Santa Barbara

If you need to be convinced what Santa Barbara has to offer, you obviously haven't visited! Known as the American Riviera, the Santa Barbara area features architecture tying together Spanish and Mediterranean influences with its Mexican and Californian distinctiveness.

There are many Spanish- and Mission-style homes here in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria. And because there are no new developments either under construction or planned in Santa Barbara, these houses, including existing homes on bluff top property, are highly sought after. Even with the demand, however, the area does not feel crowded. Here it is possible to own 5 acres of land and ride your own horses on the beach.

There are less than 100,000 people in the Santa Barbara city limits, and surrounding areas such as Montecito and Carpinteria add only a few tens of thousands to that count, thus maintaining a rural feel to the Santa Barbara Metropolitan area. From Santa Barbara it is only five traffic-free minutes to Montecito, Summerland, and Hope Ranch, and ten minutes to Carpinteria.

Local schools are excellent, and the surrounding communities of Montecito, Carpinteria and Summerland are within minutes of downtown Santa Barbara. And, of course, there are the stretches of beach, which abound along the oceanfront communities around Santa Barbara.

The subtropical climate of this seaside city encourages an outdoor lifestyle, from biking to hiking, from riding horses to riding jet skis. Because of our south-facing waters, which are also protected by the Channel Islands, we typically do not have large surf to contend with, making our waters perfect for sea kayaking and scuba diving.

Santa Barbara offers plenty of local activities and places to visit, from historical buildings such as Mission Santa Barbara, to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, to popular Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Zoo. Popular shopping venues include Paseo Nuevo, which features an outdoor, Mediterranean-like walking avenue lined by shops, cafes, and restaurants.

For more information on Santa Barbara, visit www.santabarbaraca.com, www.santabarbara.com, www.santabarbaraca.gov,and www.sbcountywines.com .

Montecito

Montecito, located only minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, has long been known as a verdant retreat. It features a rural, residential atmosphere and is colored by many gardens throughout the area. Its green hills are home to luxurious, expansive homes and estates. These homes typically feature mission-styles built with stucco, verandas, and patios that all draw one's attention to the breathtaking outdoors, so integral to the Southern Californian lifestyle. The temperate climate encourages a whole host of popular outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, riding horses and sea kayaking.

Since the late 1800's, people have come here for the sheer beauty of the land. In Spanish, Monecito means "little mountain," and it is this community's setting on hills overlooking the ocean that contributes to its character. Montecito Inn, built by Charlie Chaplin, once catered to a Hollywood crowd towards the beginning of the century. Today, Montecito is still home to many artists, writers, and screen and song writers. The Montecito area also features a number of high-tech industries, including computer and electronic companies.

For those with young children, the Montecito Union and Cold Spring Schools have classes for levels K-6. There is also an independent, four-year college preperatory boarding school nearby.

Santa Ynez Valley

Located in northern Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Valley is just 35 miles from the beaches of Santa Barbara, 125 miles up the coast from Los Angeles and 300 miles south of San Francisco. The region is easily accessible via vehicles on U.S. Highway 101 and State Highways 154 & 246. For car free travel, Amtrak trains feature connecting bus service to Solvang (www.amtrak.com); and private aircraft land at Santa Ynez Airport (IZA).

Tour and taste acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and other varietals at over 70 world-class wineries and tasting rooms. Golf, hike, bike, fish, see wildlife, tour a horse ranch, take a horseback ride or soar over it all in a glider. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a vineyard or waterside at Lake Cachuma. Savor delicious meals within every budget from gourmet wine country cuisine to Danish, international and classic American favorites.

Learn about Santa Ynez Valley history at museums and 1804 Mission Santa Ines. Satisfy every shopping desire in art galleries, clothing boutiques, gift and antique stores. Experience 24/7 gaming, world-class concerts and entertainment at the Chumash Casino. Rejuvenate at a day spa. Relax in a cozy inn, lodge, luxury resort or full-service hotel. Do some country-western two stepping. Take in a concert or see PCPA Theatrefest's summer performances under the stars. The Valley supports a vibrant cultural calendar. Anytime is the perfect time to discover and visit the Santa Ynez Valley.

For more information on the Santa Ynez Valley, visit www.syvva.com, www.buellton.org and www.sbcountywines.com

Hope Ranch

Hope Ranch is only a 5-minute drive west of Santa Barbara. It features an upscale residential area and is known for the luxurious properties and estates set on its oak-covered hills. The pleasant Mediterranean climate and private local beaches make local residences feel like vacation getaways.

