Goleta Beach Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kid's 1-Mile

HALF MARATHON (new course for 2026)

The Half Marathon is an out-and-back course that begins at Goleta Beach Park and runs along a dedicated bike and run path. This path is nearly flat, which makes it ideal for those seeking a personal best. Runners start at the west end of Goleta Beach Park (UCSB Campus side) and run toward the Park’s entrance bridge. They then turn left over the bridge, then right onto the bike path and continue towards Santa Barbara. At the 1.6-mile mark, runners will cross Patterson Avenue where there is a chance of vehicle traffic. Volunteers will be present to caution runners and vehicles. Runners should not be affected by vehicle traffic but should be cautious just the same.

After Crossing Patterson Avenue, the Half Marathon runners will cross a small bridge and immediately merge right onto a hard-packed soil surface. This surface is nearly ideal for running and most runners prefer it over the asphalt path. This is a scenic route which runs along Atascadero Creek for 1.33 miles then merges back onto the paved bike path and over another bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, runners continue east to the turnaround at Puente Avenue.

After making the turnaround at Puente, runners will once again cross the bridge and stay on the PAVED bike path heading back to the Park. To make it simple, while heading OUT to the Puente turnaround, runners will take the CREEK PATH. While heading BACK to the Park, runners will take the PAVED PATH. As Half Marathoners return to the Park, at the end of their 1st loop, they will cross the Goleta Beach entrance BRIDGE and make the counterclockwise turn around the “ROCK”, then head back out for their 2nd and final lap. Upon returning to the Park for the 2nd time, Half Marathon runners will cross the entrance bridge once again, but this time run pass the “ROCK”, turn right, and head to the Finish Line.

10K (new course for 2026)

The 10K (actually 6.65 miles) is an out-and-back course that begins at Goleta Beach Park and runs along a dedicated bike and run path. This path is nearly flat, which makes it ideal for those seeking a personal best. Runners start at the west end of Goleta Beach Park (UCSB Campus side) and run toward the Park’s entrance bridge. They then turn left over the bridge, then right onto the bike path and continue towards Santa Barbara. At the 1.6-mile mark, runners will cross Patterson Avenue where there is a chance of vehicle traffic. Volunteers will be present to caution runners and vehicles. Runners should not be affected by vehicle traffic but should be cautious just the same.

After Crossing Patterson Avenue, 10K runners will cross a bridge and immediately merge right onto a hard-packed soil surface. This surface is nearly ideal for running and most runners prefer it over the asphalt path. This is a scenic route which runs along Atascadero Creek for 1.33 miles then merges back onto the paved bike path and over another bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, runners continue east to the turnaround at Puente Avenue.

After making the turnaround at Puente, runners will once again cross the bridge and stay on the PAVED bike path heading back to the Park. To make it simple, while heading OUT to the Puente turnaround, runners will take the CREEK PATH. While heading BACK to the Park, runners will take the PAVED PATH. As 10k runners return to the Park, they will cross the entrance bridge, make a right turn around the “ROCK”, and head to the Finish Line.

5K (new course for 2026)

The 5K is an out-and-back course that begins at Goleta Beach Park and runs along a dedicated bike path toward Santa Barbara. This path is nearly flat, which makes it ideal for those seeking a personal best. Runners begin near the Finish Line and head toward the Park’s entrance bridge where they then turn left over the bridge and right onto the bike path. The 5K runners will make the turnaround just BEFORE reaching Patterson Avenue and head back the same way to the Finish Line.

1-mile Fun Run (new course for 2026)

The 1-mile Fun Run is designed to keep our young participants comfortable and motivated by keeping them within Park where Spectators and Family members can cheer them on for the entire route.

Runners will start at the FINISH LINE and run towards UCSB along the hard-packed walking path, then cut across the grass and go AROUND the Restroom. Once around the Restroom, they will follow the walking path all the way to the other end of the Park around the other Restroom (near the Ellwood Restaurant) and follow the walking path back to the Finish Line. Runners will continue through the Finish Line and do a 2nd (and final) lap. In short, runners will run 2 laps of the walking path around the two Restrooms located at each end of the Park.

COURSE MAPS

HALF MARATHON COURSE (2 loops)

TRAIL SECTION (1.33 miles - applies to both 10K & Half Marathon)

Half Marathon - Start of 2nd Loop

10K COURSE

TRAIL SECTION (1.33 miles - applies to both 10K & Half Marathon)

5K COURSE

1-MILE COURSE