California Central Coast: 24 Hours in Goleta

Conveniently positioned between Los Angeles and Monterey, Goleta offers the same gorgeous scenery as neighboring Santa Barbara but with much smaller crowds.

The town has a population of just under 31,000 and wasn’t incorporated as a city in Santa Barbara county until 2002! These days, Goleta is known as a relaxed little town with great access to outdoor adventures, farm-fresh produce, miles of beachfront and moderate temperatures year round.

Goleta is a great little place to spend a couple days taking in the views (and fresh seafood), but that’s not all it has to offer. The town’s origins as an agricultural hub have led to its present-day lineup of independent restaurants, bars, and cafés—and that’s before you’ve even hit the beach!

While I was there filming a video series for go Goleta, I got a taste of all the bounties it had to offer. Here are some of the top things to do, see and eat with 24-hours in Goleta, from sitting down for breakfast to tucking in at…