Camino Real Marketplace

Camino Real is an okay shopping center and by no means a destination, unless you want to go to Costco from Santa Barbara.
Compared to other shopping centers in other cities, I consider this one bland in appearance with unremarkable stores.
There is a nice farmer’s market twice a week though and I do like frequenting Costco. The Starbucks is pretty nice as well with multiple tables for outdoor seating. Other than that, Home Depot, Albertson’s, Staples, Ross, and many of the other stores are just standard and most of the eateries are disappointing chains.
Oddly, «CAFE ZOMA» on the other side near Albertson’s had been closed for over three years and nothing has replaced it! I look forward to seeing how this shopping center transforms. (A French Press is currently under construction across the street from the center, by Chipotle!)

Camino Real Marketplace is a great shopping center. There is plenty of parking so it’s normally not a big problem to park. The marketplace is sandwiched between a McDonald’s and a Costco… doesn’t get much better than that.
Pros: Farmer’s market, Kahuna Grill, Costco, AT&T, Blenders, and STARBUCKS. The Starbucks here is amazing.
Cons: Hollister Brewing Co is a great location for a restaurant/​bar but it’s occupied by Hollister Brewing Co. So much potential for this spot. And Chilis… come on really?

This is place is so close to my home that I end up shopping here 3 – 4 times a week. It has Costco, Home Depot, Sports Authority, Staples, Best Buy, Ross. It has a really good movie theatre with very comfortable seating. It boasts many restaurants including my favorite Los Agaves. There are new restaurants coming all the time (wish I could tell you who, mums the word).
This is the place where locals meet, often with kids in tow. Go to the central square (it’s actually a circle) and watch family’s meet and children make new friends. The marketplace is a one of reasons Goleta is called the Goodland.

This is the reason I am able to survive in Goleta: P One-​stop for all errands/​groceries/​personal shopping/​eating… Amazing spread of stores.

Camino Real is not a destination by any means, but if you are in town and need some shops or restaurants that are guaranteed open later, along with free and plentiful parking, then this is a good place to get what you need.
As a visitor, staying in Goleta, my boyfriend and I had spent the day hiking and shopping in Santa Barbara. Later in the evening, we felt like getting out just for a stroll, but weren’t in the mood to contend with State Street again. Luckily we found Camino Real Marketplace and spent some time browsing at Pier 1 Imports, Best Buy and Ross Dress for Less.
Overall, the stores were your run of the mill chains (Sports Authority, Home Depot, etc) but well stocked and friendly.
In terms of eateries, there are your go-​to standards like Chili’s and Starbucks. There were also some restaurants I was not familiar with, such as Hollister Brewing company. I ended up buying some candles at Pier 1 and in the process got some fresh air walking around the center. It’s got your basics but in terms of ambiance, you could do a lot of worse. Bonus that it was decorated for Christmas and the lights added a nice touch to our evening stroll.

Big shopping center with a lot of the essentials: Home Depot, Albertson’s, Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Ross to name a few. There are also a lot of smaller shops and places to get a quick bite to eat that are great too.

Everytime I go into Santa Barbara I stop by here to go to Starbucks. I do most of my shopping and entertainment here.
One of the few places in Santa Barbara malls with free parking.

When I’m in town I always make it a must to stop @ the Marketplace. This plaza is a one stop shop. You have the groceries, eateries, movie theater, and shops (Sundance– my fav, Best Buy, Ross, Staples etc). On the weekends there is a farmers market where my aunt gets veggies that you can’t usually find at your local Albertsons.
Don’t forget to stop by Blenders in the Grass. We don’t have this shop up north & I can definitely say that Blenders is more refreshing than Jamba Juice. Costs more that Jamba Juice but oh so worth it!
Furthermore, too bad Borders shut down, that was my favorite place to hang out! :(

This is the next best thing for IV and nearby residents (not even the plaza with the Kmart across compares!)
Pros:
+ Costco (for that alcohol pass and pizza or polish dog with a drink)
+ Kahuna Grill (when you’re craving that pineapple in your burger or a to-​die-​for coconut shake)
+ McDonald’s (cheap food, but I go for their frappes)
+ Ross (getting some clothes or random things for cheap)
+ Hollister Brewing Co. (happy hour)
+ Home Depot (cardboard boxes for moving out)
+ Baja Grill (my fave spot for a taco salad yum)
+ Blenders in the Grass (though IV already has one but it’s convenient)
Cons:
— No more McConnell’s ice cream (deliciousness)
— No more Borders Bookstore (great spot for studying)
— Sushi Ai (overpriced sushi)
— Chili’s (not the best customer service but it is what it is)
— Sundance Beach (who shops here?)
— Best Buy (why shop here when everything is online now?)
— Starbucks (always crowded)
— Camino Real Cinemas (we have Redbox and Netflix now)

This marketplace is very useful for students as it has some cheap eats, Albertsons, Costco, a movie theatre, Home Depot, Staples, Sports Authority, Sweet Alley, Blenders in the Grass, Starbucks, Best Buy, Ross, and AT&T.
It doesn’t have much to offer in the clothes department though. They also just shut down the Borders which I was pretty disappointed about.
I’ve also heard that there’s a farmer’s market every weekend (I think) but I haven’t frequented it yet.
Pros: accessibility and useful stores
Cons: there isn’t much else going on here
Verdict: A very useful shopping marketplace that I frequently visit.

This is a great shopping center. We usually end up here Saturday Mornings to get a coffee from Starbucks and a bagel from Anna’s. Enjoy the sun and people watch. Usually families bring their young children to hang out in the circle. Some times there are musicians that set up there and provide some great background music and it’s pet friendly. :) Farmers Market comes Thursdays and Sunday Morning.

I like to keep it real in the Camino Real Mktplce, obviously. My friend/​coworker and I have been talking about doing the Goleta Loop… Booze it up at Zaffiro, Chili’s, Hollister Brewing Company, and then Gina’s for pitchers and pizza. D E L I C I O U S. I guess that’s not really a loop… Goleta Moonshape/​Semi-​Oval
But I always enjoy walking around Borders, particularly in the Sci-​Fi/​Fantasy section (NOT slash JENN C. SUCKS) and I love Linen’s and Things because they have this gigantic WALL o’ Yankee Candle products. Sniff Macintosh… It’ll change your world
If nothing else, it houses costco.

A very useful shopping center, for anyone living around the area, and especially for UCSB students, faculty, friends and family.
Camino Real Marketplace has anything to fulfill your basic needs.
I find these places particularly handy:
–Costco Wholesale (food at Costco: the polish dog and soda for $ 1.50, also has cheap/​decent pizza and churros)
–Camino Real Cinema
–Borders Books & Music
–Linens ‘n Things
–Home Depot
–Comp USA
–Staples
Restaurants:
Blenders in the Grass (great, healthy smoothies)
Gina’s Pizza & Pastaria
Pascucci
Baja Grill
Kahuna Grill
Camino Real Café
Mika (Japanese food)
Seattle’s Best (not sure what this is?)
Starbucks Coffee
McDonald’s
Chili’s Bar & Grill
Anna’s Bakery
McConnell’s Ice Cream
Other businesses:
–Sundance Beach (has some clothes and beachwear)
–Sportmart
–PJ’s Hallmark (for that last minute card/​gift)
–Color Me Mine (paint some pottery or mugs)
–Nutri-​Sport
–The Ocean Floor
–Channel Communications
Services:
–Key Point Credit Union
–Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
–Hayashida & Assoc. Physical Therapy
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