Guidebook for Goleta
Food Scene
Chads Cafe
216 West Cabrillo Boulevardyummy non-pretentious breakfast right on the beach
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrGreat seafood, beautiful setting on the beach
Dune Coffee Roasters
528 Anacapa Stgood coffee close to me. Trendy, but good.
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StBest tacos and authentic mexican
some of the best Mexican/south american food ever! Not the cheapest, but excellent quality.
103 locals recommend
Los Agaves
2911 De La Vina Stsome of the best Mexican/south american food ever! Not the cheapest, but excellent quality.
Lilly's Taqueria
310 Chapala Styummy tacos close to my house
Nikka Ramen
5701 Calle Realdelish ramen bowls and other appetizers.
90s throwback..used to live in the area, so I'm biased but I LOVE this locals only spot. they have good coffee beans, but it's not your typical hipster trendy cafe. It reminds you of 90s cafes with mismatched furniture, a big fireplace, puzzles, games, art work.
18 locals recommend
Java Station
4447 Hollister Ave90s throwback..used to live in the area, so I'm biased but I LOVE this locals only spot. they have good coffee beans, but it's not your typical hipster trendy cafe. It reminds you of 90s cafes with mismatched furniture, a big fireplace, puzzles, games, art work.
This place is a bit of a splurge and reservations required. Not everything they do is outstanding, but most of it is. I especially recommend their octopus appetizer. Skip the cioppino though.
45 locals recommend
Toma Restaurant & Bar
324 W Cabrillo BlvdThis place is a bit of a splurge and reservations required. Not everything they do is outstanding, but most of it is. I especially recommend their octopus appetizer. Skip the cioppino though.
This is a splurge, but everything they do is outstanding and the staff is VERY wine-knowledgeable
58 locals recommend
bouchon Santa Barbara
9 West Victoria StreetThis is a splurge, but everything they do is outstanding and the staff is VERY wine-knowledgeable
You MUST try McConnell's if you never have before. Best ice cream EVER! I recommend the salted caramel chocolate chip, but everything they have is stellar.
53 locals recommend
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
728 State StYou MUST try McConnell's if you never have before. Best ice cream EVER! I recommend the salted caramel chocolate chip, but everything they have is stellar.
tapas. not cheap...unless you don't eat much. Cool spot and atmosphere.
8 locals recommend
Cadiz Restaurant & Lounge
509 State Sttapas. not cheap...unless you don't eat much. Cool spot and atmosphere.
C'est Cheese
825 Santa Barbara StIf you like cheese...
If you're going to brave isla Vista, Woodstock's has great pizza. They also deliver if you want to stay put.
Woodstock's Pizza Isla Vista
928 Embarcadero del NorteIf you're going to brave isla Vista, Woodstock's has great pizza. They also deliver if you want to stay put.
Best brunch and cute atmosphere. They have everything… Benedict’s, mimosas, fresh juices, and their own delicious baked goods.
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
Best brunch and cute atmosphere. They have everything… Benedict’s, mimosas, fresh juices, and their own delicious baked goods.
Drinks & Nightlife
nice, dress up or dress down, lively bar, but plenty of space and seating
11 locals recommend
Blush Restaurant + Lounge
630 State Streetnice, dress up or dress down, lively bar, but plenty of space and seating
Good beer and food. If busy, the place next door is cool too
37 locals recommend
Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop
116 Santa Barbara StGood beer and food. If busy, the place next door is cool too
Good Bar
5650 Calle RealCute trendy-but-casual bar in a cute, modern, quirky hotel.
Not JUST Kunin, but all the tasting rooms in the FUNK ZONE. La Fond, Riverbench, Valley Project are the best ones. Oceana has live music (but not my favorite wine).
13 locals recommend
Kunin Wines Tasting Room
831 E Yanonali StNot JUST Kunin, but all the tasting rooms in the FUNK ZONE. La Fond, Riverbench, Valley Project are the best ones. Oceana has live music (but not my favorite wine).
