FACT SHEET
County Executive Office
105 E. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101
www.countyofsb.org
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GOLETA BEACH COUNTY PARK PROJECT
Goleta Beach Park provides coastal access and no-cost recreation opportunities for over 1.5 million visitors
annually.
Santa Barbara County has diligently looked for a way to protect Goleta Beach County Park that is supported
by sound environmental analysis.
The rock revetment, which is typically buried by sand, has protected various public facilities, including
restrooms, parking lots, picnic areas, bike path, and utility lines without causing harm to the beach.
The County looks forward to working with the Coastal Commission to have the permit approved and continue
to enhance public access to, and use of, this free park.
GOLETA BEACH PARK PROJECT FAQs
What is the Goleta Beach Park Project?
Goleta Beach as we know it was created in 1943 when
the federal government filled in the estuary to create an
airbase during World War II. In the late 1980s through the
early 2000s, the beach experienced episodes of shoreline
erosion associated with large storms that damaged park
facilities and temporarily prevented use of the park. In
an effort to protect the beach park from further storm
damage, the County installed 1200 feet of rock revetment
during this period. Temporary emergency permits to
install the revetment were granted on the condition that
the County study a permanent solution. Over the past
decade, the County has evaluated various solutions that
balance protection and preservation of the beach and
park while preserving public access. In March 2014, the
Board of Supervisors unanimously determined, based
on the conclusions of the Environmental Impact Report
(EIR), that the best solution was to leave the revetment in
place. In April 2014, the County submitted an application
to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to leave the
revetment in place. The CCC is expected to meet in Santa
Barbara from May 13 to 15, 2015 to approve or deny the
County’s application.
How does the revetment protect the park?
A revetment is a sloping structure made up of large rocks
and other materials placed on banks or cliffs to absorb the
energy of incoming water. When a large storm occurs, the
waves can run up the beach and erode the upland lawn
area, forming a vertical scarp, which is a steep wall on the
border of the grassy area and the sand. The large rocks in
the revetment prevent the waves from pushing the scarp
further landward into the park. While the revetment is
usually buried, a large storm in March 2014 exposed a
small amount of revetment, and the revetment prevented
erosion from damaging trees, parking, lawn, utility lines,
and restrooms.
Are there revetments in other locations? How is
Goleta’s revetment different?
Revetments can be found up and down the coast
including at Butterfly Beach in Montecito, Hueneme, and
Broad Beach in Malibu. No two beaches are alike; they
have different types of wave formation and sand supply
conditions. Revetments that are located close to the
water (low on the beach profile) and frequently interact
with waves are most likely to cause erosion and impact
sand supply or access to the beach. The Goleta Beach
Park revetment is located away from the surf (high on the
beach profile), has a low impact on coastal processes and
access, and acts as a last line of defense for the park
during a large storm.
To learn more, visit countyofsb.org/goletabeachproject.sbc
FACT SHEET GOLETA BEACH COUNTY PARK PROJECT
Would removing the revetment provide for more sandy
beach?
Removing the revetment would not provide for more sandy
beach for the foreseable future since the shoreline is not
continually eroding. While some historic photos show more
sand at Goleta Beach, this is because beach width changes
seasonally and over decades in response to climactic and storm
cycles. Beach width varies from 50 feet during storm periods
to 400 feet during sand rich periods. The EIR concluded that
removing the revetment would significantly impact recreational
use of the park associated with increased erosion during a large
storm that could damage park facilities.
Does the revetment prevent access to the beach? Is the
revetment a hazard?
The revetment does not interfere with walking to or along the
shore because it is buried away from the surf, it runs along the
edge of the lawn and western parking lots, and it is projected
to remain buried most of the time through 2050. While a large
storm may temporarily prevent vertical access by exposing the
rocks in the revetment, the County reduces the hazard of the
exposed revetment by erecting safety fencing. The County also
creates sand ramps when scarp formation makes the beach
inaccessible.
What are the next steps for the Goleta Beach Project?
The CCC is expected to meet in Santa Barbara from May 13-15, 2015
to review the County’s application. The County has enjoyed a positive
and constructive relationship with the Commission and the staff and
shares the common goal of coastal access for all. Goleta Beach
County Park is the most heavily visited park with free access in the
County. The County has initiated a number of significant improvements
to Goleta Beach Park, including a new sewer lift station, restored
restroom facilities, repaved parking lots and a new bridge to enhance
vehicular, public transit, and pedestrian access to the park.
Scarp created by March 2014 storm.
Western section of the beach
in March 2015.
Western section of the beach following the
March 2014 storm.
Diagram of Existing Rock Revetments
Goleta Beach County Park
Western section of the beach
in March 2015.
DIAGRAM OF EXISTING REVETMENTS AT GOLETA BEACH COUNTY PARK
To learn more, visit countyofsb.org/goletabeachproject.sbc