In 1956, the first aerospace company campus was constructed on Hollister Avenue by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. In 1962 the four original buildings were taken over by General Motors and in 1999 are used by the Litton Corporation and Frontier Technology.

The arrival of the University of California campus in 1954 and many other aerospace companies as well as the expansion of the airport, changed the Goleta Valley forever from a prosperous farming region to a high technology research area and an urban bedroom community. The future of Goleta is now in technology and commercial development. Goleta is a community of housing districts, eight shopping areas and small high technology firms. In February 2002, Goleta was incorporated into cityhood.

For more information see: "Goleta, the Good Land" by Walker Tompkins, "Gunpowder and Canvas" by Justin Ruhge, "Looking Back" by Justin Ruhge, "The Western Front" by Justin Ruhge