Its history goes back 6,000 - 10,000 years, when archaeological evidence points to the first Native Americans in the area. It wasn't until the late 1700's that white settlers came to the area, which soon became part of the Mission Lands. It was Thomas Hope, who arrived in the mid-1800's as a Government Agent to facilitate relations with the Native Americans, from whom the area received its name.

Today, Hope Ranch is comprised of approximately 686 residences on more than 1,800 acres. From its bluff-top drives you'll be treated to stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. In town, you'll see palm trees lining Las Palmas Drive, planted around the turn-of-the-century. And around town, you'll find a polo field and soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts.

For horseback riders, there are over 20 miles of riding trails, which connect to the beach. In the summer, riders can also use the beach from the park toward Goleta. In winter, you can use the entire beach. Because of the local interest in horsemanship here, there is a strong Riding Trails Association in the Hope Ranch area. Located nearby are the Earl Warren Showgrounds, known around the region as one of the finest arenas for showing horses.

Other community associations and amenities include the Hope Ranch Patrol, the Hope Ranch Garden Club, the Hope Ranch Park Homeowners Association, and, of course, the ever-popular private and public schools. The private La Cumbre Golf and Country Club features the beautiful, landscaped Laguna Blanca lagoon.

Summerland

Summerland's story began in 1883 when Henry Williams bought the 1,050 acre Ortega Ranch. Williams was not a wealthy man. He had sold out his holdings in the east and paid $17,000 for the Ranch.

In 1887 the Southern Pacific Railroad was laying track northward along the coast and would soon cross his Ranch. He entered into an agreement with two San Francisco investors to set aside 100 acres for a town adjacent to the tracks. In 1888 Williams decided to create his own town and make it a religious colony. Since he expected that most would come here only for camp meetings, the lots were small (25 X 60 feet), suitable for tents, and sold for $24 each. In 1889 the town was dedicated and named Summerland. Summerland did seem to be "almost heaven".

In 1894 a new boom began. Smith Cole dug a water well on his Lillie Ave. property and struck oil instead. Early in 1895 there were 15 producing wells. More lots were sold, and a soap factory and cigar factory were established.

After 1900 the field's production began to diminish and winter storms took their toll on the rigs. The new breakwater at Santa Barbara changed the tides south of the harbor, bringing destruction to what was left of the oil field.

Today Summerland is a thriving beach community with 1,545 residents living in 785 homes, condos, or apartments. The population's median age is 41.7. Summerland is known up and down California for its wonderful weather, friendly residents, good restaurants, outstanding beach, and wonderful antique stores. On low tide you can actually walk along the beach to the Biltmore for high tea, check the tide before trying to walk back.

Visiting Summerland? Inn on Summer Hill offers New England style hospitality amidst antiques, original art, and a collection of unique furnishings usually reserved for elegant country estates. Each mini-suite has breathtaking vistas of the ocean.

Carpinteria

The beaches and mountain views of beautiful seaside Carpinteria are located just 12 miles east of Santa Barbara on the renowned Highway 101. Along its tree-lined streets are a variety of attractive antique stores and specialty shops, as well as sumptuous restaurants. And, of course, there is the oceanfront, which all but makes this town the breathtaking place that it is.

Carpinteria State Beach, a 48-acre park featuring 4,000 feet of beachfront provides for a number of outdoor activities, from swimming and surf-fishing to overnight camping. Beachwalking is popular on this incredible stretch, where the average daily temperature is in the 60's to 80's. Or take in a polo match in the area every Sunday from April through October.

The Carpinteria Unified School District is well-known for its excellent schools. The district supports four elementary schools, one junior high school, and one high school. Within the area there is also an independent, four-year college preperatory boarding school.

With its sunny, south-facing location and fertile environment, the city could be considered the Flower Growing Capital of the World. Aside from succulents and cacti, dozens of varieties of flowers are grown here in the Carpinteria Valley. For a sample of what the local land has to offer--flowers, as well as fruit and vegetables--visit the weekly Farmers Market.

Schools

There are 23 K-12 school districts and two community college districts in Santa Barbara County. Individual schools are listed on the public schools and private schools pages.

