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Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara History

  The earliest inhabitants of modern-day Santa Barbara were the Chumash Indians, who controlled the region until Spanish explorers claimed the land in the 1700s.
   In 1602, Spanish cartographer Sebastian Vizcaíno mapped parts of the lower California coast, including modern-day Santa Barbara. Vizcaíno named the region after the saint he prayed to during his treacherous journey. In 1782, Felipe de Neve built a presidio in Santa Barbara. De Neve, who became the first governor of California, worked with Father Junípero Serra to bring the mission system to the Pacific coast. Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786 and became known as the "Queen of the Missions."
   Spain and Mexico ruled California until it became a state in 1850. At that point, Santa Barbara was just a small frontier town. It remained sparsely populated until the 1880s, when wealthy Easterners discovered its sunny, unspoiled beaches and charming Spanish architecture.
   Santa Barbara soon became a resort town, and its reputation grew after the movie business descended in the early 20th century. From 1910 to 1920, the American Film Company made hundreds of movies in Santa Barbara, most of them westerns. Although the entertainment industry eventually moved south to Los Angeles, dozens of celebrities built homes in Santa Barbara and neighboring Montecito, including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.
   Santa Barbara remains a popular hangout for the rich and famous. The city is known for its fine restaurants, art galleries and museums, and it was the setting for the glitzy NBC soap opera "Santa Barbara," which ran from 1984 to 1993. With its blue skies, golden beaches and red-tiled roofs, this "American Riviera" certainly lives up to its name.

Activities

   Mission Santa Barbara was founded on the Feast of Santa Barbara in 1786. The historic structure is among the best-preserved Spanish missions, and it's the only mission with two bell towers. The operating Catholic parish is open for public tours, and Mass is held each Sunday.
   El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is the site of El Cuartel, the oldest building in Santa Barbara. El Cuartel was part of the original presidio, which served as a Spanish military headquarters from 1782 to 1846. Several period buildings have been restored in the public park, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara.
   The Red Tile Walking Tour is a 12-block journey through historic downtown, featuring cobbled pathways, Spanish architecture and mission-style adobes. The downtown area is famed for its fine dining, unique shops and art galleries. It's also home to several museums, including the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
   Sea Center, located at Sterns Wharf, has displays of the region's bird and marine life, including life-size models of a California gray whale and her calf. Stearns Wharf, located at the foot of State Street, is filled with specialty shops, restaurants and a popular fishing pier.
   Besides its numerous beaches, Santa Barbara is also home to many parks that offer a variety of outdoor activities. Chase Palm Park has outdoor music pavilions, a carousel and a children's play area. Elings Park is a popular spot for hang-gliders, who take to the skies from the high cliffs above Arroyo Burro Beach. And the Mission Rose Garden offers more than 1,000 varieties of well-tended roses amid great views of the city and surrounding mountains.
   Each year, the city celebrates its heritage at the Old Spanish Days Fiesta. Other annual events include the Santa Barbara Whale Festival, the Santa Barbara International Jazz Festival and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Santa Barbara Fast Facts

   Location: Santa Barbara is located along the Pacific coast, about 28 miles north of Ventura and 95 miles north of Los Angeles
  *Total area: 41.41 square miles (18.98 square miles land area; 22.43 square miles water area)
  *Population: 92,325
  *Housing units: 37,076
   Average annual rainfall: 18.58 inches
   Average temperatures: 68ºF in summer, 55ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are 32 public schools in Santa Barbara, including charter schools, special education and dual-immersion learning centers.
   Colleges include University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara Business College and the Brooks Institute of Photography.

Beaches

   Santa Barbara's beaches are known for their golden sands and scenic Pacific views. There are several local beaches and a few state beaches within close driving range, including Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park to the north, and Carpinteria State Beach to the south.
   East Beach is the most popular beach in Santa Barbara. This long, sandy stretch between Stearns Wharf and Montecito has palm-shaded lawns and a lengthy bike path. Skateboarders flock to East Beach, which also hosts volleyball tournaments several times a year.
   West Beach, nestled between Stearns Wharf and the marina, is located beside Motel Row. Many tourists visit this beach, which is known for its calm water. Leadbetter Beach, just west of the marina, has a grassy picnic area and numerous barbecue pits. It's the ideal place for summer beach parties or laid-back get-togethers.
   Butterfly Beach is the most west-facing beach in Santa Barbara. It's also a popular hangout for the "in-crowd," who come to watch the sunset. The beach is located across from the Four Seasons Biltmore, an upscale resort in Montecito.
   Mesa Beach and More Mesa are two isolated beaches that are accessible during low tides. Due to its secluded location, More Mesa is often used as a nudist beach.
   Arroyo Burro, also known as Hendry's Beach, is secluded by towering cliffs. The beach is popular with surfers, joggers and dog-walkers. Because of its proximity to Elings Park, beachgoers often see hang-gliders and paragliders launching from nearby cliffs.

Maps of Santa Barbara

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