Hike-in Required
Yes
Open Year-round
Yes
Guided tours
No
ADA accessible
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Atascadero Creek Wetlands, sit just to the northeast of Goleta Beach Park a short walk away from the parking lot. A paved walking and biking pathway brings you a half-mile to a small wetlands that frequently have a wide variety of bird species, including great blue herons.

It is common to see a small handful of herons and several other seabirds and ducks. There are a few meandering dirt footpaths into the area that allow you to get closer to the creek. This hunting and nesting ground does not have any interpretive signs for information but does have some signage asking people to keep a respectful distance from the birds. The paved pathway continues farther into Goleta and links up to many roads and neighborhoods along its multiple miles of smooth bike riding.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Free. Along a paved walkway. Lots of large bird species.

Cons

No seating.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Features

Wildlife
Near lake or river
Family friendly
Bird watching

Location

Nearby Adventures

Santa Barbara + Sierra Madre/San Rafael Mountains, California
Santa Barbara + Sierra Madre/San Rafael Mountains, California
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Santa Barbara + Sierra Madre/San Rafael Mountains, California
Santa Barbara + Sierra Madre/San Rafael Mountains, California
Santa Barbara, California

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