School Scores

Click Here for current Santa Barbara Academic Performance Index (API) Report

Alphabetical listing of school districts

Elementary - Secondary - Unified - Community College

1. Ballard School District
   2425 School Street, Solvang, CA 93463
   (805) 688-4812 FAX - (805) 688-7325
   Superintendent: Allan Pelletier
   Enrollment: 115
2. Blochman Union School District
   4949 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454
   (805) 937-1148 FAX - (805) 937-2291
   Superintendent: Dr. Chris Whitmore
   Enrollment: 90
3. Buellton Union School District
   595 Second Street, Buellton, CA 93427
   (805) 686-2767 FAX - (805) 686-2719
   Superintendent: Tom Cooper
   Enrollment: 680
4. Carpinteria Unified School District
   1400 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013
   (805) 684-4511 FAX - (805) 684-0218
   Superintendent: Paul A. Cordeiro
   Enrollment: 2,800
5. Cold Spring School District
   2243 Sycamore Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
   (805) 969-2678 FAX - (805) 969-0787
   Superintendent: Bryan McCabe, Ph.D.
   Enrollment: 200
6. College School District
   3525 Pine, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
   (805) 686-7300 FAX - (805) 686-7305
   Superintendent: James D. Brown
   Enrollment: 425
7. Cuyama Joint Unified School District
   PO Box 271, New Cuyama, CA 93254
   2300 Highway 166, Cuyama, CA 93254
   (661) 766-2482 FAX - (661) 766-2255
   Superintendent: Jan Hensley
   Enrollment: 321
8. Goleta Union School District
   401 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
   (805) 681-1200 FAX - (805) 692-0857
   Superintendent: Dr. Kathleen Boomer
   Enrollment: 3,600
9. Guadalupe Union School District
   4465 Ninth Street, PO Box 788, Guadalupe, CA 93434-0788
   (805) 343-2114 FAX - (805) 343-6155
   Superintendent: Hugo E. Lara
   Enrollment: 1,120
10. Hope School District
    3970 La Colina Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
    (805) 682-2564 FAX - (805) 687-7954
    Superintendent: Gerrie Fausett
    Enrollment: 1,200
11. Lompoc Unified School District
    1301 North A Street,
    PO Box 8000, Lompoc, CA 93438-8000
    (805) 742-3300 FAX - (805) 735-8452
    Superintendent: Dr. Francis J. Lynch
    Enrollment: 10,525
12. Los Alamos School District
    480 Centennial Street
    PO Box 318, Los Alamos, CA 93440
    (805) 344-2401 FAX-(805) 344-2321
    Superintendent: Paul Oisboid
    Enrollment: 240
13. Los Olivos School District
    2540 Alamo Pintado Avenue
    PO Box 208, Los Olivos, CA 93441-0208
    (805) 688-4025 FAX - (805) 688-4885
    Superintendent: Anjanette Winckler
    Enrollment: 680
14. Montecito Union School District
    385 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
    (805) 969-3249 FAX - (805) 969-9714
    Superintendent: Richard R. Douglas
    Enrollment: 535
15. Orcutt Union School District
    500 Dyer Street,
    PO Box 2310, Orcutt, CA 93457-2310
    (805) 938-8900 FAX - (805) 938-8919
    Superintendent: Sharon McHolland
    Enrollment: 4,740
16. Santa Barbara Elementary School District (K-6)
    720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    (805) 963-4331 FAX - (805) 963-5685
    Superintendent: Dr. J. Brian Sarvis
    Enrollment: 6,024
17. Santa Barbara High School District (7-12)
    720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    (805) 963-4331 FAX - (805) 963-5685
    Superintendent: Dr. J. Brian Sarvis
    Enrollment: 10,598
18. Santa Maria-Bonita School District
    708 South Miller Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
    (805) 928-1783 FAX - (805) 928-6451
    Superintendent: David M. Francis
    Enrollment: 12,933
19. Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
    2560 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455
    (805) 922-4573 FAX - (805) 928-9916
    Superintendent: Dr. Jeffrey N. Hearn
    Enrollment: 7,114
20. Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District
    2975 East Highway 246,
    PO Box 398, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
    (805) 688-6487 FAX - (805) 686-4454
    Superintendent: Dr. Fred Van Leuven
    Enrollment: 1,200
21. Solvang School District
    565 Atterdag Road, Solvang, CA 93463
    (805) 688-4810 FAX - (805) 688-6410
    Interim Superintendent: Dr. Chris Whitmore
    Enrollment: 575
22. Vista del Mar Union School District
    9467 San Julian Road, Gaviota, CA 93117
    (805) 686-1880 FAX - (805) 686-8536
    Superintendent: Gregory Pruitt
    Enrollment: 114

