am astonishingly stupid, and have a red, itchy souvenir from my last visit. The oil stays on EVERYTHING until you wash it off with soap and water - explaining why my rash appeared...

Beautiful open grassland, with nice trails. Trail down to the beach is steep, but leads to one of the more beautiful beaches in the area. Turn right to head to the nude beach, turn left to head to the more clothed beach.

Unfortunately, More Mesa is surrounded by the homes of wealthy people living in gated communities, who do things like limit nearby parking options and get the grasses trimmed near their properties. Airplanes fly over it regularly because people in those same gated communities don't want planes flying over their homes. Nearby horse owners don't clean up after their animals. And Hope Ranch people on the East end of the beach sometimes get the mistaken impression that the beach is their private property. Still, an enjoyable...

Love this place for runs with my dog. 5 stars - you should go - sunsets - lucky to have this in a residential area. however DOG OWNERS BE WARNED right now it is loaded with ticks. Pulled 11 off of my dog, who was on leash the whole time.. 0 on me. Just a community warning for the dog people :) FYI season is March - June in SB. They usually take 24 hrs to attach (aka all the bad stuff) so just do a quick check after. We were able to pull all off the dog quickly and safely. It’s a good idea to keep an old pair of tweezers in the car. Happy...