I went in for a pair of glasses and the the girl with long dark hair was very unfriendly and unhelpful to the point of being rude. She seemed extremely bothered that I wanted to try on glasses, and for the record I tried on 3 pairs before I was so u comfortable that I left. I will take my business somewhere else. I do not recommend this place at all. Worst service ever. read more

I got some good quality glasses here and paid for a warranty on the $1000 "blended bifocal carbon lenses with tint for bright sunlight". I already had good quality titanium frame for them to fit. Glasses are crucial for me as I have deteriorating vision due to glaucoma and well, aging and eye sensitivity retina problem. Expensive glasses but I appreciated the quality. Fast forward three years to living out of state now, gardening in bushes that whacked me in the face knocking and badly bending the frames. The lenses were still perfect. I sent the whole thing back to this eyeglass shop in December ( insured for full cost ) with a signature required, guaranteed delivery, so I knew they were received. I had purchased a warranty on them. No one called. When I called to find out about them no one knew where they were. I had to call a half dozen times to finally get help. I agreed to pay for new frames then silence again from this vendor and the technician handling it just never followed through or did anything to move the process forward with no frame options offered and failed he even to call when he said he would and always told me how busy the shop was serving PRESENT customers. I fell to the "wayside" again and again, although I emphasized that my eye problems were worsening and the replacement store readers I bought and had to use to see, seemed to cause eye strain, that was getting worse and worse with reddening, discharge resulting and increasing discomfort. A n entire month passed with the same excuses and no real care my condition and my need dropping from sight in this group, just telling me they were busy. I felt clearly my eye problems and need for help were of no consequence to the staff. They all made me feel, this was a huge bother to them, and always referring to all the work they had to do for others there and how busy they were. Finally finally glasses were ordered( I picked new frames within one hour of receiving options) and $400 dollars was paid by me for replacement frames. I told the technician several times my address and PO Box and also asked him several times to expedite delivery and paid an extra$50 for that. I also told him several times to should be insured for full value, and a signature required since we had had trouble with post office and UPS deliveries just" never arriving". The glasses did not ever arrive. UPS claimed they were "left at front door"( I have no front door) and they apparently cannot be found, nor do they know who supposedly delivered the parcel that contained them . I have no glasses, am sickened with frustration with these people and after hearing that they did not arrive and saying that they would trace them, the inattentive "over-busy with real clients" technician has not even communicated with me in a week and a half following. He did admit that he failed to insure them for full value and did not request a signature delivery because " he did not see a box to check for that". UPS has no idea where the glasses are, but admits NO deliveries have actually been brought up to mhouse in a rural location here. I still have no glasses and no further follow up unsurprisingly from this vendor! They emailed me my prescription though and suggested I get some made locally. Otherwise vanished! So. Grab you purse hold it tightly shut and go somewhere ELSE to have your glasses made. Absolutely the worst service and follow up care ever from opticians! It is in my opinion a high priced "clip "shop, offering bogus warranties, plus they have no qualms about displaying their indifference to a patient's medical problems resulting from their inattentive unavailable service. No conscious caring place for medical services or glasses. read more

I love Goleta Valley Optical. The staff is so professional and friendly, and they have an excellent selection of frames to pick from. I actually am writing this review because I had an issue with my glasses, which were over two years old. I wasn't sure if GVO would be able to help me, since it had been so long since I first purchased them and they honestly had every right to say that it was way out of the standard warranty and thus not their responsibility. However I was pleasantly surprised when I brought my beat up frames in and they fixed them right on the spot, no charge, which was such a tremendous relief for me! I wish I knew the name of the lady who was so helpful and saved the day for me, though I know she is one of the managers. Regardless, every person I've been helped by has been excellent and I can highly recommend GVO to anyone looking for an optical center. read more

always as professional as ever . I've been a client for over 20 years . I love the personal attention I receive . Wouldn't go anywhere else!

I've been long overdue for an eye exam and an update to my contacts prescription. I'm new to the area, so trying to find the right place to go felt a bit like a shot in the dark. From start to finish, my experience at Goleta Valley Optical was absolutely fantastic. Setting the appointment was a breeze, the office was extremely well-run, and my appointment began right on time. Dr. Bream was very personable, knowledgeable, and efficient. She recommended an update to my prescription and brand of contacts, and my new lenses feel amazing. Also, my insurance doesn't cover vision, so I worried about what I'd end up paying out of pocket. It was very reasonable for a basic eye exam. I walked out of the office with better vision and a smile on my face. read more

GVO, To start off with having an excellent Optical business so close to home is a blessing. I was greeted by Phil the manager who is a terrific professional person to have and to lead the daily team of employees that serve customers. I had some decisions and choices to make with my frames which Phil broke down in several categories. This easily leads me to the answer as what to do. I walk away feeling great Phil makes a sale and a happy customer once again. Steve P. read more

