S A N T A B A R B A R A
From the Mediterranean-styled architecture to the incredible variety of local food and wine, Santa Barbara is the perfect escape.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Santa Barbara is a part of the Santa Barbara Unified School District. According to Niche.com, the school district is a “highly rated, public school district in Santa Barbara”. Niche.com ranks Santa Barbara Unified School District as number 105 out of the 487 best school districts in California.
COMMUNITY & CRIME REPORT
According to Areavibes.com, Santa Barbara’s crime rate is 15% higher than the national average, However, Santa Barbara is safer than 22% of the cities in the United States.
SHOPPING
Whatever corner you turn, you’ll see a shop, art gallery, or cafe waiting to be explored. Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Harbor are great locations to pick up a memento for yourself or a loved one. Coast Village Road and the Upper Village, which are just a few miles away from Montecito, have boutiques and shops with only a very few locations in the country. Pasa Nuevo offers a variety of retail stores and specialty shops. La Arcada, the ‘Santa Barbara Gem’, is unlike typical large malls; instead, it is a showcase of history. La Arcada is beautifully designed are is home to retail boutiques, art galleries, and some of Santa Barbara’s best restaurants.
RESTAURANTS
Each restaurant in Santa Barbara adds its own flair and flavor to their dishes. A recognized restaurant is A Dining Room at Belmond El Encanto, one of the top restaurants in Southern California, that specializes in cuisine with locally sourced artisanal ingredients and strong flavors.
For a more casual meal, Mony’s Mexican Food and Buena Onda are affordable must-go-to places. Mony’s Mexican Food’s menu features traditional Mexican plates and the classics. Buena Onda specializes in Latin- American empanadas stuffed with delicious savory ingredients. On a hot day, ParadICE Shave Ice will keep you cool with their authentic Hawaiian shaved ice and locally churned ice cream.
GROCERY STORES
Santa Barbara has several grocery store options. For organic and fresh produce, Whole Foods Market, Lazy Acres, and Trader Joe’s are the grocery stores for you. These stores all provide organic grocery items and have products that are specifically made for those with dietary restrictions. Standard grocery items, prepared foods, wine, and sushi can also be purchased at these locations. Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Smart & Final Extra!, and Stater Bros. Market all provide fresh produce, meats, seafood, home goods, and pharmaceutical needs in just one location..
GYMS & ACTIVITIES
Santa Barbara offers a variety of fitness clubs and gyms. Santa Barbara Gym & Fitness (De La Vina Street) and Prevail Strength & Conditioning (Santa Barbara Stree) are equipped with cardio equipment, free weights, and strength training machines. For those who love indoor cycling, StarCycle provides high-energy classes and good music that will get your adrenaline pumping. For those who want to try something new, Paragon Academy is the place to go. Paragon’s programs include boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and TRX suspension training.
LANDMARKS & ATTRACTIONS
Mission Santa Barbara, one of the city’s most iconic landmark, is frequently admired by visitors. The mission is the only California mission to remain with the Franciscans since its establishment in 1786. Upon entering, visitors can see Roman temple facade, twin towers, and colonial-era art and sculptures.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Sea Center has fascination displays regarding the region’s national history. The museum is composed of two campuses: the Mission Canyon campus and the Sea Center. The museum provides educational displays and allows visitors to touch sea life, examine microscopic behavior, and study animal behavior.
The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, one of the largest and most prestigious orchids shows in the United States, is a place where growers and flower lovers unite. The show has participants locally, regionally, and internationally. Visitors from all over the world travel to see orchid art, photography, and floral arrangement.