Tabano Hollow Open Space is the most popular off-leash dog park in Goleta, if you don't consider Tucker's Grove as being in Goleta. The 1.2 acre park is surrounded with a dog-safe fence, dogs can get a drink from their own water fountain, and there are poop bags available to clean up after them. The park is open 8-10am and 3pm-sunset and, as it turns out, the place usually gets packed every day during the week at 3pm. If you want to enjoy a dog show, arrive at 3. It's not quite as busy on weekends when many dog lovers migrate further up San Antonio Creek to Tucker's Grove which has an off leash area and, importantly, barbecues.

  • Features: Alcohol Allowed, Biking, Hiking Trail, Parking On Street, Wildlife and Birding
  • Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed On Leash

Also known as Tabano Hollow Neighborhood Open Space, this park has so many regulars that they leave their own chairs and dog toys in the park 24/7. Though there are benches, the shady back fence is often lined with numerous extra chairs and they can also be found clustered around the lone tree in the yard. One might wonder if there is a tennis court next door (there's not) because there are so many tennis balls scattered across the property. Apparently dogs like the things.

This park is a mix of grass and dirt and is well-maintained. The open space has a wall of trees to the south fed by San Antonio Creek that adds a pleasant ambiance to the park when the water is running. A bikeway runs along north side of Tabano Hollow. Your dog can enjoy more than an acre of flat, free running space, interrupted only by a single tree in the middle of the park. There is no separate small dog area and there are no restrooms.

Though Tabano Hollow is obviously a popular place for dog lovers, it also attracts bird lovers. Bird walks are frequently held on the trails in the area. Bird sightings include Band-tailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Black Phoebe, California Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch, Spotted Towhee, Hooded Oriole, and an Orange-crowned Warbler.

In case you are wondering why this park has a well-defined set of off-leash hours it is because there are a row of homes along the park and when it's play time the park can get noisy. Though you will get the occasional pet parent strolling through during restricted times, for the most part people respect the rules. Goleta dog lovers cherish this park and don't want to lose a good thing.