Chuck Woodstock and Mike Chew were in search of the quintessential college town, and they found it in IV. What could be better? IV is right on the coast; it’s next to a large, prestigious university; the residents here like to party; and they’re totally kicked-back.

They found the perfect location at the corner of Embarcadero del Norte and Madrid. J.B. (a local who hung out next door at the Artists’ Response) was hired to paint our landmark mural on the wall outside. Borsodi’s (a counterculture coffeehouse) was in the same building and across the street was the BofA that was burned down in the 60s (which made for some great atmosphere!).

Chuck and Chew teamed with Larry Woodstock (Chuck’s brother), Jeff Ambrose and Tammy Rumpel to open Woodstock’s in September 1982. It didn’t take long for Woodstock’s to become a popular student hangout. In fact it wasn’t just the students who hung out there. The vagrants that used to inhabit the back parking lot were thrilled to have Woodstock’s move in – on the Woodstock’s dumpster they spraypainted “Bin O Plenty.”

Chuck and Chew founded Woodstock’s on a simple formula -- to create a fun, student-oriented atmosphere, and to offer classic pizzas that surpassed anything they’d tried elsewhere. One of Chuck’s innovations was to put sauce in the folded-over crust. He also insisted on putting more toppings on the pizza than any of his competitors did. Ideally, you should get a taste of every topping in each bite of a Woodstock’s pizza.

Sadly, Chuck and Chew passed away in a private plane accident in 1985. But Woodstock’s continued on under the ownership of their families.

In 1986 Woodstock’s got the opportunity to expand into the space next door. One of our employees, Bobby Lipman (also known as Bobby J) painted a wild mural that covers an entire wall on that side, and another mural is painted on the surround of our skylight. Speaking of wild times, another of our employees, Steve Wilde, was the creator and namesake of one of our most popular menu items – WildeBread.

Woodstock’s has survived lots of crazy times in IV, including rugby weeks, Extravaganzas, ISVTs (Inter-Sorority Volleyball Tournaments), and Halloweens. For years Halloween in IV was a destination for people from miles around. On Halloween 1992, we made an all-time record of 1000 pizzas in one night. Our customers have been known to roll in empty beer kegs for extra seating when the crowd was pushing the limits at Woodstock’s.

Jeff Ambrose (the original Assistant General Manager) was eventually promoted by the Woodstock and Chew families to President of Woodstock’s* in California. In 2001, he bought the company from the families. A former General Manager in IV, Tom Soucek, is now Operations Manager for all of the Woodstock’s stores in California.

Although the ownership has changed, the founding principles remain the same. The dough is still handmade each day, we still use Chuck’s secret sauce recipe, we insist on using the freshest ingredients available, we still load on the toppings, we teach every employee to make each pizza as if it were for their best friend, and we still have lots of great times at Woodstock’s!

*Woodstock’s has sister locations in Chico, Davis, San Luis Obispo and San Diego. Chuck’s wife, Carol Lee Woodstock, owns the original Woodstock’s Pizza in Corvallis Oregon.

Our mission is to earn loyal customers and team members who uniquely regard Woodstock’s as the Ultimate Pizza Experience.

To earn the distinction of being the Ultimate Pizza Experience we will:

• Prepare every customer’s meal with individual attention.
• Use the freshest, best tasting ingredients.
• Consistently create outstanding, unique pizzas and accompaniments that are widely-regarded
   as the best ever, anywhere!
• Treat each and every customer with friendliness, respect and courtesy.
• Provide outstanding value that keeps customers returning with uncommon frequency.
• Be recognized as a fun and outstanding place to work.
• Provide a fun-filled festive atmosphere.

Woodstock’s will encourage our team members to work hard and have fun.

Woodstock’s will be regarded as a reputable, well-run company by all of our business partners and team members.

Woodstock’s will strengthen and give back to the communities we serve by fostering partnerships with local non-profit organizations.

Voted UCSB's Best Pizza 17 times!
–Daily Nexus

With our history in Isla Vista, we have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s “alumni” who continue to seek out Woodstock’s when they’re back in their old college stomping grounds. In addition, we have thousands of loyal community members who continue to frequent Woodstock’s and recommend us to newcomers.

Many people have taken the time to thank us over the years, as well as share their favorite Woodstock’s memories with us. Below are just a few:

“Absolutely amazing pizza. Couldn´t have asked for anything more….”
- A Woodstock’s Delivery Customer

[We use] Woodstock's peel-a-deal cards to raise money for my student groups. This money helps pay for our competitions at regionals/nationals be it the American Marketing Association (AMA) in New Orleans or the American Advertising Federation-National Student Advertising Competition in Fresno (regional) or Louisville (nationals). I've probably raised over $10,000 through selling these cards the last five years, so it's really helped send additional students to the various collegiate competitions. I hope you continue to use this program as it's been very successful here in Chico.
--Bill McGowan American Marketing Association (AMA)

We´ve loved Woodstocks pizza for years! Great service, excellent pizza, as
always - thanks-
–Mike

This was one of the best salads we´ve ever had! Thanks for an excellent lunch! Our son (UCSB student) orders often from Woodstocks and raves about the food ~ we now understand!! It´s GREAT!!
–Debra, Lakewood, CA

Oh my gosh!!!
OK...I have lived in S.B. all my life. I am a pizza fanatic!!
I had made it my mission to find the best pie around.  I was sure I had found it.

