Santa Barbara's
Unique Charm

Protected by the rugged Channel Islands, set like a jewel upon California's elite South Coast, Santa Barbara has long been considered one of the state's most beautiful communities. While others have paved and built beyond recognition, this inviting city, just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, has fought successfully to protect its many assets, including a stunning Riviera-like setting.

The land lifts from the Pacific in a gentle rise toward the sheer Santa Ynez Mountains. Beaches give way to palm trees, and palms to subtropical foliage and lush oak, lemon, and avocado groves. On the other side of the wild chaparral of the mountain peaks lies the rolling Santa Ynez Valley where ranchlands and vineyards stretch for thousands of acres.

And there's the climate - mild; and the metropolitan population - small. From simple cottages to vast, exclusive estates, Santa Barbara homes reflect the area's rich heritage of Spanish, Mediterranean, and contemporary California influences.

In this protected and desirable environment, culture, sports, and commerce thrive. Galleries display the work of international artists. Golf, tennis, and horseback riding are year-round pastimes. The area is naturally semi-arid, which accounts for much of the climate's cordiality.

Opportunities abound in Santa Barbara to enjoy a life tailored to the individual's needs. There's quality shopping, over 400 fine restaurants, top educational institutions such as the University of California, and easy jet and rail transportation for those whose lifestyles keep them on the move.

From Montecito's wooded hills to Hope Ranch's riding trails and the Santa Ynez Valley's wide open spaces, Santa Barbara's renowned beauty is more than skin deep. Active, community-minded residents have shaped this metropolitan area into a well-rounded, multifaceted gem of a place for the discriminating person to live and work.