DUI Checkpoints in Santa Barbara, CA
| City | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Vista | Sobriety/driver license checkpoint near Isla Vista in the unincorporated area | Friday, September 19, 2025 | 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Goleta | DUI Checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the City of Goleta. | Friday September 19, 2025 | 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Santa Maria | DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the city | Saturday, September 13, 2025, From 6 to 2 AM |
| Goleta | The Goleta Police Department will hold a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the City of Goleta. | Friday, August 15, 2025 – 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Goleta | RoadBlocks at an undisclosed location within the city of Goleta. | Friday, May 16, 2025, From 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Santa Maria | DUI Block at 1400 block of South Broadway, at the intersection of Broadway and Plaza Drive | May 3, 2025, From 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Goleta | DUI checkpoint in conjunction with the unsanctioned Deltopia Event in Isla Vista. DUI Block at an undisclosed location within the City of Goleta. Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. | Saturday April 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM [Deltopia Weekend] |
| Santa Maria, CA | DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location based on data identifying areas with a high incidence of impaired driving-related crashes. By Santa Maria Police Department | Friday, March 21, 2025, From 6 PM to 2 AM |
| Santa Barbara | DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the Santa Barbara city limits. | Saturday, February 1, 2025 |
| Santa Barbara | DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location in Santa Barbara. | Saturday, December 28, 2024 |
Santa Barbara County, known for its scenic coastline, college towns, wine country, and tourist-heavy downtown areas, is a hotbed for DUI enforcement efforts. From Isla Vista party scenes to Santa Maria’s urban core, local law enforcement works closely with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Santa Barbara Police Department, and various city police agencies to operate sobriety checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols. These checkpoints are most often conducted during weekends, holidays, wine festivals, and major university events.
Below is a comprehensive list of more than 20 common DUI checkpoint locations in Santa Barbara County, with full details on enforcement and timing.
1. Santa Barbara – State Street near Cabrillo Boulevard
Address: State St & Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Enforcement: Santa Barbara Police Department
Details: This location is at the heart of Santa Barbara’s waterfront tourist district. Checkpoints are routinely placed here during summer weekends, Fiesta Week, and New Year’s Eve.
Typical Times: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 PM – 2 AM
2. Santa Barbara – Milpas Street near U.S. 101 On-Ramp
Address: Milpas St near US-101, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Enforcement: Santa Barbara Police Department & CHP
Details: Positioned near freeway access and close to nightlife spots, this location is a common choke point for outbound traffic after bar closing hours.
Typical Times: Weekends, 9 PM – 2 AM
3. Goleta – Hollister Avenue near Fairview Avenue
Address: Hollister Ave & Fairview Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
Enforcement: Goleta Police Department & CHP
Details: Near major shopping centers and restaurants, checkpoints are commonly conducted here during university events and graduation season.
Typical Times: Fridays, 7 PM – Midnight
4. Isla Vista – El Colegio Road near Camino Pescadero
Address: El Colegio Rd & Camino Pescadero, Isla Vista, CA 93117
Enforcement: UC Santa Barbara Police & Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Details: One of the most heavily policed areas during college party weekends. Halloween and Deltopia bring large-scale DUI operations.
Typical Times: Thursdays through Saturdays, 9 PM – 3 AM (especially during UCSB events)
5. Santa Maria – Broadway (SR-135) near Main Street (SR-166)
Address: Broadway & Main St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Enforcement: Santa Maria Police Department
Details: As a central artery through the city, this is a frequent checkpoint area for traffic flowing to and from downtown bars.
Typical Times: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 PM – 1 AM
6. Santa Maria – Donovan Road near Miller Street
Address: Donovan Rd & Miller St, Santa Maria, CA 93458
Enforcement: Santa Maria Police Department
Details: This area borders several residential neighborhoods, making it ideal for stopping impaired drivers returning home after social outings.
Typical Times: Weekend evenings, 7 PM – Midnight
7. Lompoc – Ocean Avenue near H Street
Address: Ocean Ave & H St, Lompoc, CA 93436
Enforcement: Lompoc Police Department
Details: Checkpoints in this central part of Lompoc target both local and through traffic, particularly after citywide events or festivals.
