Tyler Marty, 21, of Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, right, looks on as his brother Eli Marty, 11, throws a football during Spring Break at Casino Beach in Pensacola on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Santa Barbara, California – This year’s unsanctioned “Deltopia” spring break party near UC Santa Barbara saw a dramatic surge in law enforcement activity, with 485 citations issued and 84 arrests made over the weekend—more than double last year’s arrest total.
The annual event, held along Del Playa Drive in the oceanside community of Isla Vista, has become a notorious springtime tradition drawing thousands of partygoers. Officials described this year’s turnout as larger than usual, with a steep rise in alcohol-related incidents and emergency medical calls.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the 2025 Deltopia event began on Friday, April 4, with a relatively calm evening that saw only 20 citations and one arrest. However, Saturday brought a sharp uptick in crowd size and chaos. By noon, authorities had already responded to at least 19 medical emergencies, most related to alcohol intoxication.
The first arrests on Saturday occurred as early as 9:20 a.m., involving obstruction and providing alcohol to a minor. By mid-afternoon, over 60 people had been taken into custody. Among the weekend’s arrests were five underage individuals cited for DUI and one suspect apprehended on firearm charges. Deputies found the individual carrying a loaded weapon near Marketplace Drive around 11 a.m.
Shortly afterward, deputies executed a warrant related to a month-long investigation into an illegal paid party scheme. Six individuals were arrested for allegedly using a ticketing platform to sell entry to an unpermitted event—violating local festival ordinances.
Despite the high numbers, authorities noted there were no fatalities or serious injuries. “Thankfully, there were no reported fatalities from cliff falls or fentanyl overdoses,” the sheriff’s office said.
Lieutenant Schmidt of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol praised the efforts of the nearly 300 officers from eight agencies deployed over the weekend. “With the larger-than-usual crowds, our officers did an excellent job keeping up and ensuring the safety of the community,” he said.
In comparison, Deltopia 2024 resulted in 256 citations and 32 arrests. In 2023, there were 151 citations and 23 arrests, making this year’s spike a significant concern for local officials moving forward.