I drove around to various places and called some also... one nice man said to go to Goleta Optical ( also called GV Optical) in Magnolia Shopping Center off of Patterson and Hollister. He said they were the kindest people and if anyone could help with my 92-year-old mother's glasses, they could. AND THEY DID! When no one else would offer anything else than, "Have her come in and get a new script..." (92 year olds don't want to leave the room/house) the kind optometrist came up with a solution to repair her glasses. At no charge, either. So sweet, so kind... thank you again, GV Optical. read more

There aren't many quality optical stores in SB county. This one is "just OK"- nothing to write home about. The selection is decent, and sales people are friendly. read more

I have not had a good experience with Goleta Valley Optical. The glasses have never been right. I brought them back, stretched frame and they pretty much disregarded my complaint, they tightened them and they were still not right. I have insurance and these glasses cost me $200 above insurance, which has never happened to me before. The glasses still don't fit and they don't really seem to want to work with me. I believe the frames are defective. I will not go there again. read more

They are very friendly and helpful. Most normal lenses they have in stock are put into frames in under a day. I usually get fancy coatings on my lenses and that takes a few more days. They have a great selection of designer frames and they have discount frames too ($50 for two!) I have one pair of nice glasses from them for every day use and a set of emergency glasses in my car. They aren't pushy about making the sale but there is always someone in the front of the store to help you find what you want. read more

I know this sounds hyperbolic, but I hesitate to tell how nice they've been to me, because I wouldn't be so kind. So I went there after losing my glasses and needing a new set ASAP - they got me a (great) pair, and a free second pair, in a couple of hours. The spare pair broke, and they replaced that frame (with a more expensive one), no problem at all, again in a couple of hours. See what I'm getting at? It gets worse - the spare pair made me get headaches and seemed like the lenses were set slightly off - they checked it all, and since they could find no problems, they replaced the lenses, just as a precaution, for free. Seriously. So it isn't the sexiest place at all - you have to find fashionable frames among the somewhat stodgy and odd ones, but they have your back as almost no businesses do. I'll be returning as long as I live in Santa Barbara. read more

Great service. When my son needed glasses we chose goleta valley because it was a locally owned business and not a chain from out of town. They have a great selection of kids glasses and the staff really knows what they are talking about. read more

I needed some prescription sunglasses for doing activities outdoors that would protect my dry eyes from the elements. They had a nice "active" selection and I couldn't be more pleased. Originally my prescription seemed off and they took care of it within a few days so it was perfect. They are very professional and it is the best customer service I have had with glasses. I have a small head and it takes me a while and they were patient and was able to help me select a pair that was so good, 6 months later I got a second. One for in the car and one for home. It is more expensive then Costco or some other places but the quality is really worth it. I went to a very expensive place before in Montecito and the prescription wasn't right but I was stuck with it. It is a family run business with a husband and wife. Jackie and Dan. They want you leaving feeling not just satisfied but happy about your purchase. read more

I've been purchasing my families & my lenses and from G.V. Optical for a couple of years now. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. What I like most is how short the wait is to receive my new frames. read more

Fantastic service! I had a very positive experience with them. They treated me with kindness and professionalism, and were able to produce glasses on very short notice--in spite of the fact that it was late on the day before Thanksgiving and their store was filled with customers. The prices were reasonable, the frames were attractive, and they were sensitive and responsive to my situation. Dan, the owner, took care of me himself. They now have a customer for life. read more

Can not say enough about the quality of service here. Completely positive experience from Mr. Knauss! Congrats on creating a true culture of caring about your clientele! Highly recommend! read more

I've been coming here for years for a variety of services, and I've had nothing but great experiences. This is an old-school local establishment that takes care of its customers. When I had a problem with my lenses they fixed they them with no fuss. The other day I went in needing a fix on some very old Ray Bans they didn't sell me. They took care of it, promptly, and wouldn't charge me. I really can't say enough about Dan, Becky and Phil. I should note that I live nearly 50 miles away, and still go there whenever I need anything. read more

So I'm camping at refugio beach from 3 hours south of here and fell asleep in my contacts. Woke up to them dried and running down my eyes. Being the forgetful person that I am I forgot to pack my glasses just in case. Instead of driving 3 hours back home just for my pair of glasses. I looked this place up on and yelp and thought I'd give it a shot. I walked in and was instantly greeted by everyone and was told that theyd be with me in just a second, and they were. I told jonathon the problem i was having and that i needed an emergency pair of glasses just to get me through the rest of the week. Instead of him recommending the most expensive pair of glasses they sell,he told me about the deal that they were having for two pair of glasses for 49.88!!! Yes 49.88 for two pair of nice glasses. I was amazed! They only took a hour and a half for them to be finished. Not only was the customer service beyond great but they're very fast and very perfessional with what they do. If this place wasn't 3 hours away for me I would always use this spot for my glasses and contacts. Thank you so much guys and a special thanks to Jonathon for helping me out with everything. Keep it up -alliyah from chino hills read more