For years I ate at this place (I won’t say names, but it rhymes with crusty's) Never knowing that there was a pizza place in IV.  So on day I met a friend in I.V. for lunch. We ended up at Woodstock's -and the rest is history.

You guys/gals have thee best pizza by far this part of Cali. I now visit your humble abode once a week. You are my "pizza destination"

Thanks for the love,
–Xavier of Santa Barbara Fire & Water -- Cleanup & Restoration

Amazing pizza, I will definately be  back.
–Shane, West Hills

We just traveled to Woodstock's, Isla Vista, over the weekend from Rockwall (outside of Dallas) Texas…. Any time we are near Los Angeles a special trip is made there for lunch - plus we always get 2 extra large, uncooked, cheese pizzas to take back home, freeze and make at our leisure. BTW, while we were there we sat across from another threesome who had driven up from Los Angeles just for lunch. We were glad to know we were not the only ones addicted!!!!!
–Dan Thomson,

I just got back from Woodstocks in IV. They have a new Peanut Butter and Chocolate dessert creation....it is hands down the best thing I have ever eaten!! Melted Chocolate and Peanut Butter.....Elvis would roll over in his grave! They smothered it in Chocolate frosting.....holy moly -- it is my new favorite dessert! You should definately try it if you like chocolate and peanut butter......if you don't there is always the Cinnabread --- I love Cinnabread.....Woodstocks is gonna make me fat...I'm addicted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
–Samantha, SantaBarbara.com

Hands Down...The Best Pizza Place in Santa Barbara
The pizza was the best I have ever eaten. We got the BBQ Bird and a side order of CinnaBread (w/apples). It was perfect! I love pizza and have tried most pizza places in SB...this is the best. The atmosphere is cool too....a great place to drink great beer. The price is moderate, definately not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I´m okay with that!
–Scott  www.santabarbara.com

1988 UCSB grad, Woodstocks was just as good as I remember from 16 years ago! This time I brought my daughter!

woodstocks pizza is awesome. it is addicting. wildebread is amazing.

A great place to eat lunch. love your lunch specials

LOVE the wheat crust! It really hits the spot, and its not overpriced!

We love woodstocks!

This is the first time I had Woodstocks Pizza and it WON´T be my last. The pizza was great and so was the service

I love the pizza, and your employees are excellent!

Woodstock´s rocks!!

I am always stoked to go in there, cause there is no negative vibe that gets let off like when i go in to Giovanni´s. Plus the wildebreade is great!

your pizza is good and you all will make lots of money off me and my roomates this yera

This is my first woodstock´s pie, it was delicious. I ordered xtra large mushrooms and I will never resort to domino´s again. Thanks.

Woodstocks is a great place for anyone to eat at. The excellent food and service are what keep me coming back. Keep up the good work!!

I love the wheat crust. I also love how the sauce is in the crust! YUMMY

As always I highly recommend your pizza to all!

I love Woodstocks! It´s my favorite place to get pizza and always delicious!

Good ol´ woodstocks, best pizza in town

Still my favorite pizza in town.

best wings i´ve ever had

very yummy =0)

I love your pizza!

I love woodstocks

"woodstocks pizza. Wheat crusts, sauce in the crust. Best in town."
–Philo2

"Woodstock's has a friendly dining environment and has won numerous awards for their food. Woodstock's is perfectly priced and probably one of the most delivered pizzas to UCSB college students. Their most popular items include their regular pizzas, wild bread, and cinnamon bread."
–IV Eats

"With all of the dining choices in Isla Vista, sometimes it may be a problem for a big group to agree on what to eat. The easy solution to this problem is Woodstock’s pizza. Woodstock’s pizza is the most frequently ordered food item in I.V. Their free delivery and late hours allow for convenient, quality food for not alot of cash. If you decide to eat in at Woodstock’s, you will enjoy a classic pizzeria atmosphere, including multiple beers on tap. Whether you feel like watching a sporting event while you eat, or if you just feel like hanging out with your friends in a fun environment this is a great dining experience for you. The employees of Woodstock’s are extremely friendly and are always ready to help.

"Woodstock’s, offers many different types of Pizza ranging from traditional to Italian specials. The usual pizza consists of a sauce filled crust of either white or wheat bread, topped with cheese and anything else you please. Pizzas usually sell for about $10-15, depending on the presence of a coupon or not. The food is typically good all the time, but late night the food seems to always hit the spot."
–Art Ackerman, John Elliott, Jeffrey Frame, Stacie Glass

“Great, economical...and cheap. I’ve had some of the funniest times hanging out with my friends there.”
–Sara Allen

"I don't eat anything in I.V. except for the wildbread from Woodstock's...delivered"
–Kristina Webster

"Favorite pizza: Woodstock’s Pizza (Isla Vista)"
–Antonia Maria Galvin (aka Hellena Heavenly) http://www.ringgoddess.com/

"The best pizza near me? Woodstock’s, baby!!"
–MochaRocks123@homestore.com

Woodstock's restaurant reviews on SantaBarbara.com

If you would like to share your Woodstock’s experience, click here.