One of Southern California’s Most Scenic Golf Courses Is Getting a Massive Overhaul

The Goleta City Council unanimously approved the long-debated Sandpiper Golf Course renovation and clubhouse project, clearing the way for a major overhaul of the coastal golf course.

Following an extensive presentation and public hearing on June 2, the City Council voted 5-0 to approve the project’s Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), adopt environmental findings, and approve the development plan and conditional use permit.

Council members, residents, and representatives of the project discussed water conservation, coastal views, public access, historic preservation, and transportation enhancements for the proposal at 7925 Hollister Avenue.

The approval includes Alternative 4, featuring an extended bicycle path connecting the site to existing regional trail networks.

Identified as an environmentally superior option, Alternative 4 calls for a Class 1 concrete bicycle path measuring between 10 and 14 feet wide, instead of constructing a decomposed granite trail.

The path will extend approximately 0.3 miles eastward and connect the existing trail network near the Elwood School area.

In February 2026, the project received unanimous approval from the Goleta Design Review Board, whose members described the proposal as creative, inspiring, and potentially transformative for Goleta.

The golf course sits on a site on Goleta’s western edge with a long history. Before it was converted into a golf course in 1972, the land was part of the Ellwood Oil Field, which was shelled by a Japanese submarine during World War II.

In 2003, the golf course was acquired by hotelier Ty Warner.

New Clubhouse and Remodeled Golf Course

The main focus of the golf course’s renovation is the existing clubhouse and “comfort station.” Plans call for the clubhouse and restrooms to be replaced by a new two-story, 18,300-square-foot clubhouse.

The design, which is inspired by coastal landforms like sand dunes and ocean waves, is intended to blend into the surrounding coastal landscape and minimize its visual presence from neighboring public viewpoints.

The project also includes a redesign of the 18-hole golf course by renowned golf course architect Tom Doak. The redesign will follow a minimalist approach, working with the existing terrain, while introducing oceanfront golf holes.

Additional improvements include modernizing the maintenance facilities, a redesigned parking lot, and the undergrounding of overhead utility lines along Hollister Avenue.

Historic Preservation

A key component of the renovation project is the renovation and adaptive reuse of the historic Barnsdall-Rio Grande gas station, a designated city landmark.

The historic building will be converted into a coffee shop. The cafe concept will include antique gas pumps that will serve as electric bicycle chargers.

The city council approved modifications to the proposed coffee shop’s operating hours, requiring weekday closing times of 3:30 p.m. to avoid triggering traffic impact fees.

Environmental Conservation Measures

Environmental improvements were a major focus of the council discussions.

Project representatives told the council that irrigated turf will be reduced by 60 acres, nearly half of the golf course’s existing irrigated footprint. The removed turf will be replaced with native and coastal vegetation that requires little to no irrigation, fertilizer, or pesticide use.

Around 10 acres of golf course that is currently located within environmentally sensitive habitat areas will be restored.

The project will also replace existing private septic systems with connections to the Goleta West Sanitary District sewer system. This change will improve water quality protections, according to the project developers.

Additionally, “sand capping” on fairways and greens will absorb water before it reaches the ocean.

Concerns Over Views and Visual Impacts

Some council members and public speakers expressed concerns about preserving the scenic coastal views. Discussions were held on whether the proposed landscaping and tree plantings could obstruct views from the bridge and Hollister Avenue.

Project representatives agreed to continue working with the Design Review Board to “lift” the tree canopy and adjust placements to protect the vistas.

A resident raised concerns about the new buildings potentially obscuring a popular winter sunset viewing location at the parking lot.

Project architects said that the new clubhouse would offer better accessibility, including terraces and glazed restaurant spaces that welcome visitors, to continue enjoying ocean and sunset views.