Daily Archives: May 1, 2026

Rattlesnake Safety Info

Rattlesnake season has arrived early here on the Central Coast. As temperatures rise, wildlife activity increases across Goleta and nearby communities.

Rattlesnakes are a natural part of our local environment and typically avoid people. Most bites occur when a snake feels threatened, which is why awareness and prevention are key.

When spending time outdoors:

  • Stay on clear, well-used paths
  • Watch where you step
  • Look before you reach
  • Give wildlife space

Let’s continue to keep our community safe while respecting local wildlife. 

For more info, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Reptiles/Rattlesnake.

Pictured: Rattlesnake encounter on Romero Canyon Trail in Santa Barbara County on April 4, 2026. Photo credit: Angeline Foshay

Code Compliance Corner: Vegetation and Landscaping Standards

As the rainy season comes to an end, and vegetation springs into bloom, it is a good time to review the City of Goleta standards related to vegetation and landscaping. Maintaining vegetation not only ensures properties are in compliance with City Standards, it also supports a safe and well-kept community.

The City of Goleta Municipal Code defines vegetation to means all weeds, stubble, brush, trees, grass, perennial or annual growth, cuttings, leavings or other vegetative material of any kind.

Under section 12.13.030, Public Nuisances Designated, the presence of overgrown, dead or decayed vegetation may be considered a public nuisance when it is allowed to accumulate or remain on a property.

When left unmaintained, vegetation can quickly become a concern. Overgrown plants may encroach into the public right-of-way, obstruct visibility or passage for pedestrians, or contribute to fire hazards, particularly during the drier months. Regular maintenance such as trimming, removal of dead material, and general upkeep can help prevent these issues and maintain the overall appearance of a neighborhood. Below are some examples of overgrown vegetation:

  

In addition to maintenance, the City also has standards related to landscaping in residential areas. GMC 17.07.030.B, Landscaping and Paving, requires that all required front and street-side setbacks be landscaped consistent with Chapter 17.34, Landscaping.

The code further provides that no more than 50 percent of these setback areas may be covered with impervious paving or other hardscape, including driveways and parking areas.

This standard is intended to maintain a balance between functional paved surfaces and landscaped areas. These landscaped areas contribute to neighborhood aesthetics, support drainage and stormwater absorption, and help maintain the natural beauty that defines Goleta’s residential communities.

By maintaining vegetation and preserving landscaped areas, residents play an important role in helping to keep Goleta safe, attractive, and welcoming for the entire community.

To learn more about the code sections referenced above, please visit the City of Goleta Municipal Code: https://ecode360.com/GO4931.

Green Room: What’s The Big Deal About Runoff?

Runoff carries pollutants. Water that doesn’t soak into the ground becomes runoff. The things we do every day in our homes, yards, and communities all impact runoff, including how we dispose of trash, maintain our vehicles, and care for our yards and gardens. Rain, over-watering, incorrectly adjusted sprinklers, and hosing off hard surfaces all cause runoff. Runoff picks up trash, dirt, yard debris, oil residue, pet waste, pesticides, and fertilizers and transports them into our watershed: rivers, creeks, lakes, and the ocean. These pollutants can cause harm to humans and wildlife. We can reduce runoff and pollution by following these 10 easy tips!

10 Easy Ways to Protect Our Watersheds:

In the Yard

  1. Clean up outside your home, including trash, leaves, yard clippings, and pet waste.
  2. Water the yard only as needed and avoid spraying streets, sidewalks, and driveways to prevent water from carrying pollutants directly into storm drains.
  3. Divert rain spouts and garden hoses away from paved surfaces. Provide landscaping next to sidewalks and driveways to help collect and filter rain runoff.
  4. Control erosion around your property to prevent dirt and debris from being carried into the storm drain.
  5. Read labels on pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides prior to use and follow instructions carefully. Try Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a less toxic alternative for yard pest management, and learn more about solving pest problems with less-toxic products at Our Water Our World.

