- Alternative meaning: Santa Barbara (soap opera)
Santa Barbara is a city in California, United States. It is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 92,325. The metropolitan area, which includes the adjacent cities of Goleta, Carpinteria, as well as the unincorporated communities of Montecito, Summerland, Isla Vista, Hope Ranch, and other adjacent areas, has a population of approximately 200,000.
Geography
Santa Barbara is located at 34°25'33" North, 119°42'51" West (34.425804, -119.714189)GR1. The city is about 85 miles 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 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," 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 in style, in keeping with the Spanish heritage of the city: white buildings with 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 leading out of town for almost twenty miles; in addition there is a strict sign ordinance for businesses, with no excessively large lettering allowed.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 107.3 km² (41.4 mi²). 49.2 km² (19.0 mi²) of it is land and 58.1 km² (22.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 54.17% water; this is because the official city limit extends exactly four miles south into the ocean, and in addition a long "finger" of the city extends out to sea and again inland, in order to make Santa Barbara Airport and the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) contiguous with the city.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 92,325 people, 35,605 households, and 18,941 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,878.1/km² (4,865.3/mi²). There were 37,076 housing units at an average density of 754.2/km² (1,953.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.04% White, 1.77% African American, 1.07% Native American, 2.77% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 16.37% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 35.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Satellite image of Santa Barbara, centered on the airport; the city is located at the extreme right
There were 35,605 households out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.8% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,498, and the median income for a family was $57,880. Males had a median income of $37,116 versus $31,911 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,466. 13.4% of the population and 7.7% of families were below the poverty line. 16.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. If one compares the per capita income to the actual cost of living, the number of people living below the poverty line is considerably higher. In 2002, the cost of buying a 2200 ft² (200 m²), 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house could easily reach $2,000,000. Rents for a 1100 ft² (100 m²), 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment were in the $2000-$2200 per month range. In June 2004, the median home price passed $1,000,000 for the first time. Santa Barbara also has traditionally (since the 1930s) had a large homeless population, due in part to the mild climate.
Santa Barbara, looking towards the harbor from the top of the County Courthouse, showing the distinctive red-tiled roofs
Government
The city's representative is Lois Capps (D). The state assemblyman is Pedro Nava (D). The state senator is Tom McClintock (R).
- City Council members
- Brian B. Barnwell
- Iya G. Falcone
- Roger L. Horton
- Helene Schneider
- Grant House
- Das Williams
Culture
Media
Santa Barbara's daily newspaper is the Santa Barbara News-Press, which has a circulation of about 45,000. The paper was sold by the New York Times Company in 2000, and is now independently owned by Wendy McCaw, a local resident and outspoken environmentalist. Other local media include the Pacific Coast Business Times [1], a weekly business journal covering Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties, Santa Barbara Independent, an arts and entertainment newsweekly, and KEYT 3, an ABC television affiliate.Also KPMR-Univision 38
Museums
Santa Barbara is home to a vibrant artistic community, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is home to a significant permanent collection. Other art venues include the University Art Museum on the UC Santa Barbara Campus, various private galleries, and a wide variety of art and photography shows. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is located immediately behind the Santa Barbara Mission in a complex of charming, mission-style buildings set in a delightful park-like campus. The Museum offers outstanding indoor and outdoor exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium.
Parks
Santa Barbara has many parks, ranging from small spaces within the urban environment to large, semi-wilderness areas which remain within the city limits. Some notable parks within the city limits are as follows:
Some notable parks and open spaces just outside of the city limits include:
Performing Arts
Santa Barbara boasts numerous performing art venues, including the Arlington Theater, the largest performance venue in Santa Barbara; the Lobero Theatre, a historic building and favorite venue for small concerts; the Granada Theater, originally built as a movie theater in the 1930s and now the tallest building downtown; and the Santa Barbara Bowl, a concert space nestled in the foothills.
The city is considered a haven for classical music lovers with a symphony orchestra and many non-profit classical music groups (such as CAMA). The Music Academy of the West, located in Montecito, hosts an annual music festival in the summer, drawing renowned students and professionals.
Tourist Attractions
Santa Barbara is a year round tourist destination renowned for its warm weather, downtown beaches, and Spanish architecture. In addition to the city's cultural assets, several iconic destinations lay within the city's limits. Mission Santa Barbara, "The Queen of the Missions," is located in Santa Barbara. It was founded on December 4, 1786 on a rise about two miles inland from the harbor, and is maintained as an active place of worship, sightseeing stop, and national historic landmark. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a red tiled Spanish-Moorish structure, provides a sweeping view of the downtown area from its open air tower. The Presidio, a Spanish military installation built in 1782, was central to the town's early development and remains an icon of the city's colonial roots.
