ABOUT THE CITY
Lush, sun-drenched, relaxed and nestled seductively between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Santa Barbara is one of America’s best-kept secrets. From State Street and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Channel Islands and the wine country, Santa Barbara basks in sunshine, natural bounty, creativity, cultural sophistication and an appreciation for taking life at your own pace.
Santa Barbara County offers a culinary adventure for anyone who loves to wine and dine. American Riviera® cuisine showcases fresh, regional ingredients, including locally caught seafood and locally grown organic produce and wines – making. Or take your family to pick berries at a turn-of-the-century Solvang landmark.
Special annual highlights include Old Spanish Days, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Harbor & Seafood Festival, the Amgen Tour of California, and the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival. Santa Barbara is also home to a wide range of festivals and annual events, including art exhibits, theater performances, concerts, lectures, conferences, and other activities. When ever you have leisure time, you’ll find something exciting going on here.
About Santa Barbara- San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara is located geographically less than 100 miles from hyper-metropolitan Los Angeles but feels light years away from the noise and congestion of its huge neighbor to the south, which helps explain why the upper crust of Southern California have long favored the coastal retreat as both a getaway destination and the perfect place for a second (or sometimes first) home. With a temperate climate and lush natural environs, the “Riviera of the West” is perfect for a day trip, with its wide, perfect beaches, highly rated wineries, and a large variety of shopping and dining choices.
History
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara sits on land that for thousands of years was occupied by the Chumash tribe of Native Americans. The Chumash were hunter-gatherers and regularly navigated the ocean’s currents. The first European contact came in the 16th century, and the Chumash were taught to farm in the fertile soil. Agriculture still plays a large role in the area’s economy.
Mission Santa Barbara was founded on December 4th, 1786 by the Franciscans. Although the mission was secularized in 1846, it still remains in Franciscan control. It’s for this mission that the city and county were named.
Climate
| Month | Avg Hi | Avg Lo | Avg Precip |
| Jan | 65°F | 41°F | 3.57 in. |
| Feb | 66°F | 44°F | 4.28 in. |
| Mar | 67°F | 46°F | 3.51 in. |
| Apr | 70°F | 48°F | 0.63 in. |
| May | 71°F | 50°F | 0.23 in. |
| Jun | 74°F | 54°F | 0.05 in. |
| Jul | 77°F | 57°F | 0.03 in. |
| Aug | 79°F | 58°F | 0.11 in. |
| Sep | 78°F | 57°F | 0.42 in. |
| Oct | 75°F | 52°F | 0.52 in. |
| Nov | 71°F | 44°F | 1.32 in. |
| Dec | 66°F | 40°F | 2.26 in. |
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By Car
Santa Barbara is small enough to be perfect to walk or bike around downtown. The streets are set up like a grid, so navigating isn’t too hard, but traffic is slow going when people are walking around enjoying the shops. The 101 freeway is the main way in and out of town. It connects to Oxnard and Los Angeles to the southeast, and northwest to San Luis Obispo, San Jose, and San Francisco.
In San Luis Obispo, the 1 freeway heads straight to the coast, and the trip up to San Francisco that way is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. On the way, you’ll pass the Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
Voter Registration
It is important to note that if you are registering to vote for the first time, changing your name or political party, or have moved to a new county, you must also complete a Voter Registration form to update the SOS Elections Division database. Give your completed Voter Registration form to a technician, and DMV will mail it to the SOS Elections Division office for updating.
When applying for or renewing your driver license or identification card at any DMV office, you have the opportunity of registering to vote.
Even if you are not conducting business with DMV, you may pick up Voter Registration forms at any DMV office. Compete the form and mail it to the SOS Elections Division preprinted address on the form.
Public Transportation
The Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) provides local bus service across the city, and Greyhound bus stations are located downtown and in nearby Goleta. Electric shuttles operated by MTD ferry tourists and shoppers up and down lower State Street and to the wharf.
Santa Barbara MTD
550 Olive Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3364
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, with its focus on passenger service, provides a reliable, safe, comfortable means of mobility to those who lack other transportation, including students, the elderly and individuals with disabilities who have access to bus stops. MTD also provides an attractive transportation option for commuters and shoppers who may otherwise drive cars.
