Isla Vista is gearing up for Deltopia, the annual unsanctioned street party that brings in thousands of students and visitors during the first weekend of UC Santa Barbara’s spring quarter.
In preparation, more than 30 volunteers passed out Narcan, the opioid-overdose reversal medication, fentanyl test strips, and other safety information to Isla Vista residents Wednesday evening.
It was the second year that Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps hosted the Narcan distribution event after a UCSB student died of an overdose during Deltopia in 2023.
“This is all about safety and prevention,” Capps said. “We have no idea what we do today could save three lives, could save 17 lives and we’ll never know, but we’ll know that we did our part to help make this very fun but dangerous weekend safer.”
Volunteers were shown how to administer the medication, and Santa Barbara County Fire personnel explained how the drug works.
Jenny Simon, with the county’s Emergency Medical Services, explained that Narcan does not work on alcohol, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamines and other recreational drugs. She said that a sign of an opioid overdose is if someone is fully unconscious or not as conscious as they should be, and that Narcan can be safely given even if someone hasn’t taken an opioid.
“The effect of Narcan is 30 minutes; the effect of an opioid is from three to 24 hours. So, if you use Narcan on somebody, it’s really important that you access us. That’s what we do,” Simon said. “When you call 911, we can come in and help you with that person and make sure that we monitor them so that if the effect of that opioid kicks back in, we can take care of them.”
Naloxone kits, drink test strips and fentanyl test strips are also available for free at the Health and Safety Vending Machine at the Isla Vista Community Center, 976 Embarcadero del Mar, Suite 101.
Alternative Events
In an effort to limit the number of partygoers on Del Playa Drive, the Isla Vista Community Services District is hosting a Spring Festival from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Little Acorn and People’s Park on El Embarcadero Road.
The festival will include free tacos, live music, a mocktail bar and more.
On Saturday night, the Associated Students Program Board is hosting a concert with Big Sean and Babytron at 8 p.m. at the Events Center Thunderdome. Tickets will be $5, and the concert is only for UCSB students with a valid access card.
Recovery Center and Wellness Checkpoints
IVCSD is partnering with Good Samaritan to turn the Isla Vista Community Center into a recovery center from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The center will be for anyone in need of short-term recovery assistance, if they’re experiencing the effects of substance use or just need a space to calm down and stabilize. The center will have free food, water, charging stations, and cots.
Wellness checkpoints staffed with trained EMTs will be at Little Acorn Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. EMTs will provide basic first aid and determine whether individuals need additional medical care.
Isla Vista safety stations will be at Little Acorn Park and Window to the Sea Park on Friday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and at Little Acorn Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight.
The safety stations are staffed with students employed by the UCSB Police Department but who are not law enforcement. They offer a place to rest and report emergencies. Safety escorts are also available upon requests. Residents can call 805.893.2000 or walk up for a safety escort by a student safety partner.
Parking Restrictions and Road Closures
Trigo Road, Sabado Trade and Del Playa will be closed from 8 a.m. until early Saturday evening. Residents on those streets should plan to park elsewhere during that time if they need to use their vehicle.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other services will not be permitted on Trigo Road, Sabado Trade and Del Playa. There will be an Uber and Lyft drop-off zone in front of the Isla Vista Food Co-op at 6575 Seville Road from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Residents are advised to make arrangements to meet food delivery drivers at the intersections with Trigo or at the top of the loop.
Parking permits have been issued to Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista, including neighborhoods from Hollister Avenue to the southern city limits, and from Cannon Green Drive, including cul-de-sac streets on the west side of Cannon Green Drive, to Storke Road.
Each household should have received two parking passes by March 31. Permits should be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window for vehicles parked on the street from noon Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday.
Click here for an interactive map with restrooms, drink stations, road closures and medical services.
Laws and Ordinances
The restorative justice program, which allows for certain citations to be dismissed through attending a class and completing community service in Isla Vista, will be suspended during Deltopia weekend.
That means that all citations will be forwarded to the court, and sustained violations will become permanent record.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is warning partygoers about a scam where a ticketing app is offering prepaid tickets for parties during Deltopia. Those parties violate local laws and could be shut down and lead to fines.
Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said some residents are reporting fraudulent event listings on party apps, with scammers posting fake parties at unsuspecting addresses.
Beach Closure
The Isla Vista beaches will close from 8 a.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday.
The beaches have closed every year since the Floatopia event of 2009 when the beaches were left with trash and debris, including human waste.
History
Deltopia started as Floatopia in 2004, with attendees using flotation devices in the ocean. The event increased in popularity over the years, leading to 2009 when an estimated 12,000 people swarmed the beach.
When officials put an alcohol ban on Isla Vista beaches, the party moved to Del Playa Drive and became Deltopia.
In 2014, a riot broke out, leading to numerous individuals being arrested, and officers were injured after being struck with rocks and glass bottles. Tear gas and rubber bullets were being deployed as deputies and officers worked to regain control of the streets.
While the annual event seemed to calm down during the COVID-19 pandemic, it came back stronger than ever. In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office reported that there were 106 emergency medical calls, 35 hospitalizations, 31 arrests and 244 citations issued. Approximately 30,000 people were in attendance.