Around the Car

  1. Wash your car on an unpaved area or take it to a commercial car wash where the wastewater will be treated.
  2. Maintain your car so that it won’t leak fluids onto roads/driveways. If leaks can’t be avoided, use drip pans. Clean up spills with absorbent materials, bag it and dispose of it in the trash or at a Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Dispose of waste vehicle fluids at a certified recycling facility (such as many auto parts stores) or the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

Around the House

  1. Keep paints, solvents, and other “toxic” chemicals off the ground and away from storm drains. Painting tools used with water-based paint can be rinsed in the sink. Take all unwanted paint and solvents (including waste from washing tools used with latex and oil-based paints) to a Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

Pet Waste

  1. Pet waste is not part of a healthy watershed. Be sure to pick it up when walking your dog. The watershed should only shed water. Find out the truth about dog poop.

Horses/Livestock

  1. Proper manure management can prevent pollutants from entering waterways and improve livestock health. Deposit waste in sturdy insect-resistant and seepage-free waste containers. Check out the Guide to Composting Horse Manure in English and Spanish.

Protecting our watershed does not require grand gestures; it just requires small, simple choices made every day. When we all pitch in, even tiny actions can make a big difference.

For more information on how you can help protect our watersheds, check out our Homeowner’s Guide in English and Spanish. 

Go Plastic Free Goleta!

With May and June arriving, ‘tis the season for high school and college graduations. As family and friends come together to celebrate, one common guest is hopefully conspicuously absent: plastic. The City of Goleta continues to reduce plastic pollution through the Plastic Free Goleta initiative, an ongoing effort that encourages residents and businesses to help protect our communities and environment from the dangers of single-use plastic waste by choosing eco-friendly alternatives.

Plastic Free Goleta is centered around the City’s comprehensive plastic reduction ordinance adopted in 2022, which established prohibitions on the sale, distribution, and use of several different kinds of single-use plastic and polystyrene products. Many of these items wind up in landfills or polluting our beaches and waterways and threatening local wildlife. Efforts to reduce single-use plastics reflect our City’s core value of environmental protection and help to keep our communities clean and healthy both for us and our wildlife neighbors for future generations to come.

Goleta’s plastic regulations cover several key areas:

  • Single-use foodware items including straws and utensils distributed or sold in the City cannot be made of plastic. Food service establishments and vendors are prohibited from giving customers single-use plastic foodware and are required to provide reusable utensils for on-site dining services. Reusables can reduce waste and cut costs for businesses and families. And if reusable utensils aren’t a viable option, single-use items made from other materials such as paper, wood, bamboo, or even edible materials like pasta are good alternatives with much less impact on the environment. Importantly, utensils made from bioplastics (including most plastics labeled “compostable”), PLA plastics, and #7 plastics are also banned under these rules.

  • Polystyrene is a non-recyclable material that poses significant hazards for wildlife health and the environment. Food products made from polystyrene, including rigid polystyrene or Styrofoam, are banned for sale and distribution within the City. Common examples include meat trays, red solo cups, egg cartons, plates, and food containers. Packing materials made of polystyrene like foam peanuts are also banned. These items can be made from many more sustainable alternative materials which pose less danger for local ecology and are easier to divert in the waste stream.

  • Balloons are both a safety risk and an environmental threat. They are a frequent source of marine debris which animals can mistake for food or become entangled with. Balloons made from Mylar/foil cause hundreds of power outages every year when they make contact with power lines. Goleta’s policy prohibits releasing balloons anywhere within the City, as well as the sale and distribution of balloons made of Mylar/foil. But that doesn’t have to spoil the party—celebrate responsibly this spring with bubbles, flowers, paper decorations or other creative choices!

We can all work together to make Goleta plastic free. Learn more about the impacts of plastic pollution, the City’s plastic regulations, and the alternatives available to replace common single-use plastic items, in our Plastic Free Goleta Guide.

You can also learn more about our plastic policies and the City’s broader Sustainability program at www.CityofGoleta.org/PlasticFreeGoleta. If you have any questions about our programs, please contact us at sustainability@cityofgoleta.gov. Thank you for doing your part for Plastic Free Goleta!

Plant, Learn, and Restore Habitat at Ellwood Mesa

Volunteer Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Spring is the perfect time to get outside, connect with nature, and make a meaningful impact close to home. The City of Goleta, Ellwood Friends, and the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade are looking for volunteers on Saturday, May 30 at Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Butterfly Preserve.

Community members of all ages are invited to take part in hands-on restoration days, helping care for the landscape that supports monarch butterflies and other local wildlife. With the season in full bloom, this is an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors while contributing to a treasured local open space.

