Santa Barbara is a city located on the Pacific Coast of California, approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles. For thousands of years, the Chumash Indians inhabited the area, and when Spanish missionaries arrived and began to explore the new land in the 16th and 17th centuries, they found 150 independent Chumash villages dotting the coastline. In 1782, a group led by Father Junipero Serra, Captain Jose Ortegas, and Governor Felipe de Neve established the Santa Barbara Presidio and Mission, launching the colonization of Santa Barbara. Throughout the 19th century, California passed through the hands of Spain, Mexico and finally rested with the United States at the culmination of the Mexican-American War. Life in Santa Barbara went largely unchanged during the process; Santa Barbara locals were particularly adept at agriculture and ranching, which were their major mainstays from 1830 to 1865. After the American Civil War came to an end, Santa Barbara began to transform and expand as people from the East Coast arrived, bringing new industry and architectural styles with them. Victorian houses started to pop up, eventually overpowering the traditional Spanish Colonials. When Santa Barbara experienced a tragic earthquake in 1925 that destroyed many of the city's new buildings, ordinances were passed in favor of Spanish Colonial architecture for its durability in withstanding the quake. Today, Santa Barbara is characterized by its picturesque “Mission Revival” structures, but also contains a variety of other styles, including the prevalent California bungalow.

Currently Santa Barbara has a city population of over 89,000, and a metropolitan population of around 200,000. The city is well-known for its dramatic natural beauty, with the peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains in the background, and the beautiful beaches in the forefront, earning the city its nickname “the American Riviera.” Santa Barbara's pleasant Mediterranean climate beckons you to come and enjoy the outdoors; the city offers a multitude of outdoor recreation including, swimming and water sports, boating and fishing, windsurfing, hiking, golf, horseback riding and even whale-watching. In addition to these activities, residents of Santa Barbara also enjoy world-class shopping and dining, exciting family-friendly attractions, museums, and a vibrant artistic community. Historical attractions, such as the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and the Santa Barbara Mission invite residents and visitors to learn about Santa Barbara's past. The city hosts a variety of art and photography shows, and is home to several art galleries, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the University Art Museum on the UC Santa Barbara Campus. The performance arts are also celebrated in the city; Santa Barbara's Arlington Theatre, Lobero Theatre, and Santa Barbara Bowl are all favorite local music and theatre venues. The city has a passion for classical music, with its own symphony orchestra and several non-profit musical groups.

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