Location: Goleta
Top Things to do in Goleta
6 Sights & Landmarks in Goleta That You Shouldn't Miss
Goleta, home to University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the Santa Barbara Airport, hugs the coast 12 miles west of Santa Barbara. First called "The Good Land" by the Spanish, Goleta was once known for its rich agriculture, and smaller scale farms still pepper the landscape. The California Lemon Festival at Girsh Park is a must-see every October. Visitors seeking outdoor adventure can fish off Goleta Pier, surf at Campus Point and hike along bluffs overlooking untrammeled coastline.
Restaurants in Goleta
1. Folded Hills Farmstead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The Folded Hills Farmstead serves as a place of connection between people, farmer, food, animals and nature. It also holds our retail shop and adjacent organic fields. You can visit the shop to pick up delicious food, or slow down, unplug and gather your own from our U-Pick fields. Our shop is filled with local, organic food with a focus on quality. Here, visitors find freshly harvested produce grown in our own fields, and delicious homemade baked goods. Don't miss our beloved, heritage animals...we have Kunekune pigs, goats, miniature donkeys, llamas, and a rescue mini jersey cow named Peaches. The animals love to nibble produce and have their ears scratched. At the Farmstead, families can bring a picnic lunch, venture across the street to our U-Pick fields, and harvest their own fruits and vegetables that change with the seasons. Be sure and stop by our Homestead Tasting Room just across the street and try our award-winning wines while you're here!
Reviewed By SBayKat - Redondo Beach, United States
Our family went back in September 2018 so that the little kiddies could feed the farm animals; which is ALWAYS fun! This visit, I discovered that they are now selling chocolate chip cookies with a tiny amount of sea salt sprinkled on top. Most amazing cookie EVER!!! So good, that when passing by last weekend, we had to stop and buy more of those scrumptious cookies!
2. Fairview Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Come visit the farm! Founded in 1895, Fairview Gardens is one of the oldest organic farms in southern California and preserved for all to enjoy. Fairview Gardens is a non-profit organization and plays a unique role in the community, providing its neighbors with food, educational events, and a connection to the land. Pack a picnic, visit our farm stand, and take a self-guided tour through our fruit orchards and open space. Bring a camera and get ready for some delicious fun.
3. Rancho La Patera & Stow House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
aka Stow House or Rancho La Patera
4. Santa Barbara Blueberries
5. Foley Food and Wine Society Tasting Room
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By digitaleye3
The Foley Food and Wine Society is a hidden gem way out here in Goleta. Located right off the motor-court at the main entrance to the Bacara resort the FFWS serves up wines from Foley's 20 or so vineyards around California and around the world. With so many regions and styles to choose from you definitely do not feel limited in choice here. FFWS is open to the public and separate from any of the other restaurants and bars on the Bacara property and though FFWS does offer wine club memberships, membership is not required to taste or drink at this tasting room. Tasting flights are offered from 11-5 daily and after 5PM the room reverts to a simple wine bar until 8PM. The room itself is quite comfy, spacious and nicely decorated and the staff are quite knowledgeable about all the wine they serve. On top of that the staff are obviously trained for the hospitality business and treat you accordingly. For better or worse the only official way to park is using the Bacara valet service which is quite convenient giving to the location of the FFWS tasting room but, personally, I'm just not a fan of valet parking in general. Unofficially there are sometimes some spaces available on the street just past the main Bacara turn in entrance and if you can grab one of those its about a 50-60 yard walk to the room.
