Santa Barbara, CA

Thanks to its majestic view of the Santa Ynez Mountains and its prime location on the California coastline, the city of Santa Barbara has always been a popular spot both to vacation and to live. The city has a population of about 86,000.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city's neighborhoods include:

• Located close to the ocean, the Mesa neighborhood is a popular area for college students due to its proximity to Santa Barbara City College. The Mesa is also close to Santa Barbara's Shoreline Park and the Douglas Family Preserve.
• Named after its similarities to the slopes that line the coasts of France, the Riviera district is home to residents who seek high-priced homes accompanied by a breathtaking view of the city, surrounding mountains, and ocean.
• Once open farmland, the Westside is now populated by several urban developments, turning it into the most heavily populated area in Santa Barbara. This mostly flat neighborhood is perfect for easy walking or biking to the downtown area.
• Santa Barbara's downtown district is situated between upper and lower State Street, an area known for its theaters, galleries, shops, and fine restaurants.
• Loaded with history, the San Roque area is a developed suburb that has managed to maintain its historic architecture, which is evident in the Spanish Colonial, English Tudor, and French Normandy-style homes. Many people recognize San Roque as the ideal family neighborhood.
• Located just west of downtown, the Hope Ranch area is one of the wealthiest residential districts in the entire state of California.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

In recent years, Santa Barbara has enjoyed a rapidly growing economy, with job opportunities emerging in a range of business sectors, including agricultural, technology, and the service industry. Tourism is a particularly vital aspect of the local economy, accounting for a sizable percentage of the city's annual revenues.

GETTING AROUND

Santa Barbara is accessible via the following:

• Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
• Los Angeles Airport
• Amtrak
• U.S. Highway 101, which connects Santa Barbara with Los Angeles and San Francisco

BEST BETS

• Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens: Located on the corner of Santa Barbara and Arrellaga streets, this park is surrounded by well-manicured gardens and water life. Plant- and flower-lined walkways line this beautiful park.
• Old Mission Santa Barbara: Also known as "The Queen of the Missions," the mission is atop a hill about two miles from the harbor. The national historic landmark is a prime spot for sightseeing.
• Los Padres National Forest: Located just behind the Santa Ynez Mountains, this forest is home to several wilderness habitats.
• Santa Barbara Zoo: Visitors can feed birds and giraffes, hop on board the zoo train for a tour, and sneak a peak at wild animals of all sorts. The exhibits are always changing and have been known to include leopards, penguins, elephants, lemurs, and a wide range of insects.
• Stearns Wharf: One of the most visited tourist attractions, the wharf is ideal for watching marine life both in the wild and the aquarium. The Harbour Queen takes visitors for a whale-watching tour. Shops, wine tastings, and a restaurant are also available.

EVENTS

• Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show: This weekly seaside event, showcasing the work of local artists and craftspeople, originated more than 40 years ago
• Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Each year, this nonprofit event hosts a wide range of celebrities and other visitors, as it shows new, original movies from around the world. Held in late January, the event typically draws more than 50,000 attendees.
• Summer Solstice Parade: Local residents host the annual parade, which typically garners the attention of about 100,000 visitors. This event, which is held the first weekend of the summer solstice, also features parties and street entertainment.
• Old Spanish Days Fiesta, held every August, is a citywide celebration of Mexican, Spanish, and California food, dance, music and traditions.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Classical music lovers flock to Santa Barbara to take advantage of the city's symphony orchestra and numerous other classical performance groups. Other artists also play at Santa Barbara's various other performing arts venues, including:

• The Granada Theater: The tallest downtown building.
• Santa Barbara Bowl: An amphitheater used for outdoor concerts.
• Arlington Theatre: This 2,000-seat indoor performance venue is the largest in Santa Barbara.

EDUCATION

Colleges and universities in Santa Barbara include:

• The University of California-Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara City College
• Westmont College
• Brooks Institute of Photography
• Music Academy of the West
• Santa Barbara Business College

LOCAL MEDIA

• The Santa Barbara News-Press
• Santa Barbara Daily Sound