After the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a noise ordinance that would essentially cancel Deltopia, Isla Vista’s annual unsanctioned street party, Isla Vista Community Services District‘s Myah Mashhadialireza had less than three months to plan an alternative permitted festival.
Despite being told it would be impossible, Isla Vista’s business corridor on April 4 will be transformed into Soltopia, a spring festival.
The festival will feature multiple live DJ and band stages, free food for residents, art installations, a beer garden and a thrift market. It will also have safety resources on site.
“It felt very impossible when we started,” said Mashhadialireza, the district’s community programs and engagement director. “But I feel really thankful to have the team that I do that believed in my crazy idea, and we’ve just been working hard to just see what we can do to make it happen.”
In January, the county supervisors approved a proposed 72-hour noise ordinance from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office that would be in effect for the first weekend of April.
Deltopia, largely celebrated on Del Playa Drive, draws thousands of people each year to Isla Vista. The unsanctioned street party has led to two deaths — one in 2013 and one in 2023 — and every year there are numerous arrests, citations and hospitalizations.
Mashhadialireza said she knew the festival needed the proper infrastructure to support thousands of people, including bathrooms, water, and first aid tents, which Del Playa Drive never had.
“What I wanted to ensure is that whatever we do next is something that can be long-standing,” Mashhadialireza said. “How do we create all of that structure and make sure that the bones are there for something that can be replicated but still have the fun and energy that makes Isla Vista so unique?”
Soltopia will be held between Pardall Road and Trigo Road, along Embarcadero Del Norte and Embarcadero Del Mar.
The district gave funds to several businesses so they would be able to provide free food on the day of the festival.
Mashhadialireza said they wanted to support businesses that rely on the high revenues that Deltopia brings.
“We know that Deltopia was a huge bump in the economy for the entire summer months when Isla Vista is basically dead,” Mashhadialireza said. “What we really wanted to do was to ensure that with this noise ordinance that we didn’t lose that, and that’s another big reason why we decided to bring (the festival) into the commercial district.”
Isla Vista residents can sign up for a wristband that will get them free food at Roger’s Tacos, Yetz’s Bagels, Bagel Cafe, Super Cuca’s, Elubia’s Kitchen, Maria’s Tacos, Isla Vista Food Co-op and Zocalo.
The wristbands also give residents priority access at each entertainment zone.
Daniel Dunietz, owner of Yetz’s Bagels, said his business is busy every weekend, but when he used to operate Dank Bowls in the same location, Deltopia would bring in double or triple the amount of revenue compared to an average weekend.
“Eating carbs is a great way to not blackout,” Dunietz said. “So if there’s a way I can help, and if the local government is willing to help cover some of the costs and it’s not like I’m losing money on it, then it’s a win-win. We’re happy to do it.”
Soltopia will have 70 security guards throughout the festival and two Sheriff’s Office safety stations for emergencies.
Sheriff’s Office deputies will mainly be focused on the south end of Isla Vista and enforcing the noise ordinance and other violations.
“We are close to the festival in case it requires a law enforcement response,” Isla Vista Foot Patrol Lieutenant Joe Schmidt said. The Isla Vista Foot Patrol is a substation of the Sheriff’s Office located on the border of Isla Vista and the UC Santa Barbara campus.
“But for the festival itself, we’re going to rely on their personnel, their medics and security to handle any issues at the lowest level possible, but we’re prepared to step in and assist if things escalate.”
Schmidt said there will be zero tolerance for violating the ordinance, which will be in effect from midnight on Friday, April 3, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.
“Anyone that attempts to play amplified music from their house or apartment, if we can hear it from the street, they’re going to get a ticket,” Schmidt said.
Beyond the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the Ventura County Sheriff‘s Office, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff‘s Office, Santa Barbara City Police Department, Santa Maria Police Department, California Highway Patrol, UC Santa Barbara Police and agents with the Alcoholic Beverage Control will be on site.
When the noise ordinance was approved, there were concerns that partygoers would celebrate Deltopia on a different weekend. In case that happens, Schmidt said they are planning for increased law enforcement activity in the subsequent weekends in April.
With this being the first year of the ordinance, Schmidt said the goal is to have fewer hospitalizations, arrests, citations and out-of-town visitors.
“We really want to change the culture of this weekend to make it a local event and to allow the locals to celebrate this amazing community… but without all the harm that’s commonly associated with the last 16 years of Deltopia,” Schmidt said.
E.J. Raad, a third-year political science major at UC Santa Barbara and external vice president for local affairs with Associated Students, advocated against the ordinance.
He said his main concern is that not enough people know about the ordinance and what could warrant a citation. However, he is supportive of Soltopia.
“I think Soltopia will be a good event, it looks really well planned, so I think that’s gonna draw a lot of people, which is good,” Raad said. “I just hope that the messaging has been enough, because I think there’s still a lot of confusion around how the ordinance works.”
Raad said there have been rumors about parties on different weekends, but there hasn’t been a big centralized effort to move Deltopia to a different date that he’s aware of.
“As much as I obviously disagree with the ordinance, I still obviously hope everything’s safe and good. I don’t want there to be some big issue or big conflict,” Raad said. “I hope Soltopia’s good; maybe it can set a precedent for a good sanctioned event long term.”
Click here for a virtual Soltopia map with entertainment, restrooms, water, and safety resources.
