Whether approaching Santa Barbara by land, air, or sea, visitors are visually delighted both en route and upon arrival to this jewel of a destination. From the south, especially at dusk, if you wind up the coast from Los Angeles, relaxation sets in the minute you cross the county line, with the Pacific Ocean to the west, hugged by mountains at your shoulder as you travel the coastline. From the air, a bird’s-eye view reveals mega mansions, lush agricultural swaths, hillsides, and the sprawling University of California at Santa Barbara campus—at the very least. By train, from north or south, again the sparkling Pacific offers a welcoming aesthetic to this historic tourist town situated on a south-facing bay. Once you’ve landed in town, drive, walk, ride a bicycle, or take a trolley along Cabrillo Boulevard, the main artery that parallels the Pacific Ocean, or cruise the windy curves of the Riviera section of Santa Barbara, and you might think you are in the south of France or on the Italian Riviera. But we speak English (and a lot of Spanish) as well as surf lingo in this idyllic seaside town. Twelve hundred palm trees lining the oceanfront—all hand watered when they were first planted—are just part of the allure that converts visitors into permanent residents, if they can afford to live here.
Visit Santa Barbara, and no doubt you will see bronzed bodies spiking volleyballs and jogging along the shore, but also Spanish Revival architecture—bubbling fountains, cream-colored stucco, and red-tiled roofs—coloring the landscape. In fact, on the surface, Santa Barbara is alluringly seductive and glamorous. But read this book, get to know the town more intimately, and you will learn that Santa Barbara’s beauty is more than “skin deep.”
Despite all the images of glittering materialism and the high cost of living, Santa Barbara is actually quite unpretentious. Shunning the conspicuous consumption of big-city life, the town prefers instead to bask in its wealth of natural beauty. Few spots on earth are blessed with such a stunning mix of natural assets—broad, sunny beaches; rugged coastal peaks; golden valleys; and windswept islands. Cruise the sparkling waters, and you might spot seals, dolphins, and migrating whales. Hike the canyons, and you’ll feel as though civilization is a million miles away.
Beneath this wildly beautiful visage, Santa Barbara’s culture and history run deep. It may have the soul of a small beach town, but it exudes all the sophistication of a world-class city. Opera, theater, ballet, art galleries, museums, and gourmet restaurants abound, and Santa Barbara’s renowned educational resources attract students from around the world.
As culturally diverse and pristine as Santa Barbara is, Santa Barbarans love to party. No matter what time of year you visit, you’re sure to find something fun—whether it’s the Old Spanish Days celebration each August (“Fiesta” to the locals), the colorful floats of the eclectic Summer Solstice Parade, or the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
And then there’s us—the people who live here. Many traveled here for vacation and vowed to return—permanently. Others were lucky enough to be born here. We are artists and authors, students and professors, builders and gardeners, engineers and entrepreneurs. And yes, there are even celebrities and film folk among us. Though we come from diverse backgrounds, we all choose to live in Santa Barbara for the same reason—we simply cannot find the same quality of life anywhere else on the planet.
We especially love our nearly year-round Santa Barbara sunshine which allows us to stay outdoors. As you explore our little piece of paradise, we’ll be right beside you—hiking the wilderness trails, kayaking, cycling, surfing, fishing, and sailing. Don’t be surprised if we strike up a conversation or wave you ahead of us in traffic. If you’re visiting, use this book to find the best of Santa Barbara in the short term. If you’re moving here, congratulations. To ease your transition into Santa Barbara life, we’ve included detailed information on education and child care, newspaper and television options, health care, and retirement opportunities. Don’t let Santa Barbara’s high cost of living scare you away. Bargains abound, and we’ll show you where to find them.
For whatever reason you’ve turned to the Insiders’ Guide, we hope this book serves as a trusty companion. Take it with you on your adventures. As you flip the pages, you’ll get to know the real Santa Barbara including our quirks, fancies, pet peeves, and charms. We’re much more down-to-earth than you may have imagined. So relax, “kick back,” and enjoy the views!