Santa Barbara County Community Gardens

People tending to plants at a community garden.
Photo: Rosminah Brown

A Selection of Community Gardens and Plots in Santa Barbara County

Garden and volunteer listings change with time. We rely on community input for updates—if you see inaccuracies, please get in touch with us.

Santa Barbara and Carpinteria

Pilgrim Terrace Community Garden

Located off Modoc Road, this Westside garden has 55 plots for growing produce, flowers, and herbs.

Rancheria Community Garden

Another Westside garden with 47 generously sized plots (10×20 feet) for growing food and meeting neighbors. Two of the plots are raised beds to accommodate individuals with limited mobility.

Trinity Gardens

A three-acre organic food forest with educational fields, communal spaces, and individual plots. Weekly volunteer opportunities and Sunday harvests support local partners.

Yanonali Community Garden

Located on the Eastside, this nearly one-acre garden offers community plots for local residents.

Carpinteria Community Garden

City-managed with 100 raised beds, including 27″ accessible ones. A garden coordinator hosts it three mornings weekly and offers organic gardening workshops and nutrition education.

Goleta and Isla Vista

Armitos Park and Community Garden

A recently developed city-backed garden with approximately 50 plots—including large and small raised beds. Designed to expand equitable access to gardening in Goleta.

UCSB Greenhouse and Garden Project

A five-acre organic garden at UCSB that’s been active for over 40 years. Features fruit trees and individual plots for students, faculty, and staff to grow food and community.

Goleta Presbyterian Gardens

Church-supported organic plot gardens providing space and shared resources. A community-oriented project with volunteer involvement and local produce-sharing.

University United Methodist (UUme) Garden

An inclusive bilingual garden at the University United Methodist Church, part of Isla Vista’s community food access efforts.

St. Michael’s Community Garden

St. Michael’s Community Garden is a beloved green space in the heart of Isla Vista, where the spirit of community is cultivated alongside fresh produce. In partnership with the Isla Vista Community Services District, the UCSB Edible Campus Program, and local residents, the garden features shared boxes, composting through the Isla Vista Compost Collective, and a welcoming, hands-on atmosphere.

Buellton, Lompoc, and Santa Maria

Buellton Community Garden

The Buellton Community Garden is a thriving hub for connection, sustainability, and community engagement in the Santa Ynez Valley. It offers raised beds for rent, volunteer opportunities every Saturday morning, and a sponsorship program that supports local families in growing their own food. With seasonal plantings, educational programs, and a welcoming atmosphere, the garden invites residents to dig in, give back, and be part of something rooted in growth and generosity.

Lompoc Community Garden

The Lompoc Community Garden is a vibrant gathering place rooted in organic gardening and community connection. Each plot is maintained by local individuals and organizations, serving as both a personal growing space and a source of inspiration for others. Gardeners actively share their knowledge, offering seasonal outdoor classes for local schoolchildren along with demonstrations and workshops focused on gardening and healthy eating. Plot sizes vary and are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a small fee that helps cover utility costs.

Lompoc Resilience Garden

A collaborative initiative involving C4‑Lompoc, Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and LegacyWorks. Built at First Christian Church, the garden provides raised beds, irrigation systems, and youth leadership programs. It’s part of an effort to address food inequity and foster community resilience in under-resourced areas, supported by funding from Lockheed Martin and the State of California.

Peace Lutheran Church Community Garden

The Peace Lutheran Church Garden continues to grow and flourish, thanks to the care and dedication of its volunteers who keep the space thriving and beautiful. It’s a welcoming space where neighbors can connect, grow food, and nurture community spirit through shared gardening.

Alice Trefts Park

Tucked beside the Elwin Mussell Center, this five-acre park is home to a thriving community garden and serves as a hands-on agricultural education site in partnership with Allan Hancock College. The space offers more than just garden beds—it’s a living classroom where learning, growing, and community come together. A portable restroom is conveniently located near the garden for visitors.

Garden Volunteer Opportunities

Mesa Harmony Garden

Volunteer-run coastal food forest where you can learn about fruit tree care and community agriculture.

Edible Campus Program

Weekly Saturday morning volunteer opportunities, each week at a different community garden in Isla Vista. The Edible Campus Program aims to address local food insecurity by repurposing underutilized spaces for food production.

Elings Park Transformation Project

Join the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden with monthly opportunities to help restore native plantings at Elings Park in Santa Barbara. 

Bucket Brigade at Humanitarian Farm

The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade has weekly volunteer opportunities at Humanitarian Farm, near the Mesa. Once a part of historic Yankee Farm, this one-acre patch supplies food for organizations like Veggie Rescue, Unity Shop and the Food Pantry at Santa Barbara City College.