Best of Isla Vista

Isla Vista has a unique character unlike any other town. Its loving, creative and energetic atmosphere bursts from every corner yet all fits in to one perfect square mile. Here is a list of some of the best parts about living in Isla Vista:

Running spots

Isla Vista is a runners paradise. With countless oceanside trails to choose from, you will never want to step foot on a treadmill again! Here are my 3 favorite paths:

• Slough Road (starting by Sands Beach)

• Path on the bluffs above Devereux Beach and Sands Beach

• Campus point bluff trails

Access to Outdoor Adventure

The Recreational Center and Excursion Club are two ways to take advantage of all the adventure Isla Vista has to offer. The Excursion provides UCSB students with outdoor equipment such as paddle boards, kayaks, surf boards, camping gear, and climbing gear for a very affordable price. They also lead endless outdoor trips, from kayaking to the oil rig from our very own Isla Vista Beaches, to camping in Yosemite. Check out more here: https://www.excursionclubucsb.org.

Parks

Isla Vista has a ton of parks which are great places to play spike ball, do yoga, have a picnic, or even have a clothing sale. My personal favorite is Sea Lookout park because it has a volleyball court, wooden tables and platforms, and a perfect view of the ocean (hence the name)!

Biking, Skateboarding and Rollerblading

In Isla Vista, cars are not neccesary and often are a huge hassle. It is extremely rare to find a parking spot, the streets are flooded with students, and not to mention cars are ruining our environment. Take advantage of the size and proximity of everything in Isla Vista and try out different modes of transportation! There is simply nothing more "Isla Vista" than biking to the beach barefoot with your friends at sunset.

Beaches

Click here to learn all about the different beaches in Isla Vista: https://www.santabarbara.com/activities/beaches/isla-vista/

The Co-Op

The Co-Op, a gem of Isla Vista, is a community owned grocery store that encourages students to shop sustainably and engage with their local community. The Co-Op has a wide variety of locally grown produce, baked goods and homemade meals are things you cannot find at any grocery store. Check our their website here: https://www.islavistafood.coop

Local Businesses

Isla Vista has many of local businesses, several of which are run by students! Check a few out below:

Soso Jane Jewelry: https://www.instagram.com/by.sosojane/?hl=en

Isla Jade Jewlery and Yoga: https://www.ilajade.com/events

Roger's Tacos: https://www.instagram.com/rogerstacos/?hl=en

Paige Baldwinson Art: https://www.paigebaldwinson.com

Concerts

There are tons of local bands in IV. Check out this instagram page to see who is performing when: https://www.instagram.com/soundsofiv/?hl=en