Attractions and Places To See around Goleta - Top 20

Although this hike starts in a residential neighborhood, it quickly heads up into the hills to provide positively inspiring — get it? — views of the Santa Barbara coastline. The trail is rocky, so it's not boring — and even with a little shade in the steepest parts of the trail, you may want to save this one for a cooler part of the day.

One of the most beautiful government buildings in the United States, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a working courthouse. We are encouraged to explore what the grounds have in store for us. Here we find the sunken gardens where many weddings are held, an elevator to the 85-foot tall “El Mirador” bell tower with panoramic views of downtown Santa Barbara, many hand-painted rooms full of detail, and many wrought iron handrails and window coverings that make the courthouse what it is - spectacular. We open one of the many doors, behind which a court hearing is currently underway. We sit on the back bench and listen for a few minutes. Two felony handcuffed and shackled prisoners are paraded right past us.

If you want a firsthand look at one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country, look no further than the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Designed in the Spanish Colonial style and completed in 1929, the fully functional courthouse is a Santa Barbara landmark with its distinctive four-sided bell tower, red tile roofs, elegant arches and verdant sunken garden and grounds. On self-guided tours, visitors can get a visual history lesson through the intricate hand-painted murals, marvel at ornate wrought iron chandeliers and climb to the top of the bell tower for incredible panoramic views of Santa Barbara and beyond.

Discover the allure of Inspiration Point Trail in Santa Barbara. Winding through a residential area, this popular trail unveils a stunning viewpoint of the coastal beauty.

A portion of the shore of Goleta Bay is managed by the County of Santa Barbara, as the Goleta Beach County Park. The beach itself is partly man-made as sand was spread onto an existing sandspit in 1945. In 1949, the Federal Government granted Goleta Beach Park to Santa Barbara County. In 1953, the County granted the Park to the State of California. The State granted it back to the County in 1970. Known for its long fishing pier and sunbathing beaches, these 29 acres are often a destination for bicyclists on the area's paved trail system. Between the lively restaurant and BBQ picnic areas are volleyball, horseshoes, children's playgrounds, and free beach wheelchairs. The 1,500-foot pier in Goleta Beach County Park provides boaters, fishermen, and families out for a stroll, an engaging view of the Pacific coast. The Goleta Pier boat launch is available for public use on weekends and holidays. Paddle Sports Center is an authorized concessionaire that provides Kayaks, Stand-Up Paddle Board Rentals, Lessons, and Tours from Goleta Beach County Park. Open Seasonally from 10 am to 6 pm. https://www.countyofsb.org/813/Goleta-Beach-Park

Inspiration Point Trail leads you to a stunning viewpoint of the Santa Barbara coastline and surrounds. This is a popular trail in Santa Barbara, starting in a residential area with no parking lot, so you need to park along the road. The trail can be busy depending on the day, so it’s recommended to get there early, especially on a sunny day. Take water with you during summer, because the rivers can be totally dry.

Goleta Beach Park is a county run beach next to the University of California Santa Barbara. The park has a long sandy beach separated by a protective boulder barrier to keep the winter waves from eating away the beach. It offers a beachside cafe & bar, restrooms, volley ball courts, horseshoes, and plenty of picnic tables with grills.

Nueces Drive deadends at Atascadero Creek from both sides. Only bikers can continue, using the dedicated paved Obern Bike Trail