Special events venue in Santa Barbara
Make Your Event Unforgettable
Oceanfront celebrations on Goleta Beach
The Ellwood at Goleta Beach is Santa Barbara County’s premier special events venue, offering panoramic Pacific Ocean views, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, and seasonal, locally sourced coastal cuisine. Whether you are planning a wedding, a corporate retreat, a private dinner, or a holiday celebration, our dedicated events team is ready to help bring your vision to life on the Santa Barbara coast.
The Ideal Location
Oceanfront setting
Your guests arrive to the sight and sound of the Pacific. The Ellwood sits directly on Goleta Beach, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Central Coast of California. The backdrop for your event is open ocean, sea breeze, and sky shifting from gold to deep blue as the afternoon gives way to evening.
Tailored To Your Event
Indoor and outdoor spaces
The Ellwood offers versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces that can be tailored to any event size, from an intimate private dinner for a close circle to a full-venue celebration with the whole beach as your backdrop. Our indoor dining areas carry the same coastal character as the outdoors, and for larger outdoor events, The Break, our dedicated oceanfront lawn event space, extends the experience right to the water's edge.
On The Sand
One of the few restaurants in Santa Barbara near the beach
The Ellwood sits directly on the sand at Goleta Beach, where the Santa Ynez Mountains meet open ocean. Most days it is a restaurant, open to anyone who wants a table by the water. For an event, the same setting becomes yours, from a private dinner for a close group to a full-venue buyout.
Explore By Occasion
Event types we host
The Ellwood is equipped to host the full range of special events in Santa Barbara. Explore the experience we create for each occasion.
- Weddings: ceremonies, receptions, and the full wedding experience oceanfront
- Corporate Events: meetings, retreats, team building, and company holiday parties
- Private Dining and Celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries, large-group dinners, and showers
- Bachelorette Parties: group brunches, cocktail hours, and sunset celebrations
- Holiday Dining and Events: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day
- Rehearsal Dinners
- Elopements and Micro Weddings
Coastal Cuisine
Cuisine, crafted for your event
Every event at The Ellwood is served by our in-house culinary team, whose menus are rooted in seasonal, locally sourced California coastal cuisine. The style is ingredient-driven and seafood-forward, built on close collaborations between our chefs, local fishermen, and Central Coast farmers. Specific menu arrangements for your event are shaped in conversation with our events team.
The Ellwood Difference
Why choose The Ellwood for your special event
- A front-row seat to Goleta Beach with unobstructed Pacific Ocean views across the Santa Barbara coastline
- Versatile indoor and outdoor spaces for gatherings of many sizes, up to a full venue buyout
- Seasonal, ingredient-driven California coastal cuisine built on local seafood, produce, and partnerships
- A dedicated events team led by our Head of Events
- The Break, a dedicated oceanfront lawn event space for larger outdoor gatherings
- Live music programming through our occasional Nash Nites songwriter series
- A prime location one minute from UCSB and the Santa Barbara Airport, with free on-site parking
- Featured in the Santa Barbara Independent and 805 Living as a defining arrival in Central Coast hospitality
Every Milestone
We also host
The Ellwood welcomes a wide range of milestone occasions beyond the pages above. If you are planning any of the following, our events team would love to hear from you.
- Bar and bat mitzvahs
- Quinceaneras
- Baby showers
- Bridal showers
- Graduation parties
- Retirement parties
- Family reunions
- Class reunions
- Celebrations of life
- Engagement parties
- Anniversary parties
Every one of these occasions deserves a setting that feels genuinely special. Reach out and tell us what you have in mind.
Good To Know
Frequently asked questions
What types of special events does The Ellwood host?
The Ellwood hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, elopements, corporate retreats, team-building events, company holiday parties, private dinners, birthday and anniversary celebrations, bachelorette gatherings, and a full slate of holiday occasions. We also warmly welcome bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras, showers, graduation parties, reunions, and celebrations of life. Contact our events team to discuss your occasion.
How do I inquire about hosting a private event at The Ellwood?
Submit an inquiry through our Tripleseat form on this page, or contact our Head of Events directly at 805.767.5047. Our events team will follow up to discuss your date, vision, and event details so we can put together a plan tailored to your gathering.
Can The Ellwood accommodate both indoor and outdoor events?
Yes. The Ellwood offers both indoor areas with ocean views and outdoor spaces directly on Goleta Beach, including The Break, our dedicated oceanfront lawn event space. Many gatherings use a combination of both. We work with you to configure the space to suit your event format and size.
What food and beverage options are available for private events?
All events are served by our in-house culinary team using seasonal, locally sourced California coastal ingredients. Specific menu details, service formats, and beverage selections for your event are arranged through our events team. Submit an inquiry and our Head of Events will walk you through everything we offer.
Is The Ellwood available for events on weekdays as well as weekends?
Yes. The Ellwood hosts private events across the week. Weekday availability can offer more flexibility for corporate gatherings, rehearsal dinners, and smaller milestone celebrations. Contact our Head of Events at 805.767.5047, or submit an inquiry through the form on this page, to check availability for your preferred date.
Where is The Ellwood located and is parking available?
The Ellwood is located at 5905 Sandspit Road, Goleta, CA 93117, directly on Goleta Beach in Santa Barbara County. We are one minute from UCSB and the Santa Barbara Airport, and free on-site parking is available.
Start Planning
Start planning your event
Leave your information and our events team, led by our Head of Events, will happily assist you.
Other occasions we would love to host
- Weddings: ceremonies and receptions with the Pacific as your backdrop
- Corporate events: meetings, retreats and company celebrations
- Private dining and celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries and large-group dinners
- Bachelorette parties: group brunches, cocktail hours and sunset celebrations
- Rehearsal dinners: gather both families the night before, oceanfront
- Elopements and micro weddings: an intimate ceremony steps from the sand
- Holiday dining and events: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve and more
- Easter Brunch: plan an Easter gathering steps from the sand
- Thanksgiving: gather your family or group directly on Goleta Beach
- New Year's Eve: ring in the new year oceanfront
