ADU Contractor Santa Maria, California

Santa Maria (Spanish for “St. Mary”) is a city in the Central Coast of California in northern Santa Barbara County. It is approximately 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Its population was 109,707 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous city in the county and the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Metro Area. The city is notable for its wine industry and Santa Maria-style barbecue.

History

The Santa Maria Valley, stretching from the Santa Lucia Mountains toward the Pacific Ocean, was the homeland of the Chumash people for several thousand years. The Native Americans made their homes upon the slopes of the surrounding hills in the middle of the oaks, on the banks of the Santa Maria River in the course of the sycamores, and along the coast. They had unique plank-built boats, called Tomol, which they used for ocean fishing.

In 1769, the Portolá Expedition passed through the Santa Maria Valley during the first Spanish estate exploration taking place the coast of Las Californias Province. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was customary just north of the valley in 1772, and Mission La Purísima Concepción was established near present-day Lompoc in 1787. Rather than wealthy soil, white settlers were attracted here by the possibility of forgive land. In 1821, after the Mexican War of Independence, the mission lands in Santa Maria Valley were made nearby for private ownership under a Mexican land grant called Rancho Punta de Laguna. At the fall of the Mexican War in 1848, California was ceded to the United States, and was granted statehood subsequent to the Compromise of 1850.

In the late 19th century, the area’s rich soil attracted farmers and extra settlers. By the decline of the century, the Santa Maria River Valley had become one of the most productive agricultural areas in the state. Agriculture remains a key component of the economy for the city and every region.

Between 1869 and 1874, four of the valley’s settlers, Rudolph Cook, John Thornburg, Isaac Fesler (for whom Fesler Jr. High School is named), and Isaac Miller (for whom Miller Elementary School is named), built their homes near each other at the present corners upon Broadway and Main Street. The townsite was recorded in Santa Barbara in 1875. The extra town was named Grangerville, then untouched to Central City. It became Santa Maria on February 18, 1885, since mail was often creature sent by mistake to Central City, Colorado. Santa Maria was fixed from the make known Juan Pacifico Ontiveros had truth to his property 25 years earlier. Streets named after the four settlers now form a 6-block square centered at Broadway and Main Street, the middle of town.

Oil exploration began in 1888, leading to large-scale discoveries at the viewpoint of the 20th century. In 1902, Union Oil discovered the large Orcutt Oil Field in the Solomon Hills south of town, and a number of smaller companies also began pumping oil. Two years later, Union Oil had 22 wells in production. Other significant discoveries followed, including the Lompoc Oil Field in 1903 and the Cat Canyon sports ground in 1908. Over the neighboring 80 years more large oil fields were found, and thousands of oil wells drilled and put into production. Oil progress intensified in the 1930s, with the discovery of the Santa Maria Valley Oil Field in 1934, right underneath the southern and western parts of the city of Santa Maria, which spurred the city’s accumulation even further. By 1957 there were 1,775 oil wells in operation in the Santa Maria Valley, producing more than $640 million worth of oil.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.4 square miles (58 km), of which, 22.8 square miles (59 km²) of it is house and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km) of it (2.73%) is water.

Santa Maria is situated north of the unincorporated community of Orcutt, California, and south of the Santa Maria River (which serves as the line between Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County). The valley is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the San Rafael Mountains and the Los Padres National Forest. The city of Guadalupe, California is approximately 9 miles (14 km) to the west of Santa Maria.

Climate

Santa Maria experiences a cool Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) typical of coastal areas of California north of Point Conception. The climate is mostly sunny, refreshed by the ocean breeze. Fog is common. Snow in the mountains is seen during the winter however, in the lowest parts of the city it is approximately unknown; with the last brief flurry recorded in January 1949. The lonesome recorded earlier snowfall was in January 1882. Rainfall averages 14 inches (360 mm) annually. The record high temperature of 110 °F (43.3 °C) was observed on June 20, 2008, while the autograph album low of 20 °F (−6.7 °C) was observed twice: on January 2, 1976 and December 7, 1978.

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Santa Maria had a population of 99,553. The population density was 4,255.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,643.0/km²). The racial makeup of Santa Maria was 55,983 (56.2%) White, 1,656 (1.7%) African American, 1,818 (1.8%) Native American, 5,054 (5.1%) Asian, 161 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 29,841 (30.0%) from extra races, and 5,040 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 70,114 persons (70.4%).

The Census reported that 98,546 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 588 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 419 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 26,908 households, out of which 13,223 (49.1%) had kids under the age of 18 vivacious in them, 14,616 (54.3%) were opposite-sex married couples vibrant together, 3,962 (14.7%) had a female householder like no husband present, 1,901 (7.1%) had a male householder later than no wife present. There were 1,754 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 190 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 5,079 households (18.9%) were made taking place of individuals, and 2,431 (9.0%) had someone active alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.66. There were 20,479 families (76.1% of whatever households); the average relatives size was 4.06.

The population was enhance out, with 31,302 people (31.4%) under the age of 18, 12,170 people (12.2%) aged 18 to 24, 28,486 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 18,204 people (18.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 9,391 people (9.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

There were 28,294 housing units at an average density of 1,209.4 per square mile (467.0/km), of which 13,893 (51.6%) were owner-occupied, and 13,015 (48.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%. 46,463 people (46.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 52,083 people (52.3%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

According to the 2000 census, there were 77,423 people, 22,146 households, and 16,653 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,005.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,546.6/km²). There were 22,847 housing units at an average density of 1,182.1 per square mile (456.4/km). The racial makeup of the city was 58.1% White, 1.9% African American, 1.8% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 28.02% from supplementary races, and 5.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 59.7% of the population.