Elementary school districts

1. Ballard School District
   2425 School Street, Solvang, CA 93463
   (805) 688-4812 FAX - (805) 688-7325
   Superintendent: Allan Pelletier
   Enrollment: 115
2. Blochman Union School District
   4949 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454
   (805) 937-1148 FAX - (805) 937-2291
   Superintendent: Dr. Chris Whitmore
   Enrollment: 90
3. Buellton Union School District
   595 Second Street, Buellton, CA 93427
   (805) 686-2767 FAX - (805) 686-2719
   Superintendent: Tom Cooper
   Enrollment: 680
4. Casmalia School District
   PO Box 119, 3491 Point Sal Road, Casmalia, CA 93429-0119
   (805) 937-6515 FAX - (805) 937-9108
   Superintendent: Chae Meadows
   Enrollment: 14
5. Cold Spring School District
   2243 Sycamore Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
   (805) 969-2678 FAX - (805) 969-0787
   Superintendent: Bryan McCabe, Ph.D.
   Enrollment: 200
6. College School District
   3525 Pine, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
   (805) 686-7300 FAX - (805) 686-7305
   Superintendent: James D. Brown
   Enrollment: 425
7. Goleta Union School District
   401 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
   (805) 681-1200 FAX - (805) 692-0857
   Superintendent: Dr. Kathleen Boomer
   Enrollment: 3,600
8. Guadalupe Union School District
   4465 Ninth Street, PO Box 788, Guadalupe, CA 93434-0788
   (805) 343-2114 FAX - (805) 343-6155
   Superintendent: Hugo E. Lara
   Enrollment: 1,120
9. Hope School District
   3970 La Colina Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
   (805) 682-2564 FAX - (805) 687-7954
   Superintendent: Gerrie Fausett
   Enrollment: 1,200
10. Los Alamos School District
    480 Centennial Street
    PO Box 318, Los Alamos, CA 93440
    (805) 344-2401 FAX-(805) 344-2321
    Superintendent: Paul Oisboid
    Enrollment: 240
11. Los Olivos School District
    2540 Alamo Pintado Avenue
    PO Box 208, Los Olivos, CA 93441-0208
    (805) 688-4025 FAX - (805) 688-4885
    Superintendent: Anjanette Winckler
    Enrollment: 680
12. Montecito Union School District
    385 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
    (805) 969-3249 FAX - (805) 969-9714
    Superintendent: Richard R. Douglas
    Enrollment: 535
13. Orcutt Union School District
    500 Dyer Street,
    PO Box 2310, Orcutt, CA 93457-2310
    (805) 938-8900 FAX - (805) 938-8919
    Superintendent: Sharon McHolland
    Enrollment: 4,740
14. Santa Barbara Elementary School District (K-6)
    720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    (805) 963-4331 FAX - (805) 963-5685
    Superintendent: Dr. J. Brian Sarvis
    Enrollment: 6,024
15. Santa Maria-Bonita School District
    708 South Miller Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
    (805) 928-1783 FAX - (805) 928-6451
    Superintendent: David M. Francis
    Enrollment: 12,933
16. Solvang School District
    565 Atterdag Road, Solvang, CA 93463
    (805) 688-4810 FAX - (805) 688-6410
    Interim Superintendent: Dr. Chris Whitmore
    Enrollment: 575
17. Vista del Mar Union School District
    9467 San Julian Road, Gaviota, CA 93117
    (805) 686-1880 FAX - (805) 686-8536
    Superintendent: Gregory Pruitt
    Enrollment: 114

Secondary school districts

1. Santa Barbara High School District (7-12)
   720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
   (805) 963-4331 FAX - (805) 963-5685
   Superintendent: Dr. J. Brian Sarvis
   Enrollment: 10,598
2. Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
   2560 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455
   (805) 922-4573 FAX - (805) 928-9916
   Superintendent: Dr. Jeffrey N. Hearn
   Enrollment: 7,114
3. Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District
   2975 East Highway 246,
   PO Box 398, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
   (805) 688-6487 FAX - (805) 686-4454
   Superintendent: Dr. Fred Van Leuven
   Enrollment: 1,200

Unified school districts

1. Carpinteria Unified School District
   1400 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013
   (805) 684-4511 FAX - (805) 684-0218
   Superintendent: Paul A. Cordeiro
   Enrollment: 2,900
2. Cuyama Joint Unified School District
   PO Box 271, New Cuyama, CA 93254
   2300 Highway 166, Cuyama, CA 93254
   (661) 766-2482 FAX - (661) 766-2255
   Superintendent: Jan Hensley
   Enrollment: 321
3. Lompoc Unified School District
   1301 North A Street,
   PO Box 8000, Lompoc, CA 93438-8000
   (805) 742-3300 FAX - (805) 735-8452
   Superintendent: Dr. Francis J. Lynch
   Enrollment: 10,525

Community college districts

1. Allan Hancock Joint Community College District
   800 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454
   (805) 922-6966 FAX - (805) 347-9896
   Superintendent: José M. Ortiz
   Enrollment: 10,166
2. Santa Barbara Community College District
   721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
   (805) 965-0581 FAX - (805) 963-7222
   Superintendent: John B. Romo
   Enrollment: 18,206