Welcome to Goleta
Suburban living in a booming commercial hub
Settled along the coast of southern California about 10 miles west of Santa Barbara, Goleta radiates with appeal, while also featuring a cutting-edge business community, deluxe hotels, resorts, and the prestigious University of California in Santa Barbara. Endowed with lots of open space, locals indulge in outdoor recreational activities like surfing, biking, golf, and fishing.
Once an all-agricultural region in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, Goleta’s new crop of tech-focused firms, craft breweries, spectacular shopping venues, and world-class golf courses, has set it firmly as a place to be. This doesn’t rob it of its quintessential suburban character though, with charming sidewalks on tree-lined streets, expansive yards, and tranquility. Proximity to Santa Barbara ensures quick commute times, and locals enjoy easy access to numerous parks, the airport, and excellent schools. Homeowners in Goleta also get more bang for their buck with large affordable houses on expansive lots.
What to Love
- Proximity to Santa Barbara
- An abundance of new construction homes
- Convenient transit routes
- Premier golf and surf destination
Local Lifestyle
Often considered the younger sibling to Santa Barbara, with a family-friendly culture at its core, as well as activities to enjoy in its parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces, there’s plenty of reason to love Goleta. This laid-back, small-town haven is not just a hotspot for locals, but other people around Santa Barbara flock here for its less-crowded beaches, diverse shopping venues, exciting entertainment opportunities, and ample recreation. On the other hand, Goleta residents also have the luxuries of a bigger city at their doorstep, homes being a mere hop, skip and jump away from the bounties of downtown Santa Barbara.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
With charming vintage stores, specialty Asian markets, multi-brand retail stores, and sprawling shopping malls, Goleta brims with the promise of exciting shopping. Start at Old Town, boasting some of the city’s oldest family-owned businesses like Bertha’s Jewelry, Red Pepper Restaurant, and Goleta Bakery. Large national retailers, including Home Depot, Costco, and Target also call the city home. Drive up to Calle Real Shopping Center for a weekend shopping spree, where you can begin with a visit to Trader Joe’s for all your grocery needs, and step over to Baroness Jewelers for diamond-encrusted rings and gemstone necklaces, before heading into Los Arroyos for a tasty margarita and chicken enchilada.
Camino Real Marketplace is home to a movie theater, the Hollister Brewing Company, Best Buy, and a host of fine restaurants. Kick back on a seat at Jane At The Marketplace–a sophisticated bistro serving refreshing cocktails and savory plates of chicken piccata, crispy calamari, and fried chicken. Craving pasta dishes paired with wine? Look no further than Ca’Dario.
Things to Do
Sunday Farmers Market in Goleta happens at The Camino Real Marketplace, bursting with color, the sweet smell of foods, and a crowd of people to socialize with. Check out the displays of robust and flawless agricultural products sourced from local farms, whether what you want is organic eggs or cheese, fresh-baked bread, or fruits.
Kids love the cute playground at Girsh Park, but that’s not the only thing you can bring them over there! Each year the California Lemon Festival takes over the grassy expanse, a weekend of family fun activities where all things lemon are celebrated through bake-offs, pie-eating contests, and lots more. The park also boasts a soccer field, baseball loop, and basketball court for days when you’re feeling athletic or want to cheer on your kids as they play. And talking about athleticism, UCSB plays a pivotal role in California’s collegiate athletics, so it’s only fitting that residents of Goleta enjoy easy access to many of the University’s games.
Schools
Goleta is home to some of California’s most acclaimed educational institutions, renowned for their outstanding curriculum and innovative extracurricular activities. Top neighborhood choices include:
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