The Community of Isla Vista
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Over the years, the community of Isla Vista has become synonymous with students
and student lifestyles. But Isla Vista is also: a community for families and children
(450 children attend the local Isla Vista Elementary School); a respite from the
rigors of academia (both UCSB and SBCC students live and study here); a new home
for recently arrived immigrants (Spanish is the first language of a growing population);
a retirement town (200 seniors live in Friendship Manor); and a paradise for athletes
(witness the cyclists, skateboarders, surfers, and runners outside every day of
the year).
Situated on one-half square mile on the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean, Isla Vista
is part of a spectacular geographic area. Environmentalists, scientists, and nature
lovers have worked to protect the undeveloped areas within and adjacent to Isla
Vista. The creation and maintenance of "open space," as a way to balance the dense
property development, are important community issues. In 1991, the Redevelopment
Agency for Isla Vista purchased all the remaining undeveloped land on the bluffs
of Del Playa Drive to maintain as recreational and open space. Two of Isla Vista's
newest parks, Pelican Park, located on the blufftops at 6541 Del Playa, and Walter
H. Capps Park, at 6709 Del Playa, have panoramic views of Devereux Point, UCSB's
Campus Point and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.
Originally a thriving Chumash Indian settlement when the Spanish arrived in the
mid-1500s, Isla Vista secured a place in history between 1968 and 1970 with a series
of civil disturbances and protests as students and residents clashed with police.
Out of the turmoil emerged a number of grassroots efforts to improve the community,
culminating in the creation of many service organizations and non-profits. One example
is the Isla Vista Foot Patrol, established in 1970-the first community policing
effort in the United States. Local law enforcement is provided by UCSB campus police,
Santa Barbara sheriff's officers, and the California Highway Patrol who respond
on foot, bicycle, and by car. Paramedics and fire fighters provide additional emergency
response from the UCSB campus.
Often considered just a beach community filled with laid-back students who study
during the week and party on the weekends, Isla Vista is, in reality, a densely-populated
urban area with a complicated set of social dynamics. Isla Vista residents are confronted
with parking problems, crowded living conditions, personal and public safety concerns,
and conflicts exacerbated by substance abuse. In addition, residents cite noise
and high rents among the challenges of living in I.V. UCSB works with residents
on these issues and actively addresses alcohol and other drug abuse problems through
a multifaceted program of education, early intervention, environmental change, and
enforcement.
Despite the challenges facing this community, there is a vibrancy and dynamism to
life in Isla Vista. For the thousands of students who call Isla Vista "home," community
service opportunities are available at every turn. For example, students can provide
companionship to the elderly at Friendship Manor, mentor an at-risk teen at the
Isla Vista Teen Center, teach a second-grader to read as a tutor at the Isla Vista
Elementary School, assist at a health fair for the Neighborhood Medical Clinic,
volunteer with the Adopt-a-Block program, or challenge a policy issue during a board
meeting of the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District. A variety of UCSB and County
of Santa Barbara offices offer services and opportunities for all residents of Isla
Vista to participate in community affairs. Embarcadero Hall houses the offices of
the Isla Vista/UCSB Liaison, CASE, the UCSB Student Health program which provides
early intervention services and alcohol education sessions, the Isla Vista Alcohol
and Other Drug Council (IV AOD) and the Third District field office. The Hall also
serves as an Emergency Operations Center for the Isla Vista community. UCSB also
operates Isla Vista Theater's two lecture halls and Embarcadero Hall for classes
by day and as entertainment venues by night.
UCSB, the County of Santa Barbara, and the Isla Vista Recreation & Parks District
have teamed together to develop a comprehensive, long range Master Plan for the
community of Isla Vista. The Master Plan identifies development policies for the
Isla Vista community and specific projects to improve housing, infrastructure, transportation,
community services and downtown business opportunities. See www.countyofsb.org/rda/ivmasterplan.asp for more information.
This is a dynamic time for all Isla Vista residents. Both students and non-students
are getting strong support from UCSB and the County of Santa Barbara to improve
the quality of life in the community. Local organizations and health and human service
agencies are collaborating on efforts to enhance their services. Academic, social,
and philanthropic projects are abundant-and you are invited to participate and get
involved. Welcome to Isla Vista!
- Catherine Boyer, Community Liaison, Isla Vista/UCSB Community Services Center
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