We recently had the pleasure of visiting the seaside town of Goleta. It’s an easy drive from the Bay Area, perfect for a weekend getaway. Located minutes from Santa Barbara, it has it has a charm and laid back vibe all it’s own. Goleta is famous for it’s lemon orchards and roots in the agriculture industry. Their annual Lemon Festival is a must for all you lemon lovers. In the couple of days we spent there we had the chance to explore, relax, and eat to our hearts content.
Stay
The Kimpton Goodland is a destination in itself. We love the decor and style of this motel style hotel. You are welcomed into the light airy lobby where you can check in and enjoy a glass of brew. There’s also a cool mini record room where you can pick out some fun tunes for your stay. Elsewhere on the property is a pool/game room, and indoor and outdoor bar, restaurant, and pool and hot tub area. What makes this hotel so fun is the little added details like lawn games, murals, vintage car and airstream which are all open to enjoy and explore.
Eat
Los Agaves was or first stop when first arriving to Goleta. We were craving some good Mexican food after our road trip and this satisfied our cravings. Located in a shopping center with lots of choices, Los Agaves has both indoor and outdoor seating available. They have an extensive menu with all the regular Mexican servings as well as some specialty items such as their Garden Burrito and Homemade Sopes. We decided to order wet burritos and were very satisfied, as well as stuffed!
The Outpost is located conveniently located in The Kimpton Goodland hotel. We stopped in for brunch and loved every bite. The Breakfast Burrito with braised chicken and mole sauce had amazing flavor. The Brioche French Toast was decadent and delicious to say the least. It was topped with Mexican chocolate sauce, cashew brittle, whipped cream! The Outpost was the perfect way to start off our morning in Goleta.
Jane Restaurant is the epitome of Central Coast Cuisine. The warm open air restaurant that leads out to a lovely outdoor seating area. Jane welcomes you in to relax and enjoy some yummy food with good company. The restaurant is family owned and operated and has a wonderful menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, pastas, pizza, and pretty much anything you would crave to eat on a warm summer’s evening. They also serve brunch on the Weekends and have a Happy Hour on the Weekdays.
Cajun Kitchen Cafe is another great brunch and lunch spot. Their menu features a mix of Cajun specialties like Gumbo and Jambalaya, or opt for something sweet like their Belgian Waffles topped with berries. Make sure not to leave without trying their beignets–delicious bite-size french-style doughnuts topped with powdered sugar!
See & Do
Goleta Beach Park is a must see when visiting the area. It has a lovely pier, water access, a restaurant, and paddle boards and kayak rentals. It’s a great place to visit all hours of the day. Enjoy a peaceful early morning walk along the pier, a sunny lunch at the waterfront restaurant, or catch a gorgeous sunset in the evening.
Lake Los Carneros is a fun place to spend some time outdoors while visiting Goleta. You can enjoy walking on the many paths, fishing, or bike riding. We loved the boardwalk bridges that sat just above the marsh. You can even spot some wildlife here like birds and frogs.
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