More Mesa is one of the last undeveloped coastal open spaces on the Southern California coast — a 330-acre expanse of bluff-top grasslands, oak woodlands, canyons, and wetlands stretching down to one of the most pristine sandy beaches on Santa Barbara County's South Coast. Located in the eastern Goleta Valley between Hope Ranch and More Mesa Shores, the mesa offers sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, along with more than ten miles of natural surface trails. It's the only publicly accessible coastal trail connecting Arroyo Burro Beach to Goleta Beach, just two miles from UCSB.

More Mesa — Venue/Location Overview

Type: Undeveloped coastal open space / natural outdoor venue

Location: Eastern Goleta Valley, Santa Barbara County South Coast

• Bordered by Hope Ranch (east), More Mesa Shores (west), and residential neighborhoods (north)
• Approximately 2 miles east of Goleta Beach County Park and UCSB

Size: ~330 acres total

• 265 acres privately owned (level mesa, canyons, coastal bluff-top)
• 54 acres owned by Santa Barbara County (designated More Mesa Open Space — oak woodlands, wetlands, riparian habitat along Atascadero Creek)
• 12 acres additional privately owned (bluff habitat, oak-covered slopes, informal access trails)

Terrain & Features:

• Coastal bluff-top grasslands
• Canyons
• Oak woodlands and wetlands
• Riparian habitat (Atascadero Creek)
• One of the largest and most pristine sandy beaches on Santa Barbara County's South Coast

Trails / Access:

• 10+ miles of natural surface trails
• 2+ miles of dedicated public access paths
• Only publicly accessible coastal trail spanning nearly 5 miles between Arroyo Burro Beach and Goleta Beach

Views: Sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean

Wildlife Habitat: Coastal bluff-top grasslands support valuable wildlife habitat

Designation: Largely undeveloped despite numerous past development proposals; portion designated as County Open Space