Goleta, the Santa Barbara College Town

Goleta, California is located in Santa Barbara County on the Central Coast. It has the Pacific Ocean, it has a beach, a nice public pier, and it also is home to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). That distinction brings Goleta its fame.

Known by tourists for annual events such as the Lemon Festival, the Goleta Train Depot Bunny Express and an annual Easter Egg Hunt in Girsh Park, there are great activities and events for all ages throughout the year. One such event is the Summer Concerts Series called Music at the Ranch. It is held at the beautiful ground of the Historic Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta. The rancho is open to the public.

Goleta used to be a community of Santa Barbara, but split off and formed its own city in 2002, after many years of dissatisfaction with it status as an unincorporated community. When it did incorporate, Goleta and its citizens got were fairly happy about the newly formed city. Its beautiful location north of Santa Barbara by a few miles provides more open space and room to grow. However, right to the north of Goleta is a section of the City of Santa Barbara's assets, the Bacara Resort. For all practical purposes, it's a lot easier to visit and do things in Goleta if you stay at the resort, though Santa Barbara is a short distance, as well.

The Santa Barbara Airport is near the beaches of Goleta and is very convenient for students and travelers arriving by plane.