Air Transportation
Santa Barbara Airport
805-967-7111
500 Fowler Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Santa Barbara Airport is the busiest commercial service airport on the California coast between Los Angeles and San Jose. There are approximately 90 airline arrivals and departures each day aboard 5 major airlines. There is non-stop service to 10 international airports and one-stop service to over 300 destinations in the U.S. and worldwide.www.FlySBA.com
Directions:
Highway 101 from the south:
Take the UCSB/Airport exit at Hwy. 217 and exit at Sandspit Road, turn right at the stop sign and follow that road for half of a mile. The Airline Terminal will be on the left at the elbow in the road.
Local Phone Numbers
The area code for Santa Barbara is 805
| Emergency | 911 |
| Santa Barbara Police | |
| 215 East Figueroa Street | 805-897-2300 |
| Santa Barbara, CA 93101 | |
| Santa Barbara Fire Dept | 805-965-5254 |
| Animal Control | 805-963-1513 |
| City Hall | 805-963-0611 |
| Utilities | |
| Water: | |
| Santa Barbara City Water DistrictCity Hall, De La Guerra PlazaSanta Barbara, CA 93101 | 805-564-5343 |
| Montecito and Summerland Water District583 San Ysidro Rd.Santa Barbara CA 93108 | 805-969-2271 |
| Hope Ranch and La Cumbre Mutual Water District695 Via Tranquilla.Santa Barbara, CA 93110 | 805-967-2376 |
| Goleta Valley Water District4699 Hollister Ave.Santa Barbara, CA 93110 | 805-964-6761 |
| Carpinteria Valley Water District1301 Santa Ynez Ave.Carpinteria, CA 93103 | 805-684-2816 |
| Electricity: | |
| Southern California Edison | 800-655-4555 |
| Telephone: | |
| VerizonLoreto Plaza3311 State St. | 800-483-1000 |
| Trash Pick-up | |
| In Santa Barbara and Goleta | |
| BFI 800 Cacique St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 |
805-965-5248 |
| Montecito, Summerland, Hope Ranch Goleta, Isla Vista and Carpinteria | |
| Marborg Industries 136 N. Quarantina Santa Barbara, CA 93103 |
805-963-1852 |
| Carpinteria | |
| Harrison Industries 5275 Colt Ventura, CA 93004 |
800-418-7274 |
| Gas: | |
| Southern California Gas CO | 800-427-2200 |
| Cable Television: | |
| Cox Cable CO 3303 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 |
805-683-6651 |
| Cox Cable CO 22 S. Fairview Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 |
805-683-6651 |
| San Luis Obispo | |
| Police Department 1042 Walnut Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 |
805-781-7317 |
| Fire Department | 805-781-7380 |
| Utilities Department 879 Morro Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 |
805-781-7215 |
| Cable TV | |
| San Simeon Community Cable, Inc. P.O. Box 84 San Simeon, CA 93452-0084 |
805-927-5555 |
| Charter Communications Contact Information | 800-640-6959 |
| Trash Pickup | |
| San Luis Garbage | 805–543-0875 |
| Parks & Recreation Department 1341 Nipomo St. |
805-781-7300 |
Television
| Santa Barbara Stations | ||
| 3 | KEYT | ABC |
| 6 | KSBY | NBC |
| 12 | KCOY | CBS |
| 17 | K17EF | |
| 24 | KKFX | Fox |
| 29 | KTSB | Telefutura |
| 32 | KSBT | TV Azteca |
| 33 | KTAS | Telemundo |
| 38 | KPMR | Univision |
| San Luis Obispo Stations | ||
| 3 | KEYT | ABC |
| 6 | KSBY | NBC |
| 12 | KCOY | CBS |
| 17 | K17EF | |
| 24 | KKFX | Fox |
| 29 | KTSB | Telefutura |
| 32 | KSBT | TV Azteca |
| 33 | KTAS | Telemundo |
| 38 | KPMR | Univision |
Radio
| Santa Barbara AM Radio |
||
| 990 | KTMS | News/Talk |
| 1250 | KEYT | Regional Mexican |
| 1290 | KZSB | News |
| 1340 | KIST | Air America Talk (Progressive) |
| 1490 | KBKO | Radio Bronco Mexican |
| FM Radio | ||
| 88.7 | KQSC | NPR Public/Classical (USC) |
| 89.5 | KSBX| | NPR Public |
| 90.1 | KCBX | NPR Public |
