We know grocery shopping without a car can be a challenge, but your local government is here to help you figure it out. Plus, there's a real upside: you'll save money by not bringing a car to Isla Vista just to grocery shop and drive it home again at the end of the quarter. We're also working to make local grocery shopping easier than ever, through our Isla Vista Food Co-op membership program and by promoting SBMTD's The Wave microtransit service directly to and from Trader Joe's. Here's everything you need to know.

Shop Local: The Isla Vista Food Co-op

The Isla Vista Food Co-op has served Isla Vista for over 50 years and offers a wide selection of fresh, local produce, right in the neighborhood, within walking or biking distance of most IV housing.

Worth knowing: the Co-op can run a bit more expensive than Trader Joe's on everyday items. But it also runs great sales, and you can stretch your grocery budget further by pairing Co-op shopping with free food from the UCSB Food Bank (a combo plenty of us relied on back in our own college days).

Free Co-op Membership Program: IVCSD is currently funding 166 free household memberships at the Co-op for Isla Vista addresses. If your household is one of them, membership gets you Co-op points on every purchase, 15% off special and bulk orders (hello house dinners!), biweekly member-only promotions, and monthly e-coupons. Learn more and see how to activate your household's membership on our Co-op Membership Program page.

Other Grocery Options in IV

The Co-op isn't the only option right in the neighborhood. Isla Vista Market and International Food Market are also located in IV and worth checking out, especially for quick trips or specialty items.

Free Groceries Through the UCSB Food Bank

If you're a UCSB student, the UCSB Associated Students Food Bank provides free groceries to all students. The Food Bank stocks fresh produce, pantry staples, and even basic care products. Students may visit the pantry once per day, located on-campus at the University Center. Visit their website for current hours.

Trader Joe's Is Just a Few Dollars Away

For a bigger grocery run, Trader Joe's in Goleta is easily reachable without a car using The Wave: Santa Barbara MTD's on-demand microtransit service. The Wave works similarly to Uber or Lyft, but at a low flat rate of just $3, and with specific pickup/drop-off zones located in Isla Vista and around Goleta. You can order a trip from pickup zones in Isla Vista or UCSB straight to Trader Joe's for just $3.

Target and Costco Runs

Need a Target or Costco trip? Both are located at Storke Plaza, which is served directly by MTD bus line #11. Beyond that, your best bets are carpooling with friends who have a car, or renting one for the day through a service like Zipcar or Turo.

Grocery Delivery

Prefer to skip the trip entirely? Grocery delivery through apps like Instacart or Uber Eats can bring groceries straight to your door. If cost is a concern, ask your housemates if they want to place a shared order and split the delivery fee. It's an easy way to save money while still getting what you need.

Carpool or Ask a Housemate

If a housemate has a car and is already heading out to shop, ask if you can tag along, or if they'd be willing to grab a few things for you. You can always pay them back with Venmo. It's a simple way to get what you need without needing a car of your own, and a great excuse to coordinate a household grocery run together.

The Bottom Line

Between the Co-op right in the neighborhood, free groceries through the UCSB Food Bank, other local markets, easy transit out to Trader Joe's, Target, and Costco, delivery apps, and a little help from your housemates, getting groceries without a car in Isla Vista is often cheaper and more convenient than driving and finding parking.

For more ways to get around Isla Vista without a car, visit our Do You Need a Car in Isla Vista? page.