Volunteers will plant habitat-supporting trees and native plants, remove invasive species, and learn about Ellwood Mesa’s unique ecology through engaging, hands-on activities. Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a returning participant, this event provides a rewarding and accessible way to get involved.

Ellwood Mesa is one of California’s most important monarch overwintering sites. While monarch populations fluctuate each year, restoring and maintaining habitat now helps ensure the best possible conditions for their return.

This project supports multiple community benefits, including:

  • Restoring and improving monarch habitat
  • Reducing wildfire risk through thoughtful vegetation management
  • Building community connection through shared stewardship
  • Providing family-friendly outdoor learning and restoration training

Volunteer activities may include:

  • Tree planting
  • Native seedling planting
  • Drip irrigation education, installation, and repair
  • Invasive plant removal

Why join? Enjoy fresh air, light exercise, and time in nature—while connecting with others and making visible progress in a place the community loves.

Spots are limited and advanced registration is encouraged. Sign up here.

Beautify Goleta Earth Day Wrap-Up

Thank You to Event Captain Tidy Seas

The Goleta community proved that when we work together, we can make an incredible impact. Residents of all ages gathered at Stow Canyon Open Space for the 4th Annual Beautify Goleta Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 18, rolling up their sleeves to protect and preserve our beautiful local environment. 

The Impact: By the Numbers 

The dedication of our community members led to strong results across local streets, parks, and open spaces like Lake Los Carneros. 

  • 62 passionate volunteers stepped up to take action. 
  • 386 pounds of litter were successfully removed from our local ecosystems. 
  • 72% of the collected waste was recyclable material (including glass, metal, and plastic), as discovered during an interactive volunteer waste audit. 
  • 54 vehicles participated in the neighboring FREE Bulky Item Drop-Off on Westmoreland Place. 
  • 8,000+ pounds of bulky waste were safely disposed of including couches, wood furniture, and even a broken piano! 

Education, Teamwork, and Inspiring the Next Generation 

A massive thank you goes to our Event Captain, Tidy Seas, who fostered community engagement and set everyone up for success by providing essential safety gear, including gloves, trash grabbers, buckets, and high-visibility vests. 

The event was as much about education as it was about action. Alongside the cleanup, attendees explored informational booths hosted by local champions of sustainability: Goleta Valley Library, City of Goleta’s Sustainability Division, Less Is More, Mission Refill, and MarBorg Industries. 

The most inspiring takeaway was the strong presence of our community and our families. City of Goleta Principal Civil Engineer, Kui Xu, volunteered to help staff and noted “It was great to see entire families volunteering together.” Local environmental advocates highlighted those engaging children in the cleanup process and making it fun is the best way to instill lifelong habits of environmental stewardship. 

Keep the Momentum Going! 

Earth Day may be over, but we encourage you to commit to protecting our planet year-round. Here is how you can continue making a difference: 

  1. Pick it up: Help maintain Goleta’s cleanliness by making litter collection a part of your everyday neighborhood walks and adventures. 
  2. Lock it down: Ensure your own waste stays contained at home by keeping your trash and dumpster lids securely closed when not in use. 
  3. Join us again: Keep an eye out for the next Beautify Goleta event coming in July 2026 to celebrate Plastic Free July! 

Thank you, Goleta, for showing up, working hard, and inspiring us all. Together, we are all helping Keep Goleta Beautiful. 

Thank you to volunteer Nate Cannon Photography for the photos!

Pictured above: Volunteers in action


Group photo


Kids picking up trash


Bulky Item Drop-Off

 

Goleta Hosts Largest Senior Expo

Hundreds Gathered at the Goleta Community Center for 4th Annual Event

Hundreds of local seniors now know more about resources and services to help them thrive after attending the City’s largest Senior Expo to date on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Goleta Community Center. The facility was bustling with activity as more than 300 attendees and 48 vendors connected and learned about the various organizations and groups available for seniors.

Neighborhood Services Director JoAnne Plummer said, “This year’s Senior Expo, our fourth and largest, was simply amazing. To see our seniors, caregivers, and families all in one place—laughing, learning, and lifting each other up—was incredibly special. It reminds us how strong and caring our Goleta community truly is.”

