About Us:
The City of Goleta is located adjacent to the University of California at Santa Barbara, the City of Santa Barbara, the Pacific Coast, and the Santa Ynez Mountains. The newly incorporated City of Goleta is a General Law City with a Council-Manager form of government. The Council-Manager form is the system of local government that combines the political leadership of elected officials in the form of a Council with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The Goleta City Council serves as a legislative body and consists of five council members, one of whom is chosen to serve as mayor for a one-year term.
Under the City of Goleta’s form of government, the City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City and reports directly to the City Council. The City Manager appoints (subject to the City Council’s approval) the department heads of the City’s operating departments. The City Attorney is appointed and reports directly to the City Council.
City Departments include: Administrative Services, City Clerk, City Manager’s Office, Community Services, Finance, Planning and Environmental Services and Redevelopment and Neighborhood Services and Public Safety.
A Festive Celebration with New Lights, Special Honorees, and Family Fun! The 2024 Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade is almost here! Join us for this festive event hosted by the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club on Saturday, December 7, 2024,…
Read More »Event Also Kicked Off Beginning of GoodLandGoodShopping Season The holiday lights are ON in Old Town Goleta and close to 200 community members gathered last night, November 7th, in front of the Goleta Community Center to celebrate the historic…
Read More »Watch the Big Reveal Followed by a Holiday Stroll Down Hollister Avenue Shooting stars will soon light up Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta and you are invited to be there for the exciting moment when these colorful displays turn on for the…
Read More »Join Us for Coffee, Community & Birthday Cake! Saturday, February 3rd from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Brandon School You are invited to join us for the City of Goleta’s next Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad event on Saturday,…
Read More »Apply by January 26 and Attend Grant Application Workshop on January 9 Local non-profits serving Goleta residents are reminded to apply for some of the $250,000 available in grant funding from the City of Goleta. A competitive application process…
Read More »Goleta City Council Accepts $4.2 Million State Library Grant Goleta Valley Library to Undergo Facility Improvements The Goleta Valley Library will receive much-needed facility improvements thanks to a $4.278 million dollar California State Library…
Read More »Goleta City Council Thanks Outgoing Assistant City Manager City Tile Presented to Kristy Schmidt The Goleta City Council wrapped up its last meeting of the year, last night, December 19, 2023, with a special recognition. Outgoing Assistant City…
Read More »Join the City of Goleta for a Grant Application Workshop on January 9 Are you a part of a local non-profit serving Goleta residents or know someone who is? If so, the City of Goleta has $250,000 in grant funds available through a competitive…
Read More »The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care (CoC), in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and The Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SBACT), invites volunteers to participate in the countywide 2024 Homeless…
Read More »Congratulations to our former Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library Director Allison Gray, who was recognized with a Goleta’s Finest Award on her birthday. A formal celebration was held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara this past Friday night,…
Read More »Goleta residents have much to love about the winter months – crisp weather, spectacular sunsets, and the return of monarch butterflies to Ellwood Mesa. The City of Goleta monitors butterfly populations at Ellwood to provide insight into…
Read More »Ten Spots Left for Upcoming LEAD Goleta Academy The City’s LEAD Goleta Community Academy has ten spots left and we encourage you to take a few minutes now and sign up to be part of this unique, eye-opening experience. See for yourself all…
Read More »Home Preservation Program for Low-Income Homeowners The City of Goleta is sharing this information for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County. Habitat Santa Barbara: A Brush with Kindness Program Available to Low-Income Homeowners…
Read More »Limited Spots Available for Bilingual, Six Week Course Applications are being accepted for the upcoming LEAD Goleta Academy which begins in January. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss. Space is limited for this six-week bilingual…
Read More »Ghost Story Challenge Winners Announced! Celebrate Halloween with Spooky Stories Galore from Your Library We are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Ghost Story Challenge! Community members heard the news firsthand when they…
Read More »Welcome to the Library Reading Corner for November 2023 A Note from Interim Library Director Diane Satchwell: Dear Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library Users: Welcome to the November issue of the Library Reading Corner! This month is filled with…
Read More »In response to the growing need in the community, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has initiated its 2023 Turkey Drive campaign, aiming to collect 4,000 fresh or frozen turkeys, chickens, or hams. This heartfelt initiative seeks to provide…
Read More »The Goleta Valley Library has a new Children’s Librarian. Kaeley Christensen is a familiar face to the Goleta community having worked the past five years as the Library Media Specialist for Mountain View Elementary School in the Goleta Union…
