Santa Maria

Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County on California's central coast, situated on a gently sloping plain. The urban area features low buildings and wide streets that extend toward vineyards and farmland at its edges.

Spanish explorers arrived in the valley in 1769 and named the area after a local chapel. European settlement then began in the 19th century, while the local Chumash population gradually lost influence.

The name comes from a Spanish mission that shaped spiritual life in the valley during the colonial period. This connection appears today in the religious architecture and Spanish street names scattered throughout the city.

The city sits along US Route 101 and connects visitors easily to other locations on the California coast. The weather stays warm in summer and mild in winter, making visits comfortable throughout the year.

Nearby lies an airport that once operated as a military base and now handles civilian flights as well. The surrounding fields produce berries and vegetables that reach markets across the region.

Location: Santa Barbara County

Inception: 1874

Website: http://ci.santa-maria.ca.us

GPS coordinates: 34.95139,-120.43333

Latest update: December 18, 2025 15:40