Haskell's Beach

Another Goleta beach is Haskell's Beach near the Bacara. This might win an award for cleanest beach because of its proximity to the hotel. 

Directions: If you are headed "north" on 101, exit Winchester Canyon and head straight onto Calle Real, turn left onto Cathedral Oaks over the freeway and a quick right onto Hollister Ave. Follow Hollister until you see a sign that says beach access and points you to a parking lot near the Bacara tennis courts. Follow the footpath down to the beach. More info.

Pros
There are bathrooms (although they might be demolished soon). 
There are mostly calm waves.
It is generally not crowded though we have seen an increase this year.
There are showers (although they might be demolished soon).

There is a snack shop open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Cons
There is a walk to the beach from the parking lot.
This is out of the way for most people.

Parking is limited on a busy day. Parking and walking to the beach it is not easy to socially distance.

Sometimes access is tricky.

Looking west toward the Bacara Hotel.

Looking east toward Santa Barbara.

Beach house with showers and bathrooms

Beach House on the Water

Related Posts:

Summer of the Beaches

Summer of the Beaches II

Ellwood Butterfly Preserve

Santa Barbara Shores Park

Beach Packing List

Goleta Beach

Our family's go-to beach has been the closest one: Goleta Beach. Until recently, we went to the area near the playground, so we could have both the beach and playground as an option, but many friends recommend the area left of the pier for going to the beach only. So we tried it and liked it.

Directions: Turn left onto Fairview and follow it past the airport (it will turn to the right--James Fowler Rd, then left --Moffett Place, then left again--Sandspit Rd before you reach the beach). More info.

Goleta Beach (Left of the Pier)
Pros
It is centrally located for Goletans.
The walk with all of your stuff is short.
Parking is generally good, but it can be crowded on the weekends in summer with restaurant traffic.
There are bathrooms.
It is further away from the group areas. It is easier to social distance in 2020.
The waves are generally calm.

Cons
The beach is non-existent when the tide is in so you might want to check the tide charts.
There are no rinse areas like showers.
It is closer to the slough (if that grosses you out).

East toward More Mesa

West toward the Goleta Pier

Goleta Beach (Right of the pier)
Pros
It is still centrally located for Goletans.
There is plenty of parking.
The playground is there for park and beach play.
There are bathrooms.
The beach is there, even at high tide.
The waves are generally calm.

Cons
There is a longer walk to the beach with your stuff.
It is right next to the group areas which can be rowdy. 
The beach area can be more crowded over here. It is harder to social distance in 2020.

West toward Campus Point

East toward the Goleta Pier

Related Posts:

Summer of the Beaches

Summer of the Beaches II

Campus Point

Goleta Beach Playground

Summer of the Beaches

So several friends have asked in the last week what my quest for summer 2016, so with no further ado... we are visiting beaches of the Santa Barbara area! Unlike last summer, I don't think I will visit all the area beaches because a beach trip is a lot more work than a park visit. And we have so many area beaches. (Don't believe me? Check this site out!) We will start with the top ones recommended by Facebook friends (*) and John Dickson. I am working on a post with the best beach going tips, but here is the list of beaches!

Santa Barbara Beaches
Carpinteria Beach*

Padardo Beach *
Butterfly Beach*

East Beach

West Beach

Leadbetter Beach

Hendry's Beach/Arroyo Burro*

Goleta Beach*

Haskall's Beach*
El Capitan Beach
Refugio Beach

Monte Vista Park (Carpinteria)

Monte Vista Park is a nice expanse of space with walking paths and a dog run area. It has a 2-5 and a 5-12 play structure over wood chips. The 2-5 area has 3 slides, a climbing area and a frog spring riding toy. The 5-12 play structure has 4 slides, 4 climbing areas, and monkey bars. There are also toddler and regular swings. It is located in Carpinteria off Bailard near Via Real.

Pros
There are bathrooms.
There is a climbing creek area (dry when we were there).
Well groomed dirt paths for running, biking and scootering. 

Cons
The equipment is somewhat dated. There were more kids in the creek than on the equipment the day we were there.

5-12 play structure

2-5 play structure

Regular swings

Toddler Swings

5-12 play structure (back view)

2-5 play structure (back view)

Creek area

Walking Paths

Bohnett Park

Bohnett Park got new play equipment in May 2016!

Of the parks I remember from childhood, Oak Park and Bohnett Park stand out. Bohnett has been redone, so it was a fun place to rediscover with my girls. The main park is still on San Pasqual St near Anapamu, but a pocket park has been added connecting though to San Andreas and is designed artistically like a house.  This is located on the Westside near the Boys and Girls Club. The play equipment is new (2016) and includes a 5-12 play structure, swings (toddler and regular) and a climbing structure over a rubber mat. This structure is for climbers and has 3 slides, bridges, a steering wheel and 3 climbing areas that look like a tree or rock. 

Pros
There are bathrooms.
There is a creek (it actually had water in this drought) running through the center. This might be a con for you!
The pocket park is very artistic and there are lots of small, hidden things to discover. 

Cons
The play equipment was very high for littler kids and is not toddler friendly.
There was a lot of trash (cigarettes, etc) here.
This park was busy! There were a lot of kids here on a summer weekday afternoon.

Double slide on the 5-12 play structure

Climbing Area

Climbing Tree

Play structure (side view)

Swings

Climbing Structure

Mural on the bathrooms

Soccer Field with the Boys and Girls Club at the far end

Creek

Pocket part on San Andreas

The Promise Walk

We ran 4k and raised $770! (E had a great time. I promise.)

One of the goals on my 40 year bucket list was to Walk in the Promise Walk down in San Diego. There are only two walks in California yearly and this seemed like a good one for a fun family weekend. The Promise Walk support preeclampsia research, education and awareness. Preeclampsia is a disorder present in 5-8% of pregnancies. Normally it is diagnosed through the presence of protein in the urine or elevated blood pressure. It is one of the leading causes of premature birth. You can read about my journey here. My next step will be to join the Preeclampsia Registry and next year do a virtual walk locally here with others who have had the disorder. For more information, you can visit the Preeclampsia Foundation website or watch their 3 minute video. Thank you for all the support through comments, questions and money donated!

Parks for Siblings

University Circle Park in Noleta

As we approach summer, I have been thinking of the parks that are great for bigger and smaller kids. My girls are almost 6 and 2 1/2, so some playgrounds definitely work better than others. For me, the park that is ideal for us has equipment that is suitable for little kids, but also enough equipment to interest big kids too.  Perhaps parents with kids closer in age will think of other parks (please chime in with comments).

Santa Barbara
Alameda Park (Kid's World)
Chase Palm Park (Shipwreck Playground)
Dwight Murphy Park
Elings Park
La Mesa Park
Oak Park
Parque de los Ninos
Shoreline Park
Stevens Park
Willowglen Park

Noleta
Calle Barquero
Tucker's Grove
University Circle Park

Santa Barbara County 
Sunny Fields Park
Tomol Interactive Play Area
 
Goleta (including Isla Vista)
Bella Vista Open Space
Girsh Park
Goleta Beach Park
Stow Grove Park
Wallis Park