Location: Goleta
Top Things to do in Goleta
What to do and see in Goleta, California (CA): The Best Things to do
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. Ice in Paradise
2. Draughtsmen Aleworks
3. Coronado Butterfly Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By HappyTrails12345
I am a local and I have come here for many years. I always love coming to see the butterflies in this beautiful eucalyptus grove that smells so fresh. It's always possible to continue the adventure and walk out the bluffs to the beach, not very far away. I notice that some reviewers here are disappointed that they didn't see many butterflies, or that the butterflies were all folded up with their wings closed. It's important to know when the butterflies are there, when they are most active, and also to realize that more butterflies are here in some years than in others. The butterflies are here in the winter, from around November to February. They are most active when the weather is warmest. The best time to see them would be on a sunny, warm winter day, in the warm middle of the day, when you can see them drifting through the air through the grove of eucalyptus trees. When the weather is cold, they gather onto the trees and fold up their wings to keep warm. If it's really cold, the butterflies will gather themselves into a ball about the size of a basketball hanging on the tree, to keep themselves warm. It can be hard to see them when they have their wings folded up, since then they are camouflaged to about the same color as the eucalyptus forest. It's only when they are flying around that you see that beautiful bright orange and black on the top side of their wings. I've only been lucky enough to see it once, but if they have formed into balls and then the weather warms up to a certain degree, the balls of butterflies burst apart in a silent "explosion" of butterflies suddenly filling up the forest. What a beauty! The butterflies here migrate back and forth between here and the Rocky Mountains. The butterflies that go to Michoacan, in Mexico, are the same kind of butterflies, but they migrate along a different route. I learned this and many other fascinating things about the Monarchs, including how to tell the males and females apart, from reading the informative signs at the entrance to the Monarch grove, entering from Coronado Drive. The monarch grove is easy to find, about a 10-minute walk from where you park. To get there from Hollister Ave., turn towards the beach onto Coronado Drive, go almost to the end of the drive and park there. The entrance to the monarch grove is on the right side of the street - you will see signs. Just walk towards the beach - the butterflies are in the grove of eucalyptus trees that is visible from the place where you've parked.
4. Rancho La Patera & Stow House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
aka Stow House or Rancho La Patera
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.
6. Goleta Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
A long sandy beach near Goleta Point.
Reviewed By 863franf - Goleta, United States
A wonderful place to stop for a picnic. Free parking, restroom facilities, picnic tables, a playground and grills. Not to mention lovely views of the beach and coastline. And for those show want some exercise, it is right along a dedicated bike path, and a very short walk to UCSB.
7. Refugio State Park and Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By robinv796 - Indiana, United States
We stopped for a short stroll with out 24 year old son. The cost was $10 to enter. The beach park has several palm trees. The sand is soft and the beach is plenty wide enough. We were here on a Saturday morning and it was not very busy. With just a short walk we had the beach all to ourselves. We walked south for about one mile. We reached a point were the clift sticks out just into the ocean. My son and I climbed up on the point. While up there we saw a seal stick his head up out of the kelp forest. so cool!!! There is a store here but it was closed due to COVID. This would be a very nice beach to come spend the day at.
8. South Coast Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14 reviews
9. Goleta Butterfly Grove
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 87 reviews
We are sad to have to inform you, that as a result of the findings of a tree health assessment, many of the trails on Ellwood Mesa have been closed. The Ellwood Main Monarch Aggregation Site (aka Goleta Butterfly Grove) and other Monarch Butterfly aggregation areas on the Ellwood Mesa will remain closed indefinitely. It is not safe for individuals to enter many of the trails on Ellwood Mesa and the Monarch Butterfly aggregation sites due to the fall risk of dead and dying trees. Several trails to the beach remain open. Check our website for updates on access and trail maps.
Reviewed By lindarF3971CB - Torrance, United States
The butterfly grove is a beautiful park with eucalyptus trees and paths along the beach cliffs that go to the sandy beach. Dogs, runners & relaxed walkers enjoy the fresh air, waves and trees with butterflies. Very enjoyable for several hours.
