To know Santa Barbara is to love it!

Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara has long been acknowledged to be none of California's most beautiful communities. While others have paved and built beyond recognition, this special city, 90 miles north of Los Angeles, has fought successfully to protect its many assets, including a stunning Riviera-like setting.

Santa Barbara is a "get-out-in-the-sunshine" and "fresh air place" with all the activities that implies. We have sunshine 84% of the year and a year around average temperature of 62 degrees. The average maximum is 72 degrees with an average minimum of 52 degrees. We usually escape nature's nastiness since for roughly 40 miles on either side of Santa Barbara, the Pacific coastline runs almost due East/West. This alignment helps to moderate the ocean currents that flow past our front door. The Santa Ynez Mountains, which are so incredibly close, shelter us from the inland heat and cold.

Neighborhoods- Check them out!

There are a host of activities available year-around:

Festivals - Old Spanish Days (August), Summer Solstice (June), Writer's Conference, Sunday Art and Crafts Festival (Palm Park) and numerous ethnic festivals (Greek, French, German, Thai, Chinese, Jewish)

Sports - Golf, tennis, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, etc., plus a summer sports festival (Semana Nautica)

Culture - Incredible variety and too numerous to list, but we do have our own symphony, chamber orchestra, several professional theater groups, an outstanding art museum and the resources of UCSB, SB City College, Music Academy of the West and Westmont College as well. Because of the support of patrons, ticket prices are low and many events are free. "You don't have to be rich to have a rich cultural life in Santa Barbara."

Museums - SB Museum of Art, Contemporary Arts Forum, Museum of Natural History, SB Zoological Gardens, Historical Society and the Carriage Museum.

Shopping - Paseo Nuevo and La Cumbre shopping centers, numerous boutiques, five farmer's markets for year-around fresh produce and flowers.

Restaurants - Some 400 ranging from the gourmet and exotic to fast food. The variety and quality are exceptional.

Obviously, as a long time resident, I have grown to love my community. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share it with you.

Area Demographics

Local Maps    

School Locations

Houses of Worship

A Beautiful Community- Visual Tour