Goleta, California: Where the Japanese Attacked California

A historical marker stands on a California beach nearest the spot where a Japanese submarine surfaced in 1942 and began firing artillery shells.

Address:: 8301 Hollister Ave., Goleta, CA
Directions:: US-101 exit 110. Turn toward the beach, then at the stop sign turn right onto Hollister Ave. Drive a half-mile, then turn left into the parking lot. Park, walk along the path toward the beach. Pass the tennis courts, then turn left at the fork that leads toward the restrooms and food truck. The sign, on a pole, is at the end of the path near the restrooms.

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Visitor Tips and News About Where the Japanese Attacked California

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Japanese Attack plaque.

Where the Japanese Attacked California

The beach house landmark has been removed. Proceed down the trail, past the tennis courts (towards the beach), then turn left at the fork that leads towards the Restrooms and Food Truck. The sign is located at the end of the path near the restrooms.

[Stephen Smith, 04/25/2023]

Japanese Attack sign.

Where Japan Attacked California

We looked for the Historical Marker and it was like geocaching. Imprecise directions and no one could help us. From the directions and photograph on the list it seems that the marker may have been moved. We drove to the entrance to Baraca Resort and Spa, and the guy at the entrance didn't know anything about the marker. We pulled into the beach access parking lot by the tennis courts and, as stated in the directions, walked down to the beach. It took several minutes of searching all around before we found it. Before you get to the beach there is a "Beach House" building. Take the trail that runs behind the "Beach House," and at the fork in the trail that leads to the beach, on the left side, on a pole, is the historical marker.

[Wayne and Karen Brown, 03/24/2013]

The marker was indeed moved from its unveiling spot at the museum to its current spot on the beach. Thanks for the point-to-point directions!

Japanese Attack Historical Marker.

Where the Japanese Attacked California

A historical marker stands on the beach nearest the spot where a full-size Japanese submarine surfaced in 1942 and began lobbing artillery shells at California. It was the first attack against mainland America of World War II. Whoever fired the gun had terrible aim, no one was hurt (there wasn't even much damage), and after 20 minutes the submarine gave up and sailed out to sea, never to return.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 04/22/2012]