The best road cycling routes around Isla Vista

The Modoc Preserve trail winds through a lush urban watershed, following a seasonal stream shaded by sycamores and oaks. Tucked between neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, this quiet green corridor offers a glimpse of the area's natural ecology, including native grasses and wetland plants.

Tackling the legendary climb via Old San Marcos Pass Road and then Painted Cave Road near Santa Barbara rewards you with stunning coastal and mountain views, but demands a massive physical effort on brutally steep gradients. You'll climb steeply initially on Old San Marcos Pass Road which will see you climbing around 6-8% before turning onto the infamous Painted Cave Road for the main challenge. Prepare for an incredibly intense final 1-2 miles on Painted Cave, where the average gradient surges to well over 12-15%, featuring sustained ramps that hit around 20% – this section is a true 'wall' requiring your absolute lowest gears and sheer determination. You'll summit high in the Santa Ynez Mountains and enjoy the unfolding views over Goleta and the Pacific Ocean.

Nice view over Los Padres National Forest. The climb up to the peak is challenging, but it is worth the effort for the great vistas.

This is a county run park located a stone's throw away from the University of California Santa Barbara. The park features a long wooden pier, plenty of sand, picnic benches, shady trees, café and public toilets.

A portion of the shore of Goleta Bay is managed by the County of Santa Barbara, as the Goleta Beach County Park. The beach itself is partly man-made as sand was spread onto an existing sandspit in 1945. In 1949, the Federal Government granted Goleta Beach Park to Santa Barbara County. In 1953, the County granted the Park to the State of California. The State granted it back to the County in 1970. Known for its long fishing pier and sunbathing beaches, these 29 acres are often a destination for bicyclists on the area's paved trail system. Between the lively restaurant and BBQ picnic areas are volleyball, horseshoes, children's playgrounds, and free beach wheelchairs. The 1,500-foot pier in Goleta Beach County Park provides boaters, fishermen, and families out for a stroll, an engaging view of the Pacific coast. The Goleta Pier boat launch is available for public use on weekends and holidays. Paddle Sports Center is an authorized concessionaire that provides Kayaks, Stand-Up Paddle Board Rentals, Lessons, and Tours from Goleta Beach County Park. Open Seasonally from 10 am to 6 pm. https://www.countyofsb.org/813/Goleta-Beach-Park

Goleta Beach Park is a county run beach next to the University of California Santa Barbara. The park has a long sandy beach separated by a protective boulder barrier to keep the winter waves from eating away the beach. It offers a beachside cafe & bar, restrooms, volley ball courts, horseshoes, and plenty of picnic tables with grills.

Excellent park with a long wooden fishing pier, bathrooms, covered and open picnic tables, cafe/restaurant, situated at a very long white sandy beach.

The Eastern start of the awesome paved dedicated Obern Bike Trail starts from Modoc Road, and runs car-free along the Cieneguitas Creek drainage, seasonally dry. After a short interlude on Nueces Dr the trail continues again car-free a mile further to the west.