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Friday Bird Walk – Goleta Beach – Atascadero Estuary
Summary
A good area for a wide range of avian species.
Description
The Goleta Beach / Goleta Slough / Atascadero Creek area is one of the go-to hot spots in Goleta for birding. The eBird hotspot for the area boasts 232 species. Waterfowl, shorebirds, waders, raptors, gulls, and other species are not uncommon in their season. Goleta Slough is the main drainage for many of the Goleta Valley / western Santa Barbara area creeks, providing waterways for birds to move up and down from the Santa Barbara mountains.
Friday, May 1, 2026 ~ 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Target Birds:
- Herons
- Egrets
- Osprey
- Kingfisher
- & Others
Directions:
From the South
- Traveling North Bound on Hwy101
- Take Hwy 217 Airport UCSB (Exit 104B)
- From Hwy 217 take Exit 1: Santspit Road
- Turn left onto Sandspit Road
From the North
- Traveling South Bound on Hwy101
- Take the Fairview Avenue off ramp (Exit 105)
- Turn right on Fairview, head towards the ocean
- Road changes name to Fowler, then Moffett, and then Sandspit Road
Then for everyone
- Sandspit Road turns left and continues under the Hwy 217 overpass
- Turn right into Goleta Beach Park and cross the bridge
- Turn left at the stop sign
- Park in the parking lot that’s west (UCSB side) of The Ellwood Restaurant
- We will meet in the parking lot
Map Here – or – Google Map
Other Information:
- Bring water & a snack
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Binoculars are a must (borrow ours if you need to)
- Spotting scopes are useful
Trip Coordinator:
Activity Website https://santabarbaraaudubon.org/events/bird-walk-2026-05-01/
Sponsor
Santa Barbara Audubon Society