Lost something at UCSB or around Santa Barbara? Get it back with one report.
File one report and we notify UCSB Police Lost & Found, Santa Barbara Police, Santa Barbara MTD, and local community channels. Your report stays active, continuously matching against new found items and local posts.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost works at UCSB and Santa Barbara
You describe your lost item
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We capture the details that matter: color, brand, distinguishing marks, the exact location on campus or in the city. One form, one moment.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to UCSB Police Lost & Found, Santa Barbara Police, transit lost & found, and active local Facebook groups and subreddits. No runaround. We handle the legwork so you don't have to call each office separately.
Your report keeps searching for you
Throughout your search period, your report compares your item's description against new found items, community posts, and local marketplace listings. You get an alert the moment a credible match appears. No daily checking required.
Where your lost item might be
Each of these channels handles lost items separately. ReportLost alerts them all at once.
UCSB Police Lost & Found
Items lost on campus go to the Lost and Found Office in North Hall Room 1131. They're open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We tell you exactly what information to include in your report and ensure the right desk has your details.
Santa Barbara Police Department
Lost items in the city and off-campus areas are logged with SBPD. Their lost & found desk processes reports and holds items during a set retention period. We generate the exact information they need and route your report to the right department.
Santa Barbara MTD Bus System
Left something on a bus? Santa Barbara MTD's lost & found is open weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We notify their transit center and provide your contact information so they can reach you if your item turns up.
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
If you lost something at the terminal, baggage claim, or security checkpoint, report it to Airport Security Operations. Items are processed through their lost & found and held according to TSA guidelines. We ensure your report reaches the right office.
UCSB Library
The UCSB Library maintains a lost & found at the Services Desk on the first floor of the Paseo. Items turned in are held for a limited time before disposal. We ensure your report is logged there if your item was left in or near the library.
Lost pets need immediate action
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet, time is critical. Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, Santa Barbara Humane, and local community networks activate quickly. We connect you with all the right shelters and help you post across pet rescue networks. File a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Why wait to start your search?
The sooner your report reaches UCSB Police, Santa Barbara Police, MTD, and local community channels, the better your chances of reunion. Once you've reported, your item is in the system and your report keeps working for you automatically.
Report my lost item →Losing a wallet, ring, phone, or bag at UCSB, Isla Vista, or anywhere in Santa Barbara means juggling calls to campus police, city police, the bus system, and scanning Facebook groups every day. Each office holds items for different lengths of time, and if you miss the window, your belongings are gone. The scattered nature of lost & found systems across campus and the city makes reunion slow and stressful.
ReportLost simplifies the entire process. One report reaches all the right places at once and stays active throughout your search period, automatically looking for matches so you can focus on other things. We handle the coordination, the follow-ups, and the continuous monitoring, turning a fragmented search into a single, persistent effort to bring your item home.
Places where people lose things at UCSB and Santa Barbara
Your report helps regardless of where you lost your item. These are common locations where ReportLost directs your report.
UCSB Campus & Isla Vista
Libraries, dormitories, the Dining Commons, the Recreation Center, and classrooms see thousands of lost items each year. Campus police processes reports directly, and your report reaches them immediately.
Downtown Santa Barbara
State Street and surrounding blocks, shops, restaurants, and the Paseo Nuevo mall are bustling hubs where wallets, phones, and bags are frequently left behind. City police manages lost & found for downtown areas.
Santa Barbara Waterfront & Harbor
Stearns Wharf, the harbor area, and beach access points are high-traffic zones. The Harbor Patrol and city police coordinate lost & found for the waterfront district.
Santa Barbara MTD Bus Routes
Items left on buses or at transit stops can be recovered through MTD's system. We ensure your report is logged with the transit center and cross-checked against their daily recovered items.
Community channels where found items get posted
Your report is shared with active local groups where people announce found items. The more places that have your description, the better your odds.
A subreddit for UCSB students and the Isla Vista community, where found items and lost notices are posted.
The Santa Barbara subreddit, covering lost & found for the wider city and county.
A Facebook community dedicated to reuniting lost and found pets across Santa Barbara County.
Another active Facebook group for missing and found animals.
The official SBPD page, where community alerts and lost item notices are sometimes shared.
Frequently asked questions about lost & found at UCSB and Santa Barbara
How long do UCSB Police and Santa Barbara Police hold lost items?
UCSB Police's Lost and Found office retains items for a set period before disposal. Santa Barbara Police follows similar retention windows. ReportLost ensures your report is filed immediately to maximize your window of recovery. Check directly with each office for their current policies, as they can vary.
When is the UCSB Police Lost & Found office open?
The office in North Hall Room 1131 is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can call (805) 893-3843 or email lost.found@police.ucsb.edu outside these hours to inquire about your item.
How do I check if my item was turned in to Santa Barbara MTD?
Call the MTD Transit Center at (805) 963-3366. They're open weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ReportLost contacts them on your behalf and provides them with your information so they can reach you if your item appears.
What if I lost something at Santa Barbara Airport?
Contact Airport Security Operations at (805) 681-4803. They manage the airport lost & found for items in the terminal, at baggage claim, and at security checkpoints. ReportLost alerts them and ensures your description is in their system.
I lost my pet. What's the first step?
Call the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter at (805) 681-5285 and Santa Barbara Humane at (805) 964-4777 immediately. Bring a photo and your pet's description to both shelters in person. ReportLost helps you post across pet rescue networks and keeps your missing pet report active across all relevant channels.
Is ReportLost.org official or affiliated with UCSB Police, Santa Barbara Police, or the city?
ReportLost.org is an independent service that partners with and notifies official police departments, transit systems, animal shelters, and community channels. We are not a government agency, but we work on your behalf to route your report to the official offices that hold and process lost items. We do not replace contacting these agencies directly if you prefer to do so, but we handle the coordination and follow-up for you.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today
The sooner you file your report, the sooner UCSB Police, Santa Barbara Police, MTD, and local community groups begin working to put your report in front of the right offices. Your report stays active and keeps searching for the entire duration of your recovery period.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent lost & found coordination service. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by UCSB Police, the University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, or the City of Santa Barbara. All referenced organizations, phone numbers, and websites are provided as public resources. ReportLost does not replace direct contact with these official agencies.