The Senior Expo included:

  • Access to Essential Resources: Local programs and services related to health care, wellness, housing, recreation, transportation, and more.
  • Healthy Aging Tips: Practical tips and tools to support physical, mental, and social well-being.
  • Community Connections: An opportunity to meet new people, strengthen social networks, and engage with organizations that serve Goleta’s senior population.
  • Caregiver and Family Support: Valuable information and support for those caring for older adults.
  • Active Lifestyle Ideas: Lively, welcoming environment that highlights the importance of staying active, engaged, and connected.

As a reminder, there is a Senior Program at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) that is open to anyone 55 and over. There are a number of activities and opportunities to get involved with including dance, music, fitness, counseling, and food services. For more information and to view the monthly calendar, go to the City’s website at www.CityofGoleta.org/SeniorProgram. For questions, please email seniorprogram@cityofgoleta.gov.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of making the 2026 Senior Expo a success.

Pictured above: Attendees visiting information tables

 
A large crowd of attendees gathers on the expo floor for the 4th Annual Senior Expo


Community members enjoying a free lunch provided by La Hacienda at the Senior Expo.


A community member receiving a free hearing screening from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club

 

FIFA World Cup 2026 Watch Party on June 12

Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

The FIFA World Cup 2026TM, the world’s largest sporting event, will be kicking off in cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada this June, marking the first time the World Cup will take place in North America in over thirty years! Here in Goleta, we are excited to be hosting Team Austria during its bid in the tournament. We wish the players all the best as they take on some tough opponents during the Group Stage.

To kick off the fun, the City is hosting a free family-friendly watch party on Friday, June 12, and the Goleta Community Center to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team take on Team Paraguay. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with kickoff at 6:00 p.m. Come on over to the Goleta Community Center at 5679 Hollister Avenue to catch a livestream of this exciting match and take part in family-friendly World Cup themed activities.

Free tacos and burritos will be available from Don Pepe’s Mexican Food while supplies last, and other items will be available for purchase.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Calling All Businesses: Attend FIFA World Cup 2026 Lunch & Learn

May 14th from Noon – 2:00 p.m. in Goleta

The City of Goleta is teaming up with Visit Santa Barbara to provide a Lunch and Learn for local businesses on Thursday, May 14th from noon to 2:00 P.M. at Captain Fatty’s (6489 Calle Real, Goleta) which will cover how your business can get involved with the FIFA World Cup 2026TM. In case you didn’t know the United States, Mexico and Canada will host the FIFA World Cup 2026TM this June – the first time the tournament will take place in North America in over thirty years! The City of Goleta is excited to serving as host city for Team Austria (ÖFB) as it trains at UCSB’s Harder Stadium during the tournament.

Just to provide some perspective, the World Cup is the world’s largest sporting event, attracting local and worldwide fans to come and watch the matches and cheer on their team. California will play host to several matches in Los Angeles and Santa Clara. This means a lot of fans will be visiting California this June, and locals will be looking to join in the tournament spirit and watch their team play.

The Lunch and Learn session on May 14th will be led by Beth Olson, Director of Sales at Visit Santa Barbara, and Cat Lopez, Business Development Manager at Visit Santa Barbara. They will cover everything that you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026TM and will offer practical, revenue-generating ideas such as match-day watch parties, extended hours, elevated viewing experiences, and timely promotion strategies to help businesses maximize the opportunity presented by this major sporting event.

If you are a local business owner and want to learn about how to get involved, please RSVP to Membership@SantaBarbaraCA.com no later than May 12, 2026. Attendance is limited to 50 total participants with no more than two participants per organization. Lunch is sponsored by the City of Goleta and will be provided by Disfruta Mexican Food. Attendees may purchase beverages from Captain Fatty’s.

We look forward to seeing you then!

Meet Me in Old Town this June

The City of Goleta and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce are thrilled to bring back Meet Me in Old Town Goleta for its third summer.

Join us on Wednesday, June 17 & 24 from 5:00–8:00 PM at Community West Bank located at the interaction of Hollister Avenue and Pine Avenue in the heart of Old Town Goleta for a classic block party atmosphere with expanded space, more activities, and a World Cup™ twist! Gather with friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, dig into your favorite local food, and come watch the FIFA World Cup™ matches live in our TV Zone, provided by Cox Communications.

Two Wednesdays. Two block parties. All the fun. This is Old Town at its best — don’t miss it!

Pictured above: Goleta City Council at Meet Me in Old Town 2025 event