| 91.5 | KUSC | NPR Public/Classical |
| 93.7 | KDB | Classical |
| 97.5 | KRUZ | Cruise 97.5 |
| 99.9 | KTYD | K-Tide Adult Rock |
| 101.7 | KSBL | K-Lite Soft |
| 103.3 | KVYB | The Vibe Urban |
| 105.9 | KRAZ | Krazy Country |
| 106.3 | KMGQ | Magic 106.3 Smooth Jazz |
| 107.7 | KIST | Modern Rock |
| San Luis Obisbo AM Radio |
||
| 890 | KLFF | InterActive Christian Talk – Religious |
| 920 | KVEC | NewsTalk 920 – News/Talk |
| 1030 | KJDJ | Religious-Español |
| 1230 | KPRL | Talk |
| 1280 | KXTK | ESPN Radio 1280 Sports |
| 1400 | KKJL | K-Jewel Standards |
| FM Radio | ||
| 88.5 | KLVH | K-Love Contemporary Christian |
| 89.3 | KLFF | K-Life Contemporary Christian |
| 90.1 | KCBX | NPR Public |
| 91.3 | KCPR | College/Active Rock (Cal Poly State Univ.) |
| 92.5 | KKAL | Classic Country |
| 93.3 | KZOZ | Classic Rock |
| 94.9 | KPYG | K-Pig Adult /Americana |
| 95.3 | KXTZ | The Beach Classic Hits |
| 96.1 | KSLY | Cat Country |
| 98.1 | KKJG | K-Jug Country |
| 100.5 | KXDZ | The Beach Classic Hits |
| 101.3 | KSTT | Coast 101.3 |
| 103.1 | KLUN | Radio Lazer Regional Mexican |
| 103.5 | KTEA | Standards |
| 104.5 | KIQO | Oldies 104 Oldies |
| 106.1 | KWWV | Wild 106.1 – Rhythmic |
| 107.3 | KURQ | The Rock Active Rock |
Newspapers
Santa Barbara’s daily newspaper is the Santa Barbara News-Press, which has a circulation of about 45,000. The paper was sold by the New York Times Company in 2000, and is now independently owned by Wendy McCaw, a local resident. The Pacific Coast Business Times is a weekly business journal covering Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties.
The Tribune is San Luis Obispo County’s main paper.
Santa Barbara News Press
Main Office
715 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-564-5200
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1359
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
www.newspress.com/
Pacific Business Times
14 E. Carrillo Street, Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 560-6950
www.pacbiztimes.com
The Tribune
3825 S. Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 781-7800
www.sanluisobispo.com
Santa Barbara Sights
Fiesta
Fiesta, celebrated every year in August. Fiesta, in Santa Barbara, is synonymous with food, music, and riotous parties, ranging from the annual Covarrubias Adobe Pre-Fiesta Tea, to the Fiesta Pequeña on the steps of the Mission. Fiesta is hosted by the Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Native Sons of the Golden West in a joint committee called the Fiesta Board. Fiesta was originally started as a tourist attraction, like the Rose Bowl, to draw business into the town in the 1920’s. 80 years later, it has become a several-day-long bash of Mexican food, Spanish dancing, and traffic tie ups all along State Street.
San Luis Obispo Sights
Hearst Castle in San Simeon
750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, CA 93452-9741
800-444-4445
The Hearst Castle in San Simeon is the sprawling mansion of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, who owned the San Francisco Chronicle in the early 20th Century. There are several different tours of the magnificent home daily; reservations should be made to guarantee a spot.
Santa Barbara Shopping
Sacramento Community Center Theater at the eastern end of the K Street mall highlights traveling Broadway song-and-dance extravaganzas with dozens of high-stepping dancers. The Sacramento Ballet, a few blocks east on K Street is dedicated to bringing classical and contemporary ballet to Sacramentans. The award winning California State University, Sacramento Department of Dance hosts diverse cutting-edge interpretations of contemporary dance works.
