national park
Channel Islands National Park
Five remote islands off the Southern California coast often called the 'Galapagos of North America' for their unique wildlife and pristine ecosystems.
46 km · about 55 min drive
California, United States · North America
Isla Vista sits on the route: 5 minutes from Goleta, 46km from Channel Islands National Park.
Isla Vista is a town located in California, United States. With a population of 23,096, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, Isla Vista sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Los Angeles time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Isla Vista to your route.
Isla Vista (English: EYE-luh VIS-tuh; Spanish: [ˈisla ˈβista], lit. 'island view') is an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. As of 2020 census, the community had a population of 15,500. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined the community as aRead more
census-designated place (CDP). The majority of residents are college students at the University of California, Santa Barbara, or Santa Barbara City College. The beachside community of Isla Vista lies on a flat plateau about 30 feet (9 m) in elevation, separated from the beach by a bluff.
Isla Vista enjoys a Mediterranean climate and often has slightly less precipitation than Santa Barbara and Goleta. Isla Vista is located on a south-facing portion of the Santa Barbara County coast, between Coal Oil Point and Campus Point in view of the Channel Islands. During El Niño years, precipitation in Isla Vista can be excessive and potentially dangerous. Some homes and apartments built on the south side of Del Playa Drive, most popular with students due to their direct ocean views, are built on eroding bluffs thirty to sixty feet above the Pacific Ocean. Recent erosion has exposed foundation supports in several of the properties closest to the nearby UC Santa Barbara campus.
As Isla Vista is on the south coast of Santa Barbara County, which has some of the highest housing prices in the United States, the student population shares densely packed housing with a working class Hispanic population. Since Isla Vista has not been annexed by either Goleta or Santa Barbara City and remains unincorporated, only Santa Barbara County funds are available for civic projects. While the main campus is to the east, the community is surrounded on three sides by university property governed by the state Board of Regents.
Isla Vista is home to a student housing cooperative, the Santa Barbara Student Housing Coop, as well as a food cooperative, the Isla Vista Food Co-op.
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Isla Vista offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Isla Vista is located in California, United States, North America. The coordinates are 34.4133 latitude, -119.8610 longitude.
Isla Vista has a population of approximately 23,096 people, making it a town in United States.
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AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
Full driving guide for United States1 notable place within an hour's drive.
national park
Five remote islands off the Southern California coast often called the 'Galapagos of North America' for their unique wildlife and pristine ecosystems.
46 km · about 55 min drive
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