More Mesa Open Space

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