Goleta Beach welcomes back visitors with its partial reopening; more work still ahead

Published February 13, 2023 10:56 am

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Goleta Beach is partially open again but it's still in need of work after the January King Tide and storm surge impacts.

The Santa Barbara County Community Services Department, Parks Division partially reopened Goleta Beach County Park to the public from sunrise to sunset daily, on February 9.

Closures continue on the far east end and the pier.

Open areas include parking, BBQ grills, beach access, and restrooms.

It will still take weeks of repair for those projects to be completed.

Work continues to allow trucks full of dirt from debris basins to unload the sediment into the surfline where it can be moved down the coast and replenish area that were washed out during the last month.

That work will take place Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For users of the beach it is a popular place for dog walks, fitness, and over all outside recreation or a picnic.

"It's good to be here, it is always nice to have this pretty view and chill out," said UCSB student and beach visitor Sandy Gallo.

Her mom Sandra was visiting and said, "we were wondering what's going on. What they are going to make and also how the water is looking a little muddy. Maybe there is going to be more space for people"

While some of the beach has reopened the very popular Goleta Beach pier where people like to stroll or do some fishing off the end continues to remain closed.

George Papador has lived in the area since the early 70's. "I actually launch my boat off of that (pier) which is awesome."

He was concerned about access with all the rocks on the beach these days. Looking for a path he said, "a place where you can go out in the water without stepping over rocks look at these shoals here. You need pathways to get to the beach."

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has an emergency order in place from the weather events. Federal and state resources are assisting in the cleanup and recovery with personnel and funding.

John Palminteri