Typical Times: Fridays, 6 PM – 11 PM
8. Lompoc – Central Avenue near V Street
Address: Central Ave & V St, Lompoc, CA 93436
Enforcement: Lompoc Police Department
Details: This is a quieter zone that sees checkpoints used as a backup enforcement area when downtown zones are saturated.
Typical Times: Holiday weekends, 7 PM – 11 PM
9. Buellton – Avenue of Flags near SR-246
Address: Avenue of Flags & SR-246, Buellton, CA 93427
Enforcement: CHP – Buellton Area Office
Details: Adjacent to wineries and tourist lodging, checkpoints are active during wine festivals and holiday travel surges.
Typical Times: Festival weekends, 5 PM – 10 PM
10. Solvang – Alisal Road near Mission Drive
Address: Alisal Rd & Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Enforcement: Solvang Sheriff’s Substation
Details: Tourists often visit the Danish-themed town for wine and fine dining. DUI checkpoints are common during summer and wine walk events.
Typical Times: Saturdays, 4 PM – 9 PM
11. Santa Ynez – Highway 246 near Edison Street
Address: Hwy 246 & Edison St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Enforcement: CHP & Santa Barbara County Sheriff
Details: Known for wine tasting rooms and casinos, this area is closely monitored during seasonal events.
Typical Times: Fridays and Saturdays, 3 PM – 9 PM
12. Guadalupe – West Main Street near Obispo Street
Address: W Main St & Obispo St, Guadalupe, CA 93434
Enforcement: Guadalupe Police Department
Details: Rural but high-risk during harvest festivals and weekend rodeos.
Typical Times: Saturdays, 6 PM – Midnight
13. Carpinteria – Carpinteria Avenue near Linden Avenue
Address: Carpinteria Ave & Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Enforcement: Carpinteria Sheriff’s Office
Details: A key beach access point, often used for DUI operations after beach parties or surf competitions.
Typical Times: Summer weekends, 7 PM – Midnight
14. Summerland – Ortega Hill Road near Evans Avenue
Address: Ortega Hill Rd & Evans Ave, Summerland, CA 93067
Enforcement: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Details: A small town near US-101, checkpoints here serve as overflow for traffic leaving coastal celebrations.
Typical Times: Holiday weekends, 5 PM – 10 PM
15. Los Alamos – Bell Street near Centennial Street
Address: Bell St & Centennial St, Los Alamos, CA 93440
Enforcement: CHP – Buellton
Details: Popular with tourists during food and wine weekends. A rural setting but a known checkpoint site.
Typical Times: Event weekends, 4 PM – 9 PM
16. Orcutt – Clark Avenue near Bradley Road
Address: Clark Ave & Bradley Rd, Orcutt, CA 93455
Enforcement: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Details: A busy suburban hub where local traffic is monitored post-bar closing.
Typical Times: Fridays, 7 PM – Midnight
17. Vandenberg Village – Constellation Road near Burton Mesa Boulevard
Address: Constellation Rd & Burton Mesa Blvd, Lompoc, CA 93436
Enforcement: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Details: A quieter area targeted during school breaks and family events.
Typical Times: Thursdays and Fridays, 6 PM – 10 PM
18. Goleta – Storke Road near Hollister Avenue
Address: Storke Rd & Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
Enforcement: Goleta Police Department
Details: Near student housing and Isla Vista party overflow. High risk for student-related DUI cases.
Typical Times: UCSB events, 8 PM – 1 AM
19. Santa Barbara – Las Positas Road near Cliff Drive
Address: Las Positas Rd & Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Enforcement: Santa Barbara Police Department
Details: Scenic but strategic, this checkpoint serves post-beach and hiking traffic.
Typical Times: Sundays and holidays, 3 PM – 8 PM
20. Santa Maria – Betteravia Road near Broadway (SR-135)
Address: Betteravia Rd & Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Enforcement: Santa Maria Police Department
Details: A retail-heavy zone that’s common for holiday DUI stings.
Typical Times: Black Friday, Christmas weekends, 5 PM – 10 PM
21. Santa Barbara – Carrillo Street near Bath Street
Address: Carrillo St & Bath St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Enforcement: Santa Barbara Police Department
Details: Close to the downtown nightlife strip, this location catches bar hoppers and Uber-dodgers alike.
Typical Times: Thursday-Saturday, 9 PM – 2 AM