The Sacramento Ballet performs in the Community Center Theatre. The Deane Dance Center is the company’s official dance school. The Russian-American Music Academy of Roseville, CA regularly offers community productions of operas and operettas.
San Luis Obispo Shopping
Adobe Plaza
7343 El Camino Real
Atascadero
805-610-3139
Laguna Village Shopping Center
P.O. Box 3418
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
805-781-9100
Museums
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
136 E de la Guerra St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-966-1601
www.santabarbaramuseum.com
Offering one of the state’s best collections of regional history, this museum enjoys a downtown location along with a gracious courtyard and historical adobe buildings. Inside, fine art, western saddles, costumes, and antique toys highlight the collection, and both permanent and rotating exhibits showcase Santa Barbara’s past and present.
Beaches
Butterfly Beach
Channel Drive & Butterfly Lane
Montecito, CA
Butterfly Beach is the most west-facing beach in Santa Barbara. This makes it the best beach to watch a sunset, complete with incredible views of the city and the wharf.
East Beach
E. Cabrillo Blvd. & Milpas St.
Santa Barbara, CA
East Beach is often the first beach to be seen when entering Santa Barbara. Palm-shaded lawns and clean sand make this one of Santa Barbara’s most popular beaches. The beach is also world famous for volleyball, hosting several top-notch tournaments each year.
Outdoors
Hiking
From the Mesa to the Santa Ynez Mountains, the unique geography of Santa Barbara provides amazing opportunities to see panoramic views and abundant wildlife. Hiking guides and maps are easily obtained at any local bookstore.
Biking
Biking is big in Santa Barbara. For free maps of bike routes, safety tips, and explanations visit the Santa Barbara Car-Free website,www.santabarbaracarfree.org.
Boating
Tucked inside a protective breakwater, the beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor is home to boat rental operations, marine supply stores, and a boat launch ramp that can handle most types of vessels. Cachuma Lake in the North County is another popular spot for boating; rentals are available at the marina. If you have specific safety or regulatory questions, call Marine Weather (805-897-1942), Harbor Patrol (805-564-5530), or the United States Coast Guard (800-221-8724, 310-732-2043).
Golf
Public 9-Hole Courses
Hidden Oaks
4760 Calle Camarada
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
805-967-3493
www.hiddenoaksgolfsb.
Rated as the city’s best 9-Hole Golf courses, Hidden oaks has a variety of par 3 holes for the beginning and advanced golfer. $9-$14 green fees.net
Ocean Meadows
6925 Whittier Dr
Goleta, CA
805-968-6814
http://www.santabarbara.com/Activities/golf/oceanmeadows/
This course boasts regulation play, excellent prices, professional instruction and practice facilities. It is located near UC Santa Barbara. $16-$21 per round.
Wineries
The Oscar-winning film Sideways was set and filmed in Santa Barbara Wine Country and featured several local wineries and attractions. Today there are over 21,000 acres of vineyards in Santa Barbara County. At more than $118 million, wine grapes are the most valuable crop in the county. The wine industry contributes to the local economy in both the agricultural and tourism sectors. It provides jobs, sponsors cultural activities and creates scenic beauty.
Santa Barbara County is Wine Country for Southern Californians and a great discovery for any traveler. Many of the wineries have tasting rooms in which visitors are invited to learn about the various wines and offer tours to teach guests about the winemaking process. Some wineries host special dinners to demonstrate the pairing of wine with food and they hold events such as concerts, dramatic readings and art shows which are open to the public. Individual wineries make many contributions to the local community, through donations of product, personnel and monetary support.
Education
Public Schools
Santa Barbara School District
720 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-963-4338
http://www.sbsdk12.org/
Local children go to the Santa Barbara School District, which has a total enrollment of more than 17,000 students.
Higher Education
Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.
Area Employers
Below are potential employers in the area.
| Medtronic, Inc. 125 Cremona Dr Goleta, CA 93117 http://www.medtronic.com/ |
| Raytheon Company 6380 Hollister Ave Goleta, CA 93117 http://www.raytheon.com/ |