UCSB Beach
Goleta, CA
UCSB Beach runs along both the west and east sides of the UC Santa Barbara campus, metered public parking at the end of Ocean Road on the west side and a separate access point on the east. It's a genuine campus beach, popular with students between classes as much as with visitors.
A genuinely convenient campus beach with real student life around it, though the metered parking and campus setting aren't built for a typical family beach day.
How we score beachesUse the west side Ocean Road access if you're driving, the metered parking there is the more reliable option compared to the east side lot.
A day use fee applies at metered lots on both sides of campus.
Stairs and paths lead from the campus parking areas down to the beach.
Dogs are allowed on leash, with extra enforcement near the snowy plover reserve area.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Goleta coast.
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