Santa Barbara, California

:Alternative meaning: Santa Barbara (soap opera)

Geography

Santa Barbara is located at 34°25'33" North, 119°42'51" West (34.425804, -119.714189){{GR|1}}. 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.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - Pacific - Santa Barbara County - Mediterranean climate

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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.

Related Topics:
Spanish - Billboard

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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 contiguous with the city.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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