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Grocery Shops in the Area

Here are four places to shop for groceries in the Isla Vista or extended Goleta/Santa Barbara area. I share my own experiences and provide my personal pros and cons for each.

IV Co-Op

PROS: 

  • Extremely close (if you live on campus or in IV)

  • Supporting a small, local business

  • A range of affordable, high-quality produce

  • Have healthier pre-made meals if you're on the go!

  • Great if you need something personal-sized

  • Great atmosphere

CONS: 

  • Some items are on the expensive side (especially dairy and bread)

  • May not have as many options as other stores

  • Have healthier options more than comfort ones

IV co op.webp
Farmer's Markets

PROS: 

  • A quick drive to the Goleta location (Camino Real Marketplace)

  • Supporting small, local vendors

  • The most high-quality fruits and vegetables!

  • Great if you need something personal-sized

CONS: 

  • May not be in walking/biking distance (SB location, especially)

  • Limited to certain produce, cannot get many snack options here

  • Only open certain days of the week

Trader Joes 

PROS: 

  • A quick drive to the Goleta location

  • Extremely affordable

  • Delicious snacks and treats

  • Great if you need something personal-sized

  • Fan favorite, great atmosphere

CONS: 

  • May run out of stock of certain items if you go at a bad time

  • Produce is not always amazing in quality

  • Not in biking/walking distance

Costco

PROS: 

  • A quick drive to the Goleta location (Camino Real Marketplace)

  • Bang for your buck!

  • Huge portions that will last for a long time if used sparingly (especially for group meals)

  • A range of good-quality food and produce options

CONS: 

  • Cannot go without Costco membership card/gift card

  • Portions may be too large for an individual college student

  • May not be in walking/biking distance for some

  • Can be overwhelming

Of course, there are many places to shop in the area, but these are some of UCSB students' most popular places to go depending on their budget and the quality of food. Other honorable mentions include Whole Foods, Target, IV Market, Albertsons, and Smart & Final!

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