Read More »2023 Goleta Holiday Parade Returns to Old Town on Saturday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m. Parade Organizers Accepting Entry Applications and Seeking Volunteers The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club is pleased to announce that the 2023 Old…
Read More »Homelessness is a big issue. Join the conversation by attending the Goleta Homelessness Regional Action Plan (RAP) virtual meeting this Monday, October 30 at its new time, 12:00 p.m. These monthly meetings have a new time to help make it easier for…
Read More »Welcome to the Library Reading Corner for October 2023 A Note from Interim Library Director Diane Satchwell: Dear Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library Users: What an exciting month this September has been for us at the library. We had the chance…
Read More »The Goleta Lemon Festival has announced its entertainment lineup for this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The live musical acts bring a blend of funk, jazz, country, and rock. In addition to live music and dance performances, catch the Pie Eating…
Read More »The non-profit organization Project O is proud to certify the City of Goleta as a “Blue City” through the Blue City Network (BCN), a certification process using a data-driven approach to assessing communities’ efforts towards…
Read More »September 23 from 9am – 12pm Become part of the solution to ocean pollution on Coastal Cleanup Day! Hosted by Explore Ecology, join fellow ocean lovers next Saturday, September 23 from 9:00 a.m. to noon to make Santa Barbara County’s…
Read More »Attend Reception September 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Goleta Valley Library’s Multipurpose Room at 500 N. Fairview Avenue has been transformed into a Creek Week Art Gallery from now through October 1. Stop by during open hours to check out the…
Read More »Join us from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on September 16 It’s going to be a tree-mendous day! Join the City of Goleta this Saturday, September 16 to help plant trees at our cherished Stow Grove Park (580 N. La Patera Lane). We will be there from…
Read More »Don't miss out on the festivities! Come out and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with us this Saturday, Sept 16 from 1-8pm in Old Town Goleta at 298 Pine Ave. This family event hosted by the Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is…
Read More »How Will You Celebrate? Watch Video Promo Don’t sit on the side banks this Creek Week. Now is the time to plan how you will get involved in the annual celebration of our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean. September 23 – 30 is Creek Week…
Read More »Can You Dig It? Help Plant 100 Trees at Stow Grove Park Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Get ready to grab a shovel and help plant 100 trees at our beloved Stow Grove Park (580 N. La Patera Lane) on Saturday, September 16 from…
Read More »More than 400 People Attended Event at Lake Los Carneros Dam More than 400 people enjoyed the #BestDamDinner they ever had at beautiful Lake Los Carneros in Goleta this past Saturday, August 19, 2023. Despite the impending storm, the sun was…
Read More »Stow Grove Park Master Plan Project Environmental Document Available for Review Public Comment Period Open Two More Weeks through Aug. 31 Two weeks remain in the public comment period for the Stow Grove Park Master Plan Project environmental…
Read More »2023 Summer Reading Program Finishes Strong Program at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries Celebrates Literacy and Community Togetherness The numbers for the 2023 Summer Reading Program are in and show that reading soared this summer. The…
Read More »Creek Week Art Contest Submissions Due in Three Weeks Bring Your Goleta Inspired Artwork to the Goleta Valley Library Sept 1-8 If you love art and you love Goleta, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to get creative. In honor of Creek…
Read More »Library Reading Corner - August 2023 Reminder to stay well-read and well-informed! If you haven't already, make sure to check out the latest issue of the Library Reading Corner for August 2023. Beat the heat! Stay cool and check out all the great…
Read More »Library Reading Corner - August 2023 Reminder to stay well-read and well-informed! If you haven't already, make sure to check out the latest issue of the Library Reading Corner for August 2023. Beat the heat! Stay cool and check out all the great…
Read More »The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is excited to present a series of “Back to School Health Fair” events hosted at three of our Health Care Centers throughout the county during National Health Center Week. The “Back…
Read More »Includes Sites for Rezoning from Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Sessions The Goleta City Council and Planning Commission held three Joint Study Sessions (July 20, 25, and 31) to receive feedback regarding rezoning of parcels…
Read More »Welcome to the Library Reading Corner for August 2023! A Note from Interim Library Director Diane Satchwell: Dear Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library Users: Let me introduce myself. I have been appointed as the Interim Library Director. I have…
Read More »Goleta’s Dam Dinner is Just One Month Away on Saturday, August 19 New Longer Time 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam We hope you are getting as excited as we are about Goleta’s Dam Dinner which is coming up one…
Read More »City of Goleta residents care about their community as was evidenced by the great turnout this past Saturday, July 15, 2023, for the City’s second neighborhood Coffee and Community (Café y Comunidad) event. More than 60 people gathered…
Read More »Record-Breaking 300 "Stuffies" Attend Sleepover Weekend at Goleta Valley Library Our stuffed animal friends who have helped people of all ages fall asleep had a chance to take the weekend off and let loose thanks to the creative team at Goleta…
Read More »The City of Goleta now has a roadmap to guide the City’s efforts to support the business community and create a sustainable Goleta economy for all. At last night’s June 27, 2023, Special City Council Meeting, the Council unanimously…
Read More »July is Parks and Recreation Month – How will You Celebrate? Download the City of Goleta’s Activity Calendar One of the best parts about living in Goleta is the number of beautiful parks, recreational opportunities, and open spaces for…
Read More »City of Goleta’s spring LEAD Goleta Community Academy is almost full and we want you to be a part of it! Don’t wait, apply today. After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, our popular LEAD (Learn, Empower, Advocate, Discuss) Goleta…
Read More »Adopted Housing Element Revisions Available for Review Based on preliminary feedback from the State on Goleta’s adopted Housing Element 2023-2031, the City has prepared revisions to the document. The adopted Housing Element 2023-2031 with…
Read More »Goleta Valley Library 50 Years at Fairview Celebration Wear Gray to Celebrate Library Director Allison Gray’s Retirement The Goleta Valley Library is an important community spot beloved by people of all ages. The City of Goleta is excited…
Read More »It’s officially Arbor Week in the City of Goleta. Last night, the Goleta City Council officially proclaimed March 7 – 14, 2023, as City of Goleta Arbor Week. To recognize the special week, two trees were also planted at Stow Grove Park.…
Read More »Goleta City Council to Consider Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance on March 21 On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., the City Council will conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of an Ordinance to amend Title 17 (Zoning) of the Goleta…
Read More »If you haven't read the latest issue of the Monarch Press, take some time to do so now. There's a lot happening we don't want you to miss. Mark your calendars for the Goleta Valley Library's 50th Anniversary at Fairview THIS Saturday, March 11, the…
Read More »CommUnify Announces New $1.4M Water Assistance Program Up to a $2,000 one-time payment provided to qualified households through July 2023 CommUnify (formerly Community Action Commission/CAC) has announced a new $1.4 million Low Income Household…
Read More »More affordable housing is in Goleta’s future. After nine years of planning and consideration, the Goleta City Council last night, March 7, 2023, approved the Heritage Ridge residential project. The 332-unit apartment project, which includes…
Read More »Spring Into Action with Beautify Goleta on March 25th Volunteer for the City’s Community Cleanup Program The next Beautify Goleta community-wide cleanup event is coming up on Saturday, March 25! This one will focus on Hollister Avenue and…
Read More »March is hopping at the City of Goleta. There is so much happening, and we appreciate you taking the time to get caught up. Start by getting your calendar out for several important events this month and next, including the Goleta Valley…
Read More »Funding to be Used for Expanded Transit and Passenger Rail Service in Santa Barbara County California State Transportation Agency recently announced $2.5 billion to fund 16 ongoing public transportation projects statewide to expand transit and…
Read More »LEAD Goleta Community Academy Returns Apply Now to Participate, Space is Limited After a three-year hiatus, the City of Goleta is excited to bring back our popular LEAD Goleta Community Academy. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and…
Read More »Council Urges County to Allow More Time for Public Participation and to Address Concerns The Goleta City Council is urging the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to join the City in addressing housing issues together before submitting its…
Read More »Goleta Residents Can Qualify for Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Programs The City of Goleta is proud to be a member of the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Consortium and support Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County's…
Read More »Cox Charities to Award $20,000 in Grants to Santa Barbara Nonprofits Local nonprofits with programs focused on K-12 STEM education, conservation and sustainability, and military and veterans are encouraged to apply for a Cox Charities Community…
Read More »County Releases Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan for Public Comment Three Public Workshops Announced The County of Santa Barbara’s Community Services Department has released the draft 2030 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for public comment and it…
Read More »Comments on County's Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element Update Due on March 1 The deadline to comment on the County of Santa Barbara's Draft Housing Element Update is by 5:00 PM on March 1, 2023. To view the Draft Housing Element Update, please go…
Read More »The State Lands Commission, in collaboration with the City of Goleta, has removed the last two oil pier and caisson structures in the state located at Haskell’s Beach in Goleta. This milestone decommissioning project marks the end of oil…
Read More »In an effort to move Goleta into a more energy efficient future, the City has joined Carpinteria and the County of Santa Barbara in drafting a regional Reach Code. A Reach Code is a Building Code that has higher energy standards than the state of…
