|
|
Once you visit Santa Barbara, located on the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountain coastline along US Hwy 101 on the Pacific Coast of California, north of Los Angeles, you will be convinced that this city has much to offer! The Santa Barbara area, known as the American Riviera, features architecture tying together Spanish and Mediterranean influences with Mexican and Californian distinctiveness. Boasting a pleasant Mediterranean climate, it is literally only 5 minutes from the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains and sits on the edge of the Pacific with some of the world's most beautiful beaches!
With many Spanish and Mission style homes in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria, and because new construction developments neither planned or underway in Santa Barbara, existing homes on bluff top lots, are highly sought after. However, the high demand in the area does not make it seem crowded at all. It is possible to own 5 acres of land and ride your own horses on the beach in Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan area maintains a rural atmosphere due to a stable population (less than 100,000 people in the Santa Barbara city limits, and only a few tens of thousands in surrounding areas such as Montecito and Carpinteria). Santa Barbara offers a five minute traffic free commute to Montecito, Summerland, and Hope Ranch, and ten minutes to Carpinteria and the local schools are excellent.
|
|
Santa Barbara Culture
|
Santa Barbara's population is diverse and a rich representation of it's history. Spanish and English are primarily spoken within the community. The Mexican, American and other cultures customs have blended together very closely in Santa Barbara, giving the city a unique flavor all its own.
Santa Barbara is home to many talented artists, musicians, performers and dancers. You can always find something beautiful or entertaining in the community of Santa Barbara.
|
|
Santa Barbara Education
|
Santa Barbara Elementary School District
- Adams Elementary School, K-6
- Cesar Estrada Chavez Dual Language Immersion Charter School, K-4
- Cleveland Elementary School, K-6
- Franklin Elementary School, K-6
- Harding Elementary School, K-6
- McKinley Elementary School, K-6
- Monroe Elementary School, K-6
- Open Alternative School, K-8
- Peabody Charter School, K-6
- Roosevelt Elementary School, K-6
- Santa Barbara Charter School, K-5
- Santa Barbara Community Academy, K-6
- Washington Elementary School, K-6
Santa Barbara High School District
- Dos Pueblos High School, 9-12
- Goleta Valley Junior High School, 7-8
- La Colina Junior High School, 7-8
- La Cuesta Continuation High School, 7-12
- Community Day School, 7-8
- Dos Pueblos Continuation High School, 9-12
- Las Alturas Continuation High School, 9-12
- San Marcos Continuation High School, 9-12
- La Cumbre Junior High School, 7-8
- San Marcos High School, 9-12
- Santa Barbara Charter Middle School, 6-8
- Santa Barbara Junior High School, 7-8
- Santa Barbara High School, 9-12
Community college districts
- Allan Hancock Joint Community College District
800 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6966 FAX - (805) 928-7905
Superintendent: Dr. Ann Foxworthy
Enrollment: 10,209
- Santa Barbara Community College District
721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 965-0581 FAX - (805) 963-7222
Superintendent: John B. Romo
Enrollment: 12,341
|
|
Santa Barbara History
|
A Portuguese explorer named Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered the Santa Barbara Channel in 1542, however the area got it's name when the Spanish explorer, Vizcaino, entered the channel on St. Barbara's Day, December 4, 1602.
The California mission, Santa Barbara, known as the "Queen of the Missions" for its great beauty, and founded in 1786 was used as a beacon for ships coming into the area because of it's prominent hillside location.
|
|
Santa Barbara Lifestyle
|
Santa Barbara offers plenty of places to visit such as the historic Mission Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art plus many popular attractions like the Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf. Popular Mediterranean village style shopping venues including Paso Nuevo complete with it's outdoor walking avenue lined by shops, cafes, and restaurants, and other homeowners and tourists alike a wide choice wonderful shopping experiences.
|
|
Santa Barbara Recreation
|
The subtropical climate, south-facing waters protected by the Channel Islands and typically do not have large surf to contend with make the pacific waters of Santa Barbara perfect for jet skiing, sea kayaking and scuba diving.
The oceanfront communities around Santa Barbara offer stretches of beach accessible to homeowners. This seaside city encourages an outdoor lifestyle. Golf, hiking, biking, horseback riding are just a few local favorite activities.
|
|
Santa Barbara Transportation
|
Located just 90 miles north of LA and 350 miles south of San Francisco, the city is but 18 square miles that lies on the Pacific Coast. The stretch of the I-101 freeway is the only interstate that gets you in and out of Santa Barbara, although there is the Santa Barbara Airport and a frequent rail service to assist in moving you in and out of the city as well.
|
|
Santa Barbara Weather
|
Santa Barbara's climate is mild Mediterranean. It's beautiful and inviting year-round here with average summer temperatures of 70 degrees F and winters in the mid 50s.
|
|