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Goleta, California


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Goleta, California

Introduction to Goleta, California

The city of Goleta is located in southern Santa Barbara County's Goleta Valley on the central coast of California, approximately 8 miles northwest of Santa Barbara and 90 miles north of Los Angeles. Nestled between Los Padres National Forest's Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the city is serviced by U.S. Route 101 and is close to California State Highway 154.

The name "Goleta" (Spanish for small ship or schooner) officially appeared on the landscape in 1875 with the establishment of a local post office. The name was chosen because of the original land grant (La Goleta) which defined the area. Around the turn of the 20th century, the Southern Pacific Railroad established rail lines through the area, and in the 1930s a local airport was built. The airport was expanded and improved with Navy funds during World War II, when it became part of the Marine's Flying Leatherneck base. After the war, the airport was turned over to the City of Santa Barbara and later annexed to that city as their airport. The area's landscape, characterized by farms, dairies and ranches, changed in the 1950s concurrent with the arrival of the University of California campus and the establishment of many aerospace companies. The former farming region began a transformation to a high technology research area and an urban bedroom community. Often referred to as "Silicon Beach", Goleta Valley today is characterized by high technology, including diversified electronics, telecommunications, and remote sensing manufacturing industries. After many years of being the largest unincorporated area in the county, Goleta was finally incorporated as a city in 2002.

Goleta Attractions

Historical sites in Goleta include the Stow House, an 1872 structure stocked with period furnishings. The grounds include the Goleta History Museum, a working Blacksmith Shop, a Maritime Museum and Carriage House. Also in Goleta is the South Coast Railroad Museum, whose waiting rooms have been restored and are open to the public. The city's premiere annual event is the Goleta Lemon Festival. The event, held on two weekend days in October, was at various times in its history known as the Goleta Magnolia Festival, Goleta Valley Fair, and Goleta Valley Days Festival. In 1992 the festival acquired its present name owing to the long history of the lemon industry in the Goleta Valley and variety of delicious recipes available using lemons. The festival is now a total community event with local service clubs providing food booths featuring all things lemon, including lemonade, lemon cake, lemon chicken, lemon yogurt and even a Lemon Pie Baking and Eating Contest.

Of Note

High Points

Goleta strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

CategoryTrophy
Short Commute Times
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyGoleta Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 8%Goleta Walking and Biking to Work

Comparative Profile of Goleta, CA

Comparing Goleta to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population97
Well-Paid Single Men98
Age of the Population88
Racial Diversity86
Well-Paid Single Women88
Senior Citizens78
Female Share of the Population34
Children Under 5 Years Old23

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size85
Portion of People Married76

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults88
Median Family Income88
People in Middle Class or Better77
People Above Poverty78

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Working at Home108
Walking and Biking to Work109
Short Commute Times1010
Public Transportation Use77

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing87
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals65
Housing Recently Built54
People Living Alone46
Affordability of Property Taxes43
Affordability of Rents13

Detailed pages on related topics: Goleta travelGoleta mortgages and property.

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Additional Details

Goleta Hotels & TravelGoleta Hotels & Travel
Goleta hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Goleta MortgageGoleta Mortgage
Goleta property, mortgage, and real estate.

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