Holiday dinners and events in Santa Barbara
Holidays
The holidays deserve an oceanfront gathering
Planning a holiday gathering in Santa Barbara? The Ellwood at Goleta Beach is an oceanfront restaurant and event venue directly on the Pacific at 5905 Sandspit Road, Goleta, Santa Barbara County. Whether you are planning an intimate family celebration or a private group event, our events team is ready to help you host your occasion here. Submit an inquiry and we will be in touch.
A setting worth celebrating
Some occasions deserve more than a table in a strip-mall dining room. The Ellwood sits on the sand at Goleta Beach with panoramic Pacific Ocean views from every seat. The Central Coast in the holiday season is as beautiful as anywhere on earth. The waves are steady, the winter light is warm and low on the water, and the air carries just enough salt to remind you that you are somewhere genuinely special.
Whether you are marking New Year’s Eve, bringing the family together for Thanksgiving, or looking for an oceanfront home for your company holiday party, the setting does a lot of the work. You arrive, the Pacific greets you, and the rest feels easy.
Indoor and outdoor spaces for your holiday event
The Ellwood offers versatile indoor and outdoor spaces suited to holiday gatherings of many sizes, from an intimate dinner for a close group to a full-venue private event. The indoor dining room puts the ocean in front of you through wide windows, warm and sheltered on a cool December evening. The outdoor areas let you sit closer to the sand when the weather is right.
The Break, our dedicated oceanfront outdoor event space, opens additional possibilities for larger celebrations. For any private holiday event, our events team works with you on the layout, flow, and experience from the first inquiry to the last toast.
Hosting your holiday at The Ellwood
The Ellwood is a natural gathering place from Valentine’s Day in February through New Year’s Eve in December. Our California coastal cuisine is built around locally sourced ingredients, fresh Central Coast seafood, and seasonal produce. We invite you to reach out early, holiday inquiry slots fill as the season approaches, and our events team gives each gathering its own attention.
Father’s Day is welcomed warmly as well. No dedicated page exists, but it is a wonderful occasion for an oceanfront celebration. Submit an inquiry and we will plan it together.
Holidays at a glance
- New Year's Eve: Host your NYE gathering oceanfront with the Pacific as your backdrop
- Thanksgiving: Gather your family or group for Thanksgiving directly on Goleta Beach
- Christmas and Christmas Eve: Holiday celebrations for families, couples, and company groups
- Easter: Oceanfront Easter gathering with California coastal cuisine
- Mother's Day: Celebrate Mom at the beach, one of our most anticipated occasions
- Valentine's Day: A romantic oceanfront evening with sunset Pacific views
Private holiday parties and company events
Planning a company holiday party or a private group celebration this season? The Ellwood is a natural fit. Our events team coordinates private holiday gatherings in our indoor and outdoor spaces, from an intimate dinner for a small team to a full-venue event for a larger organization.
For corporate holiday party planning, see our Corporate Events page. For private dining groups and milestone celebrations, visit our Private Dining and Celebrations page.
To inquire about a private holiday event, contact Head of Events Maki Pottenger at maki@theellwood.com or submit the Tripleseat inquiry form below. You can also reach us at 805.335.2878.
Why The Ellwood for the holidays
- Setting: Panoramic Pacific Ocean views directly on Goleta Beach, Santa Barbara County
- Cuisine: California coastal, seafood-forward, ingredient-driven, seasonal and locally sourced
- Location: 5905 Sandspit Road, Goleta, one minute from UCSB and the Santa Barbara Airport, free on-site parking
- Flexibility: Indoor and outdoor spaces for intimate dinners through full-venue private events
- Dedicated events team: Maki Pottenger and the events team handle private holiday inquiries from start to finish
- Outdoor event space: The Break, our oceanfront lawn, adds capacity for larger holiday gatherings
Frequently asked questions
Can I host a private holiday gathering at The Ellwood in Santa Barbara?
Yes. The Ellwood accommodates private holiday events in flexible indoor and outdoor spaces on Goleta Beach. From an intimate family dinner to a company holiday party or full-venue celebration, our events team tailors the experience. Submit an inquiry through the form below or contact Head of Events Maki Pottenger at maki@theellwood.com to discuss your occasion.
How do I plan a holiday event at The Ellwood?
Submit a Tripleseat inquiry through the form on this page with your event details, preferred date, and group size. Head of Events Maki Pottenger (maki@theellwood.com, 805.335.2878) will follow up to discuss space, menu direction, and logistics. Reaching out early gives you the best selection of available dates, especially around peak holiday weeks.
Where is The Ellwood located?
The Ellwood is at 5905 Sandspit Road, Goleta, CA 93117, directly on Goleta Beach in Santa Barbara County. It is one minute from UCSB and the Santa Barbara Airport, with free on-site parking and panoramic Pacific Ocean views from every seat.
What kinds of holiday events can The Ellwood host?
The Ellwood hosts a wide range of holiday occasions: family Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, New Year’s Eve celebrations, company holiday parties, Valentine’s Day dinners, Mother’s Day brunches, and Easter gatherings. Indoor and outdoor spaces, including The Break oceanfront lawn, accommodate groups of many sizes. Reach out and the events team will guide you.
Does The Ellwood host company holiday parties?
Yes. The Ellwood is a popular choice for corporate holiday parties and year-end team events. Oceanfront setting, coastal cuisine, and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces make it a distinctive alternative to a hotel ballroom. See the Corporate Events page for details, or submit a holiday inquiry directly.
Start Planning
Plan your holiday at The Ellwood
Ready to host your celebration? Submit an event inquiry through the Tripleseat form below with your occasion, date, and group details. Head of Events Maki Pottenger and the team will follow up to start planning. You can also reach us at 805.335.2878 or maki@theellwood.com. We look forward to making your holiday a genuinely memorable one.