Also famous is the annual Fiesta, celebrated every year in August. Fiesta, in Santa Barbara, is synonymous with food, music, and riotous parties, ranging from the annual Covarrubias Adobe Pre-Fiesta Tea, to the Fiesta Pequeña on the steps of the Mission.
Fiesta is hosted by the Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Native Sons of the Golden West in a joint committee called the Fiesta Board.
Fiesta was originally started as a tourist attraction, like the Rose Bowl, to draw business into the town in the 1920's. 80 years later, it has become a several-day-long bash of Mexican food, Spanish dancing, and traffic tie ups all along State Street.
Flower Girls and Las Señoritas are another attraction of Feista, as they march and participate in both Fiesta Pequeña (the kickoff of Fiesta) and the various parades. Flower Girls is for girls under 13. They throw roses and other flowers into the crowds. Las Señoritas are their older escorts. Many Señoritas join the Native Daughters at the age of 16.
Other tourist-centered attractions include:
- Stearns Wharf – Adjacent to Santa Barbara Harbor, features shops, several restaurants, and the newly rebuilt Ty Warner Sea Center.
- Rafael Gonzalez House – Adobe residence of the alcaldé of Santa Barbara in the 1820s, and a national historical landmark.
- Moreton Bay Fig – a giant Moreton Bay Fig, 80 feet tall, which has one of the largest total shaded areas of any tree in North America
- Burton Mound – on Mason Street at Burton Circle, this mound is thought to be the Chumash village of Syujton, recorded by Juan Cabrillo in 1542, and again by Fr. Crespí and Portolá in 1769. (California Historical Landmark No. 306)
- De la Guerra Plaza (Casa de la Guerra) – Site of the first City Hall, and still the center of the city's administration. (California Historical Landmark No. 307)
- Covarrubias Adobe – Built in 1817; adjacent to the Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum on Santa Barbara Street. (California Historical Landmark No. 308)
- Hastings Adobe – Built in 1854, partially from material recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Winfield Scott. (California Historical Landmark No. 559)
- Carrillo Adobe – Built in 1825 by Daniel Hill for his wife Rafaela L. Ortega y Olivera; currently at 11 E. Carrillo St.
Education
Santa Barbara and the immediately adjacent area is home to several colleges and universities:
Local children go to schools in the Santa Barbara District.
Transportation
Santa Barbara is bisected by the U.S. Route 101, a primary transportation corridor that links the city to other coastal destinations, as well as up and down the entire coast California. The Santa Barbara Airport offers commercial air service. Amtrak offers rail service through the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner trains. The service is slow, though scenic, as travel is conducted on freight lines that limit speed and produce delays. The Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) provides local bus service across the city, and Greyhound bus stations are located downtown and in nearby Goleta. Electric shuttles, operated by MTD, ferry tourists and shoppers up and down lower State Street and to the wharf.
Notable residents
Santa Barbara is the birthplace of:
Celebrities who have or had owned homes in Santa Barbara and the surrounding communities include:
- Douglas Adams, author
- Rona Barrett, columnist
- Henry Brant, composer
- Jeff Bridges, actor
- Ashleigh Brilliant, writer, cartoonist, columnist
- Charles Champlin, columnist
- Warren Christopher, statesman
- John Cleese, actor
- Gary Collins, actor
- Kevin Costner, Actor
- Fred Couples, golfer
- David Crosby, musician
- Tom Cruise, actor
- Doug Davidson, actor
- Kirk Douglas, actor
- John Forsythe, actor
- Anne Francis, actress
- Dennis Franz, actor
- Andy Granatelli, race car owner
- Martin Gore, musician Depeche Mode
- Maggie Grace, actress
- Sue Grafton, novelist (whose Kinsey Millhone "alphabet series" books are set in a fictionalised version of Santa Barbara)
- Michael Jackson, singer
- Jack Johnson, surfer, musician, filmaker
- Bruce Johnston, musician
- Carole King, musician
- Cheryl Ladd, actress
- Charles Lloyd, jazz saxophonist
- Christopher Lloyd, actor, producer
- Kenny Loggins, musician
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actress
- Rob Lowe, actor
- Karl Malden, actor
- Dennis Miller, comedian
- Robert Mitchum, actor
- Mary Ann Mobley, actress
- Peter Noone, singer
- Jack Palance, actor
- Brad Pitt, actor
- Ivan Reitman, director
- Jane Russell, actress
- Alan Thicke, actor
- Cheryl Tiegs, model
- John Travolta, actor
- Eddie Vedder, musician
- Paul Walker, actor
- Stuart Whitman, actor
- Oprah Winfrey, TV host
- Jonathan Winters, comedian
- Dick Wolf, producer
- Robert Zemeckis, director
Santa Barbara, looking west-northwest from the County Courthouse tower, with Mission Santa Barbara and San Marcos Pass in the distance
External links
The content of this page is retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California under GFDL
