Goleta Point facts for kids
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Goleta Point, also known as Campus Point, is a small piece of land that sticks out into the ocean on California's central coast. It is located about 3 miles southwest of the city of Goleta. This point is part of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus. It has cliffs, ocean waves, and amazing views of the Channel Islands. Many shorebirds like to visit the rocks here.
A Look Back in Time
Goleta Point has an interesting past! From 1870 to 1890, it was used as a whaling camp. This means that groups of Italian and Portuguese sailors lived there while hunting whales.
Later, in 1950, the University of California bought the land. At that time, there was an old United States Marine Corps air station on the point. Today, this area is known as Campus Point. In 2012, a special area called the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area was created here to help protect the ocean and its creatures.
Exploring the Area
Goleta Point is located about 6.5 miles west of Santa Barbara Point. The land ends in a cliff that is about 30 feet high. Another place called Coal Oil Point is about 2 miles west of Goleta Point. The community of Isla Vista is located between these two points.
The coast from Goleta Point all the way to Point Conception, which is about 32 miles away, is quite rugged. There's even a rock that sticks out 15 feet into the ocean, about 5.5 miles west of Goleta Point.
Catching Waves
Goleta Point is known for having one of the best surf breaks in Santa Barbara. A surf break is where waves consistently break, making it a great spot for surfing.
The waves here depend a lot on the wind, the direction the ocean swells are coming from, and the tide. Sometimes, these conditions can make the waves not so good. But usually, waves coming from the southwest are a good height for surfing. When the conditions are just right, the waves can get quite big and offer a wide area to ride. During low and medium tides, surfers can enjoy longer rides, as long as the tide doesn't quickly bounce back from the underwater reef.
