Things to do in Goleta

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Panoramic View of More Mesa Shores, Santa Barbara County
A golf course with a lake, trees, and the ocean in the background.
A beach with a red car and a blue bag in the trunk.
Devereux Beach in Goleta California
A coastal landscape with a dirt path leading to the beach, a large tree on a cliff, and the ocean in the background.

Things to do

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

￥4,479
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
Helicopter Beach Tour

Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour

￥11,037
per adult
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

￥6,078
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

￥3,999
per adult
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy
Santa Barbara Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar

Santa Barbara Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar

￥10,397
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Full Bar
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Rental

Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Rental

￥7,198
per adult
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Rental
Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor

Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

￥14,236
per adult
Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

￥5,598
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

￥2,462
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
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Most popular activities in Goleta

Tours & day trips

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Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.2 out of 10 with 18 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥6,128 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 49 activities
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Activity duration is 7 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥22,415 per adult
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History & culture

See all 28 activities
Los Angeles Day Trip to Santa Barbara via Oxnard-Amtrak Coast Starlight

Los Angeles Day Trip to Santa Barbara via Oxnard-Amtrak Coast Starlight

Activity duration is 10 hours and 55 minutes
6.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥35,477 per adult
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Water activities

See all 10 activities
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 45 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥9,514 per adult
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Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 5 activities
Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥8,869 per adult
Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Goleta

Discover the most popular places to visit in Goleta

Santa Barbara, United States - Febriary 16, 2018: Panorama Skyline of University California Santa Barbara seen from across Goleta Bay off Goleta Pier. Blue water and sky. Henley Gate on the right.

University of California, Santa Barbara

4.5/5(592 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit University of California, Santa Barbara, during your travels in Goleta. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or seek out the biking trails.

University of California, Santa Barbara
El Capitan State Beach, Shutterstock ID 735550597, Purchase Order: SP-1891 Wave 0, Client/Licensee: Hotels.com

El Capitan State Beach

4.5/5(149 reviews)

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at El Capitan State Beach during your travels in Goleta? While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

El Capitan State Beach
Isla Vista beach scene California

Isla Vista Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Isla Vista Beach during your trip to Goleta? Stroll along the beaches or discover the area's sunsets.

Isla Vista Beach
A golf course with a lake, trees, and the ocean in the background.

Sandpiper Golf Club

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Play a round of golf in Goleta at Sandpiper Golf Club, and enjoy other activities such as biking. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

Sandpiper Golf Club
A group of Birds play on the ocean surf - Blue skies on a summer day

Refugio State Beach

4.5/5(21 reviews)

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Refugio State Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Goleta. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Refugio State Beach
Gaviota Beach

Gaviota Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Gaviota Beach during your trip to Goleta?

Gaviota Beach
Nojoqui Falls Park

Nojoqui Falls Park

4.5/5(17 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Nojoqui Falls Park, a lovely green space in Goleta. Check out the casinos and wineries in this walkable area.

Nojoqui Falls Park
Gaviota State Park

Gaviota State Park

You can take time to visit Gaviota State Park during your travels to Goleta. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Gaviota State Park

UC SB Events Center

Catch an event at UC SB Events Center during your trip to Goleta. Take in the live music and sunsets in the area.

UC SB Events Center

Where to stay in Goleta

Find the best Goleta areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Goleta
Learn more about Goleta
roca, naturaleza, olas, la costa, azul, vista del mar, costa, olas, gemas, viajando, oleaje, verano, pedregoso, isla, el perello, tarragona

Isla Vista

You'll enjoy the beaches and live music in Isla Vista. You might want to make time for a stop at UC SB Events Center or Isla Vista Beach.

Old Town

Old Town might not have many top sights, but UC SB Events Center and Goleta Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Railroad tracks over bridge at Gaviota Beach on the central coast of California United States

Gaviota

If you're spending some time in Gaviota, Gaviota Beach and Gaviota State Park are top sights worth seeing.

Fairview

If you're spending some time in Fairview, Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens and Zodo's - Bowling and Beyond are top sights worth seeing.

Ellwood

While visiting Ellwood, you might make a stop by sights like Sandpiper Golf Club and Goleta Butterfly Grove.

Popular day trips from Goleta

A vineyard on a rolling hillside in early summer with live oak trees and mountains beyond, Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton, California, United States of America

Buellton

La Purisima Conception mission CA

Lompoc

SOLVANG, SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA -2021 The shops of this historic Danish tourist community can seen in this 22021 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, California,

Solvang

Patchwork Of Vineyards Is Seen In Early Summer, Trees, Farm Buildings And Rolling Hillsides In The Background, Santa Ynez Valley; Los Olivos, California, United States Of America

Santa Ynez

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

Frequently asked questions

Is Goleta worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Goleta is explore Stearns Wharf. Tick this major attraction off your to-do list, then experience more of this area's markets and family-friendly attractions.
How do I spend a day in Goleta?
Once you've visited leading attractions like Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, spend some time discovering Goleta's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Goleta?
The top tourist attraction in Goleta is Stearns Wharf, so make sure to put it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Goleta?
Three days in Goleta is enough to visit the city's key attractions. Many travelers stay for two days on average. Hendrys Beach, Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park and More Mesa Beach are among the most popular sights. Want to see more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Santa Barbara.
Is Goleta a walkable city?
If discovering on foot sounds like your kind of vacation, Goleta is an ideal destination. Find major sights, including More Mesa Beach, within walking distance of downtown. You can also enjoy a stroll through Isla Vista, a vibrant neighborhood located about 3 kilometers from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Goleta with kids?
Whether you're traveling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, a fun-filled itinerary takes your trip to the next level. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Goleta with kids.

What to do in Goleta for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Goleta, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at UC SB Events Center or Cold Spring Tavern.
Are there free things to do in Goleta?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Goleta. If you're in need of ideas, get some tips from a local tour guide. Hendrys Beach is a great spot for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.