Why is Santa Barbara so Spanish?

Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, sailing for the Kingdom of Spain, sailed through what is now called the Santa Barbara Channel in 1542, anchoring briefly in the area. In 1602, Spanish maritime explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno gave the name "Santa Barbara" to the channel and also to one of the Channel Islands.

Why is Santa Barbara Spanish?

The Spanish came in the 18th century to occupy and Christianize the area, which became part of Mexico following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1848, the expanding United States acquired the town along with the rest of California as a result of defeating Mexico in the Mexican–American War.

When did the Spanish arrive in Santa Barbara?

Europeans' contact with California began in the mid 1530s when Cortez's men ventured to Baja California. Not until 1542 did Spaniards sail north to Alta California, and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's expedition that year made landings as far north as modern Santa Barbara.

What makes Santa Barbara so special?

Santa Barbara County, often branded as the American Riviera, is home to a beautiful landscape and great climate for living, playing, and working. The County is well known for its strong sense of community, prime agricultural land, award-winning wineries, and attractive cultural and tourism opportunities.

What is the ethnicity of Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara Demographics

White: 68.17% Other race: 13.07% Two or more races: 12.77% Asian: 3.73%

A history of Santa Barbara

Who colonized Santa Barbara?

The first Europeans to settle in this region were the Spanish with the founding of the Santa Barbara Presidio in 1782.

Do any celebrities live in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a favored destination for celebrities, offering a beautiful coastal location and a relaxed lifestyle. The city's proximity to Los Angeles makes it an attractive choice for Hollywood stars. Several A-list celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, own properties in Santa Barbara.

Why is Santa Barbara so expensive?

Part of the reasoning here behind high square-footage costs is that there are tight restrictions on development — plus, as mentioned earlier, this is a small city that's in high demand. A lot of the wealth here is inherited, and that includes property. Q: How much do you need to make to live in Santa Barbara?

Has it ever snowed in Santa Barbara?

Snow sometimes covers higher elevations of the Santa Ynez Mountains but is extremely rare in the city itself.

Did Spain colonize California?

The land they named "Alta California" was occupied by diverse groups of native people who had inhabited the land for thousands of years. Spanish colonization of "Alta California" began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769.

How did Spain lose California?

The Spanish colony of Mexico embarked on a war for independence in 1821. Following a successful revolt later that year, the Colony won its freedom from Spain. Alta California, which encompasses present-day California, passed quietly into Mexican control.

Who owned California before the US?

Coastal exploration by the Spanish began in the 16th century, with further European settlement along the coast and in the inland valleys following in the 18th century. California was part of New Spain until that kingdom dissolved in 1821, becoming part of Mexico until the Mexican–American War (1846–1848), when it was ...

What are some fun facts about Santa Barbara?

Is Santa Barbara the same as Montecito?

Montecito (Spanish for "Little mountain") is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Located on the Central Coast of California, Montecito sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

What is Santa Barbara old name?

The channel was named Santa Barbara because the ship traveled through this area on St. Barbara's Feast Day, December 4^th. The town of Santa Barbara was not named until 1782, when the Presidio and Mission (1786) were founded. The original name of the town or area was “La Laguna de Concepcion.”

Is Santa Barbara for rich people?

Yes, there are a lot of rich people who live near Santa Barbara (Oprah spent $50 million on her digs in nearby Montecito) but most of the people who live in the city proper are decidedly not wealthy.

Is Santa Barbara cheaper than LA?

The cost of living in Los Angeles, CA is -2.4% lower than in Santa Barbara, CA.

Why do so many celebrities live in Santa Barbara?

So it shouldn't be surprising to hear that many celebrities have a soft spot for Santa Barbara. After all, it's close to Los Angeles, has gorgeous views, and is a popular place for video shoots. Here are some of the most famous celebrities that live in Santa Barbara.

What's the coldest it gets in Santa Barbara?

However, extreme highs and lows may also occur. Temperatures as high as 109 degrees and as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded at the Santa Barbara Airport within the last 60 years. Temperature graph produced by the National Weather Service.

Where do celebrities hang out in Santa Barbara?

How was Santa Barbara destroyed?

At dawn on June 29, 1925, our city shook with a 6.3 earthquake leaving much of downtown destroyed or heavily damaged. The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed, and eighty-five percent of the commercial buildings downtown were destroyed or badly damaged.

Is Santa Barbara a Catholic saint?

Patronage. Saint Barbara is venerated by Catholics who face the danger of sudden and violent death at work.

What happened in Santa Barbara in 1969?

The Santa Barbara oil spill occurred in January and February 1969 in the Santa Barbara Channel, near the city of Santa Barbara in Southern California. It was the largest oil spill in United States waters at the time, and now ranks third after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon and 1989 Exxon Valdez spills.