Lush, sundrenched, 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 is located about 85 miles west northwest of Los Angeles, along the Pacific coast. This stretch of coast along southern Santa Barbara County is often referred to as the American Riviera because of its Mediterranean climate.

The Santa Ynez Mountains, an east west trending range, rise dramatically behind the city, with several peaks exceeding 4,000 feet. Covered with chaparral and with sandstone outcrops, they make a famously scenic backdrop to the town.

Nearer to town and directly east and adjacent to Mission Santa Barbara, is a hill known locally as the Riviera or Alameda Padre Serra or shortened to APS for the street that traverses it, which is built up with expensive homes. The city sustained heavy damage in an earthquake on June 29, 1925, which was followed by substantial rebuilding.

Much of the architecture in the city is Spanish Colonial in style, although much of it was actually constructed starting in the early 20th century in connection with the Mission or Spanish Revival movement. White buildings with terra cotta tile roofs are a trademark sight. The city has enacted strict ordinances to prevent erosion of this image, with some success. For example, there are no billboards anywhere in town, and none at all on the main freeway through town for almost twenty miles in both directions; in addition there is a strict sign ordinance for businesses, with no excessively large lettering allowed.

Even if you are in Santa Barbara for just a day there will be so much you can do shopping, dining, sightseeing and theatrical entertainment are just the beginning.

You can spend some time at one of Santa Barbaras world famous beaches, take a tour tasting wine made by on of the 56 distinguished wineries, or take in a performance by the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera. We are quite sure no matter what you choose you are sure to enjoy yourself.