A big thank you to Sierra and this amazing business for their immediate assistance when I broke my glasses. They far exceeded my hopes and expectations and they did it with kindness, friendliness, and cheer. read more

Horrible Service. Been going to this location because they are only available new that take Medi Cal as the monopoly in Santa Barbara. Sadly 6 years time now their service over the phone much less in person from the older woman out of the two I've seen work there has declined greatly. Sad when a local store can't WTF their act together for the swinging door of customers they have. I called to get information about my insurance that they have billed long after I was 21 for eye glasses. The woman on the phone at the optical store rudely told me over and over I didn't have coverage. My insurance is special and knowing that I told her she was wrong. She's staining at the fact that I have had a free pair of glasses from them since 19 til now every two years for the last 6. Three times over I have been there and I told her don't tell people wrong info. She said I'm not going to argue about it. Ha. Then don't tell people wrong info at 11:30AM on Saturday like your store is full of packed people looking to distract you away from the lies your telling and not caring about for what ? It's the weekend. Do your job! It's dangerous to be in business and conduct your business with your foot in your mouth and no remorse when someone is telling you your wrong. Knowing your the only solution to hundreds of peoples vision in Santa Barbara of all places. Choice is yours. So sad seeing this occur time and time again. I've been in the store at least 10 times. I know bad business when I see it. I have a degree in it. Get your act together before public insurances had no where left to find a solution for people's livelihoods and sight! read more

Staff are mostly ok..... owner is a little creepy... Got 2 pairs of glasses there that should have had anti-glare coating on and I paid a lot of money for this (crysallis or something like that). The coating itself costs an additional $100 or so for each pair of glasses. (approx $200 total for the 2 pairs) I do not think they even put this anti-glare coating on my glasses because the glare was so incredibly bad, I had to pull off the road at night the few times I used them at night. The glare was absolutely the most intense I have ever experienced in over 20 years! I took the glasses in to see if they had forgotten to order the anti glare coating and they said -for sure the coating was there....on and on....I felt like they made me feel like a complainer or kvetch instead of working with me to fix the problem. I felt so uncomfortable there- that I did not go back after my 3rd attempt to fix this $400 "mistake" -for 2 pairs of glasses. $200 of which was the cost of the super-duper anti-glare reflective coating. I don't even think the coating was put on...but I cannot prove this. I do not have time to go in to complain and dropped it. Went to Costco....got their anti-reflective coating and it was like a miracle. Thank god for Costco and return policy. I did not want to go anywhere without a return policy after my Goleta Valley Optical experience. I use the glasses now for an emergency back up pair to be used in the daytime only. (Other pair of glasses I got from this store...another story....the lenses kept falling out of the frames. Great. At least I could pull off the road and plug these back in...A big pain in the neck... but not as dangerous as the anti glare problem) These were the worst 2 pairs of glasses I have ever owned and were dangerous to use on top of that. I must drive at night often and these glasses were absolutely dangerous due to the excessive glare. I tried to support thi local store since they were a local business....but they can forget it. It was way too dangerous and scary to dirve with that anti-glare coating that did not work. I am sorry they did not listen to me when I said how bad the glare was. Costco fixed the anti glare problem immediately. read more

Reasonable prices, but a nice selection of frames for a small store. Very good service. Easy to find parking. I have been going here for decades. Recommend it. read more

Very helpful. Very Nice. Great Prices - Two for $50.00. I will recommend you highly! Nice clean store in Magnolia Center,

I went in with my titanium rimless glasses and asked if they could frost the lens edges. They did it, but they also broke my frames. The only options they offered were to sell me a replacement rimless frame for the list price of $374, or to sell me some discount rimless frame for $200. Given that they botched the original job, I think I'll look elsewhere. They refunded the 'repair' cost ($25), but it's a net loss for me since now I have to find new frames. Not worth the trouble. read more

I brought in my 96-year-old father's glasses for repair. Not only did they fix them, but they also gave them a 5 minute cleaning. All at no charge. What great service! read more

I couldn't ask for better service. The owners and staff are very helpful, very friendly and knowledgeable. What makes GVO so unique is that everything is done in house, which is so rare these day; higher quality lenses. Great range of frames, with prices that are more than reasonable. The best part is that GVO takes pride in the products they sell, and I will not be going anywhere else for glasses. Thank you guys so much, I do love my new glasses! read more

thank you for the excellent service and fair price. i have never had to wait, and i have never felt intimidated, and that's a good thing when you're buying something very important for $$$. read more