Draughtsmen Aleworks
53 Santa Felicia Drgood beer, closest microbrewery to my house
M Special Brewing Company
6860 Cortona DrThis one has a nice outdoor area
Nectar Eatery and Lounge
20 E Cota StNice loungy bar with a balcony area.
Arts & Culture
ART WALK every Sunday, ends mid afternoon. Go east of Stern's wharf on Cabrillo. Paintings, sculpture, hand made goods of all kind, from affordable to high end. Must see!
48 locals recommend
Stearns Wharf
217 Stearns WharfART WALK every Sunday, ends mid afternoon. Go east of Stern's wharf on Cabrillo. Paintings, sculpture, hand made goods of all kind, from affordable to high end. Must see!
Shopping
Outdoor shopping mall. Mostly has chains, but you can park here, walk along state street to get local botiques and other shops.
112 locals recommend
Paseo Nuevo
651 Paseo NuevoOutdoor shopping mall. Mostly has chains, but you can park here, walk along state street to get local botiques and other shops.
Essentials
Smart & Final Extra!
7090 Hollister AveParks & Nature
lots of options on this trail, but has great views of the ocean most of the hike.
46 locals recommend
Inspiration Point
lots of options on this trail, but has great views of the ocean most of the hike.
You can get to Knapp's castle from the front trail, or drive around back (shadier behind the mountain). Freemont trail or snyder trail will take you there. This is the coolest summit to an awesome hike; ruins of an early 1900s castle that burned down.
6 locals recommend
Knapp's Castle
You can get to Knapp's castle from the front trail, or drive around back (shadier behind the mountain). Freemont trail or snyder trail will take you there. This is the coolest summit to an awesome hike; ruins of an early 1900s castle that burned down.
Not so much a hike, but awesome place to go hang out, watch the sunset and have a great view of Santa Barbara.
27 locals recommend
Lizards Mouth Rock
Not so much a hike, but awesome place to go hang out, watch the sunset and have a great view of Santa Barbara.
take a boat here. You usually have to leave from Ventura. You can camp or just take a day trip.
9 locals recommend
Anacapa Island
take a boat here. You usually have to leave from Ventura. You can camp or just take a day trip.
Scuba dive or whale watching!! About 45 minutes away will get you to Ventura, where you can take a boat to go whale watching. There might be some in santa barbara, too, although possibly more expensive.
33 locals recommend
Island Packers Cruises
1691 Spinnaker DrScuba dive or whale watching!! About 45 minutes away will get you to Ventura, where you can take a boat to go whale watching. There might be some in santa barbara, too, although possibly more expensive.
So you're clearly not staying here if you're staying at my place...but fun to go check it out. Fancy resort. They have a lunch spot by the pool with gorgeous ocean views and you can access the public beach through there where they might have food trucks serving food and drinks. They also have a wine tasting room. You can hang out at the beach there, too, and use their showers and stuff.
31 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
8301 Hollister AveSo you're clearly not staying here if you're staying at my place...but fun to go check it out. Fancy resort. They have a lunch spot by the pool with gorgeous ocean views and you can access the public beach through there where they might have food trucks serving food and drinks. They also have a wine tasting room. You can hang out at the beach there, too, and use their showers and stuff.
East Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StFun beach hang out.
This beach has it all. Buzzy fun atmosphere, rentals nearby, near shoreline park which is a beautiful walk, restaurants walking distance including one right on the beach. Close to the funk zone with all the wine tasting.
Leadbetter Beach
This beach has it all. Buzzy fun atmosphere, rentals nearby, near shoreline park which is a beautiful walk, restaurants walking distance including one right on the beach. Close to the funk zone with all the wine tasting.
Sightseeing
Condor Express Whale Watching
Whale watching boats are tons of fun
Harbor Way
Harbor Wayrent kayaks, paddleboards, or just hang out and grab a bite.