The San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path will provide three continuous miles of pathway linking northern Goleta neighborhoods and key destinations such as Old Town, the Coast Route and the beach.

Construction Areas

Construction is organized into two segments:

Northern Segment – approximately 0.50 miles – starts at the existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities adjacent to Calle Real, along the west side of San Jose Creek to Armitos Avenue, to the existing path adjacent to Jonny D. Wallis Park.

Southern Segment – approximately 1.00 miles – begins at South Kellogg Avenue, extends along the bank of San Jose Creek adjacent to the California Highway 217 and connects to the existing Class I Atascadero Creek Bikeway (Obern Trail / Coast Route). See the project map below for details. An updated project map will be provided here in the near future.

A project map is shown below and can be viewed here in full size.

Project Components

This path will enhance Goleta’s active transportation network, making walking and biking easier, safer, and more connected throughout the community.

Improvements will include:

• A multipurpose path along San Jose Creek within the City of Goleta. The path will cross under US 101 and connect two existing multipurpose paths, creating one continuous active transportation route.
• Concrete barriers, providing a safe travel way, separating bicycles/pedestrians and SR 217
• Retaining walls to support the path and minimize impacts to San Jose Creek by eliminating the need to place additional fill within the creek.
• Path gates and bollards
• New directional signage
• In areas where the streambed has eroded along the path alignment, backfill and slope protection will be placed.
• Pedestrian bridge over San Jose Creek with approximately five-foot wide lanes in each direction
• Increased stormwater drainage systems
• The new path will meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
• Implementation of a mitigation plan both on the project site and at nearby locations.
• Restorative planting along San Jose Creek at Jonny D. Wallis Park, locations wet of Ekwill Street and east of Pine Avenue, and within Devereux Creek within the Ellwood Mesa Open Space Preserve. 

Project Background

This project is part of the overall San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path, which includes the San Jose Creek Bike Path (Middle Extent) project completed in 2024. 

The San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path will provide a direct and continuous route for bicyclists and pedestrians from Calle Real to commercial and residential areas within Goleta Old Town and to the existing Class I Atascadero Creek Bikeway providing access to Goleta Beach Park, the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and to the City of Santa Barbara. 

[SM1] Planning for this project included extensive environmental review and public input over several years. Additional project background documents are provided below.

• News Release: City Receives $11M Grant for Multipurpose Path Project
• Final Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document
• September 20, 2022 Council meeting available here
• October 4, 2022 Council meeting available here
• Link to project description here

Project Funding

Funding for this project includes approximately $15.29 million in Active Transportation Grant funding from the California Transportation Commission and $11.16 million in funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. As a condition of the funding, the City will provide up to 20 percent of the overall construction costs through a combination of sources including various development impact fees and future bond proceeds.

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