Goleta Beach County Park is one of the most popular coastal access points in Santa Barbara County, welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors a year. Unlike many other beaches on the South Coast, it combines a sandy shoreline with large public lawns, free parking, and family-friendly amenities.
Visitors enjoy: Expansive lawns that connect seamlessly to the beach, picnic tables and BBQ grills with benches, a children’s playground, restrooms and other public facilities, and the 1,500-foot Goleta Pier alongside the Beachside Bar & Grill. Goleta Beach provides over 70% of the free developed coastal access parking in the Goleta Valley, making it an essential community resource. While most visitors drive, nearly one-third of survey respondents reported arriving by bike or on foot, thanks to the coastal trail connecting nearby neighborhoods and UCSB.
Survey Purpose
The 2015 Goleta Beach Recreational User Survey was conducted to document how people use the park and beach. This information helps the County of Santa Barbara, community organizations, and advocates better understand coastal access needs and recreational use trends. The survey was carried out over five weekend days in March and April 2015, during which 494 visitors were randomly surveyed. Bilingual (English and Spanish) questionnaires were offered to ensure accessibility, and field staff also conducted visual counts to record recreational activity across both the park and beach areas.
Read the full survey in English ›
Leer la encuesta completa en Español ›
Key Findings
- Local use dominates: 80% of visitors live in Goleta or Santa Barbara; 20% travel from Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley, or even Los Angeles.
- Family-friendly recreation: Visitors use both the beach and the park’s developed facilities. Popular activities include beachgoing, fishing, picnics, group gatherings, and playground use.
- Diverse community: About 31% of survey respondents identified as Hispanic, and nearly half came from lower-income households. Lower-income households reported visiting about nine times more often per year than other households.
- Essential coastal access: 98% of respondents consider Goleta Beach County Park essential due to its free parking, accessibility, and wide range of amenities. 61% named it as their primary coastal access point.
Learn More
For a visual summary of the findings, read the Goleta Beach Recreational User Survey Pamphlet:
Download the Pamphlet ›
The survey and report were conducted by the Santa Barbara County Trails Council for the County of Santa Barbara Parks Division, with support from community volunteers and the Office of Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf.