Daily Archives: February 3, 2026

Save-the-Date for Goleta’s Community State of the City

April 15 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

Mark your calendar for the City’s biggest night of the year! The Goleta Community State of the City is taking place on Wednesday, April 15 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). This event, in its ninth year, will have a new format. The Mayor and the entire City Council will be presenting on the City’s accomplishments and challenges. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available and light refreshments provided.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 5:00 p.m. to check out the City information tables. City staff will be available to talk about upcoming projects and programs. This is also an opportunity to mingle with the City Council, City staff, stakeholders and fellow Goletans. At 6:00 p.m. the main program begins featuring the Mayor and City Councilmembers giving a State of the City Address, followed by a Financial Update from Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet. The program ends with the popular Q&A session featuring City of Goleta Department Directors.

We hope you can join us for this important City event. Please tell your family and friends.

Drone Light Show Still Needs Donors

The return of Goleta’s Fourth of July Drone Light Show at Dos Pueblos High School will be here before you know it and we need your help! While the City has raised a portion of the funds needed, we still need additional sponsors to make this second year better than the first! We are planning a fun event and hope to get all of our community partners in place soon. If your business or organization is interested in supporting the Drone Light Show, let us know! Email Kelly Hoover at PIO@CityofGoleta.gov or fill out a brief online interest form at www.CityofGoleta.org/July4Sponsor.

The event will take place the evening of July 4, 2026, at the Dos Pueblos High School football stadium located at 7266 Alameda Avenue. In addition to the Drone Light Show itself, there will be music, activities, entertainment, food trucks and for the first time, a reserved seating section. Last year almost 6,000 people attended. Now that we know its popularity, we are looking to grow the event to accommodate the great turnout we experienced. Watch our video recap of the 2025 Drone Light Show event here: https://youtu.be/B3azqD2hx0U.

A huge thank you to Yardi Systems who was our first sponsor for the inaugural show in 2025 and has once again stepped up to be the first sponsor in 2026. The City is also grateful for returning sponsors Best, Best & Krieger, The Cederlof Family, Cottage Health, Deckers, Ergomotion, Fuel Depot and Point Market, Goleta Valley Historical Society, Santa Barbara Airbus, Santa Barbara Airport, Teledyne FLIR, True North Wealth Management and UCSB Athletics, as well as new sponsors American Riviera Bank, The Eng-Denbaars Family, Leonardo DRS, and SEE International. Sponsors help cover the costs of the drone light show itself, security, audio/visual, custodial services, entertainment and more. Who will our next sponsors be? We can’t wait to thank you!

Attention Goleta Business Owners: Renew Your Business License

2026 is well underway. Have you renewed your Goleta business license? Remember, doing so can help keep your business in compliance and avoid late filing fees. You can renew using our online portal. Thank you for being a part of what makes Goleta a great place to live, work, and play!

Special Notice: Old Town Initiatives Fee Waiver

As a reminder, businesses located within the Old Town Initiatives area may qualify for a fee waiver on their business license fee through February 28, 2026. Check the Old Town Initiatives Map to see if you qualify.

Eligibility Guidelines:

  • Businesses in the Old Town Initiatives area may qualify. Select “Old Town Initiatives – Fee Waiver” before checkout.
  • Outside the Area? Fees must be paid. Incorrect fee waiver selection delays processing, and fees will still be required.
  • If your business license expires on or before February 28, 2025, you are eligible for the fee waiver.
  • Paid by Mistake? If eligible, you may request reimbursement after staff review.

If you have any questions, our business license team is happy to assist you by phone at (805) 562-5503, by email at businesslicense@cityofgoleta.gov, or in person at City Hall (130 Cremona Drive).

Show Some Love to Goleta Businesses

Valentine’s Day is almost here and it’s the perfect time to show some love to the many businesses that call Goleta home. Shopping local helps strengthen our economy, supports neighbors and families, and preserves the unique character that makes Goleta special.

With over 1,000 local businesses listed, www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com is your go-to resource for discovering and supporting locally owned businesses throughout Goleta. Whether you’re looking for a favorite restaurant, a trusted service, or a new place to explore, the website makes it easy to keep your support local year-round.

If you’re a local business and not yet part of GoodLandGoodShopping, it’s not too late to join. Signing up is easy—view our video and follow the simple steps.

#GoodLandGoodShopping Local Spotlights

We want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite store, restaurant, or go-to business that deserves recognition? Your recommendations help us highlight the special offerings and passionate people behind Goleta’s locally owned businesses.

To nominate a business to be featured, please email PIO@CityofGoleta.gov with the business name, a brief description of why it’s special to you, and any additional details you’d like us to share.