Isla Vista is a quaint community in Santa Barbara County that borders one of the University of California campuses. This coastal community is where locals and tourists can bask in a balmy climate and serene settings. Get to visit its stunning beaches, museums, and parks, and marvel at the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Start your trip at Henley Gate, a scenic spot right beside the university. There are also plenty of local restaurants that offer delicacies and fusion cuisine. Are you interested in learning more about this destination? Scroll down and check out the best things to do in Isla Vista, California.
1. Catch the waves in Campus Point Beach
Campus Point Beach is also known as Goleta Point, a scenic beach and surfing spot within the University of California Santa Barbara. Students, locals, and tourists hang out here during the summer.
Surfers also visit this place for its relatively consistent waves all year round. If you are a fan of surfing, this beach is ideal for beginners. Don’t forget the shade from the cliffs, a superb spot to play in the sand. Pets are also welcome here.
Campus Point Beach
Address: Lagoon Road, Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
2. Enjoy the cool breeze in Sea Lookout Park
Sea Lookout Park is a large oceanfront park where visitors can hang out and have fun. If you’re fond of sunbathing and picnics — you’re in the right place. This area offers picnic tables, or you have the alternative to lay out a blanket on the grassy fields.
If you’re a sea creature lover, it’s a great spot to look out for whales. Parking is usually full during the school year, but you can find street parking spaces along Del Playa Drive, where you’ll be able to park for free.
Sea Lookout Park
Address: 6773 Del Playa Drive Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
3. Discover the wonders of nature in Coal Oil Point Reserve
Coal Oil Point Reserve is a sanctuary for research, education, and stewardship of protecting the beauty of nature. The reserve provides easy access to unique research and resources for experiment and teaching purposes.
It also offers book-guided field trips, seminars, training, and volunteering for people interested in the restoration of science. This center helps students, researchers, and the community to save our natural habitat.
Coal Oil Point Reserve
Address: Slough Rd, Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Website: Coal Oil Point Reserve
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
4. Go back in time in Anisq'Oyo Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Anisq'Oyo Park is one of the go-to places to visit in the neighborhood. Its name comes from the Chumash word that means “Isla Vista.” It’s a fitting name for a place in the heart of town with plenty of history, as it is also the first community-instituted park constructed.
The windmill within is a landmark that has been in place even before the park came to be. Don’t forget about the large pond — it’s the perfect place to have a picnic on a sunny day. The park also features Anisq'Oyo Amphitheater, which is available for rent.
Anisq'Oyo Park
Address: 920 Embarcadero del Mar, Goleta, CA 93117, United States
Opening hours: 6am to 9pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Have a relaxing day out in Deveraux Beach
Do you want to visit a place that boasts tide pools and a rich marine diversity? If so, make sure to visit Deveraux Beach near Coal Oil Point Reserve. This beach offers opportunities to spot whales, sea urchins, sea stars, and more, especially when the low tide exposes the tide pools.
Be careful as some parts of the beach are rocky. If you’re hungry after a day out in the sun, various restaurants are only a seven-minute drive from the beach.
Devereux Beach
Address: Slough Rd, Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Feel the dunes of Sands Beach
Do you want to feel the sand against your skin? Given the tides in Isla Vista, the sands can get pretty interesting. Sands Beach offers you amazing waves fitting for those who want to surf. It is near Coal Oil Point, Deveraux Beach, and the University of California Santa Barbara.
If you are a bird lover, you can catch glimpses of an endangered bird species, snowy plover, nesting on the dunes. While pets are welcome here, make sure they are on a leash to avoid disturbing the birds.
Sands Beach
Address: Slough Rd, Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Watch a show at Isla Vista Theater
Isla Vista Theater is a spacious place available for event rentals, hosting dance shows, movie screenings, concerts, and conferences. It offers two theaters connected to the lobby. The well-lit outdoor courtyard is an ideal reception area for your guest to relax before your event begins.
You can also catch scheduled shows in the theater, including Magic Lantern Films that feature critically acclaimed movies every Friday night and Monday night.
Isla Vista Theater
Address: 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista, CA 93117, United States
Have fun in Isla Vista
Isla Vista offers plenty of activities to try and places to visit that are not only for students. This coastal destination in Santa Barbara County also lures visitors for its beaches, historical parks, and more. Have fun in Isla Vista when you visit California.
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