Read More »The weekend is almost here! Take some time to settle down with the latest issue of the Monarch Press. It's a great way to stay in the know about everything happening in Your City. Read the full issue now at www.goletamonarchpress.com. Enjoy! Click…
Read More »Goleta Beach County Park will partially reopen to the public today, February 9, 2023. Parking, BBQ grills, beach access, and restrooms will be open from sunrise to sunset in the area between the park entrance and pier. The parking lot at the far…
Read More »The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the launch of its refreshed City website (www.CityofGoleta.org) and Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries website (www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org) which are now mobile-friendly and more accessible. While…
Read More »Welcome to the February edition of the Monarch Press. This is one of our favorite months of the year as the City’s birthday is February 2. This year we turned 21 years old and have so much to be proud of. Thank you for being on this journey…
Read More »Goleta’s Community Resource Deputy (CRD) Ehren Rauch has a brand-new motor-assisted bicycle, or e-bike. The City purchased the e-bike for CRD Rauch to help enhance his patrol efforts in the City of Goleta. CRD Rauch came up with the idea to…
Read More »The Community Relations Deputy (CRD) Ehren Rauch has a new tool! The Goleta Police Department is joining the e-bike movement with the addition of a brand-new motor-assisted bicycles, or eBike, purchased by the City of Goleta. CRD Ehren Rauch came…
Read More »The City of Goleta is pleased to share that it received a $5.56 million grant for the Goleta Train Depot Project from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Supplemental Funding which is matched by a $1 million commitment of City…
Read More »The City of Goleta is pleased to report that a record amount of trash was collected at the first Beautify Goleta event of the year. Between the Self-Guided cleanup and Bulky Item Drop Off this past Saturday, January 28, 2023, more than 15,000 pound…
Read More »Valentine's Day is right around the corner and its the perfect time to show your #LocalLove for Goleta by shopping local! We encourage you to go to GoodLandGoodShopping.com to purchase digital gift cards for meals, services and more at locally owned…
Read More »View Video Slideshow to See How it Went A great turnout of community members gathered at Nectarine Park in Old Town this past Saturday morning ,January 21, 2023, for the City of Goleta’s first ever “Coffee & Community”…
Read More »This Saturday, January 21st in Sisquoc and Montecito In coordination with local, state and federal partners, the County of Santa Barbara is providing January 2023 Storm recovery and assistance resources throughout the County. These resources can…
Read More »The Goleta City Council unanimously adopted the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element at its January 17, 2023 City Council meeting. As a result, the City will submit its Housing Element to the State for review in advance of the February 15, 2023…
Read More »The City of Goleta would like to remind Goleta business owners and community members that the City’s Community Resource Deputy (CRD) is available to provide free assessments to Goleta businesses to help deter burglaries. Goleta business owners…
Read More »More Volunteers Needed! The final day to sign up to volunteer for the countywide 2023 Homeless Point-In-Time Count is January 19. This is the annual count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a given day. Volunteers are the…
Read More »Recovery and Assistance Resources Available to the Community In coordination with local, state and federal partners, the County of Santa Barbara has made Local Recovery and Assistance Resources available online through ReadySBC.org. Resources in…
Read More »The first-ever electric bike (e-bike) safety awareness day will take place on Thursday, Jan 19. The public is invited to Downtown Santa Barbara’s FitFest Jan. 19, from 5 p.m. - 8p.m. at the State Street Promenade at De La Guerra Street.…
Read More »With more rain on the way, the City of Goleta wants to remind the community about the three self-service sandbag stations that the City has provided for residents to protect their homes from storm damage. Thank you to our Public Works Department for…
Read More »The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire agencies and other public safety officials, has announced that as of 2:00 p.m. January 10, 2023, evacuation orders are lifted for most of the impacted areas of Montecito,…
Read More »Due to recent rainfall and the increased chance of future storms, Santa Barbara County Public Works will begin sediment deposit operations at Goleta Beach. The sediment deposit will start as soon as Wednesday, January 11, and will continue as needed…
Read More »Who Will Win the Grand Prize? Community members of all ages are invited to participate in the library’s 11th annual Winter Reading Program! The program began on January 3rd and will run for 8 weeks though February 28th. The program is open…
Read More »All Evacuation Orders Lifted for Santa Barbara County Burn Areas The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with fire agencies and other public safety officials, has announced that as of 9:30 a.m. January 5, 2023, all evacuation…
Read More »The countywide 2023 Homeless Point-In-Time Count is coming up on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. The final day to sign up to volunteer is January 19! The Point-In-Time Count is the annual count of individuals and families…
Read More »Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Award Nominations Now Open Nomination Deadline - Jan 3, 2023 The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is now taking nominations for the Regional…
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