There were 22,146 households, out of which 42% had children under the age of 18 living subsequent to them, 56.4% were married couples active together, 13.3% had a female householder bearing in mind no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made occurring of individuals, and 9.3% had someone busy alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.40 and the average relations size was 3.85.

In the city, the population was encroachment out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For all 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median allowance for a household in the city was $51,739, and the median income for a associates was $48,233. Males had a median pension of $28,700 versus $22,364 for females. The per capita allowance for the city was $13,780. About 15.5% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Agriculture plays an important role in the city’s economy. The Santa Maria area is house to an increasing number of vineyards, wineries and winemakers and is centrally located to both the Santa Ynez and Foxen Canyon areas of Santa Barbara County’s wine country, and San Luis Obispo County’s Edna Valley-Arroyo Grande wine country.

The agricultural areas surrounding the city are some of the most productive in California, with primary crops including strawberries, wine grapes, celery, lettuce, peas, squash, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli and beans. Many cattle ranchers along with call the Santa Maria Valley home.

Two of the city’s major retail centers, the Crossroads, completed in 1999, and the historic Enos Ranch site, still under development, are both situated next to the U.S. Route 101/Betteravia Road swap and feature several prominent big-box stores. The city is also house to the Santa Maria Town Center, the abandoned enclosed shopping mall in Santa Barbara County and the largest on the Central Coast, located at the junction of Broadway and Main Street.

Santa Maria furthermore features the historic Santa Maria Inn, located upon South Broadway; originally built in 1917 by Frank McCoy, it is a registered historic landmark and features a broad range of amenities. Several famous guests have stayed at this inn, including Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, and Herbert Hoover.

In recent years, other industries have been extra to the city’s agricultural and retail mix, including: aerospace; communications; high-tech research and development; energy production; military operations; and manufacturing.

The petroleum industry has long had a large presence in the area, since oil was first discovered at the Orcutt Oil Field in 1902. By 1957, there were 1,775 oil wells in operation in the Santa Maria Valley, producing more than $640 million worth of oil.

Top employers

According to the city’s 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Arts and culture

Tri-Tip and Santa Maria-style barbecue

Santa Maria-style barbecue is a regional culinary tradition rooted in the Santa Maria Valley. The tri-tip steak has its roots in Santa Maria. Tri-tip is a cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It is a small triangular muscle, usually 1.5 to 2.5 lb (680 to 1,130 g) per side of beef. In the United States, this clip was typically used for field beef or sliced into steaks until the late 1950s, when it became a local specialty in Santa Maria. “Santa Maria-style” barbecue is usually used in reference to the seasoning of tri-tip or further meats (most notably summit sirloin, or “top block”) when rubbed later salt, pepper, and spices and cooked whole on a rotisserie or grilled greater than local red oak wood. The garnishes complementing a typical “Santa Maria-style” barbecue generally consist of garlic bread, pinquito beans, and a salad.

Sunset Magazine’s August 2013 concern features a 10-page spread on Santa Maria Style BBQ, crowning Santa Maria as “The West’s Best BBQ Town”.

Wine

Santa Maria, along later the neighboring Lompoc, Los Alamos and Santa Ynez Valleys, combine to Make one of the nation’s largest wine-producing regions, referred to as the Santa Barbara Wine Country.

The often foggy and windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northernmost appellation in Santa Barbara County. The region’s first officially qualified American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys entirely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. Chardonnay and Pinot noir are two varietals which especially plus from the ocean’s influence, and are the flagship wines of this appellation.

Santa Maria Valley grapes are along with used by wineries throughout Santa Barbara County and at many wineries uncovered of the county. The Santa Maria Valley state is used upon labels from wineries that are based far afield from the Santa Barbara County sunshine. The Santa Maria Valley appellation is bounded by the San Rafael Mountains and the Los Padres National Forest to the east, and by the Solomon Hills and the city of Santa Maria to the west.

Theatre

Santa Maria’s Allan Hancock College is the home of The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA), a theatrical hypothetical and production company. Notable alumni include: Robin Williams, Kathy Bates, Kelly McGillis, Mercedes Ruehl, and Zac Efron. An new PCPA theatre is located in Solvang, California in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Santa Maria is also home to one large indoor Regal Edwards movie theater, located in the Town Center Mall.

Santa Maria as well as has a small community theatre, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre which is located on the northwest side of town.

Parks and recreation

Santa Maria Fairpark, located at Stowell Road and Thornberg Street, is home to the annual Santa Barbara County Fair, which began in 1891. It is also house to the annual Strawberry Festival, in auxiliary to a wide variety of new events, concerts, and conventions.

Waller Park is a 154-acre park located at the south grow less of Santa Maria, featuring two large duck ponds when water fountains, several playgrounds, picnic and sports areas, a hiking trail, and a frisbee golf course. The first parcels of estate that would become Waller Park were donated by the Santa Maria Golf and Country Club in 1928, and the remainder of the home was purchased in 1964 and 1967.

Preisker Park, located at the north end, is home to large entrance fields, a disc golf course, playgrounds and picnic areas. Its main feature is the large pond past a little replica of the Santa Maria ship, which kids can discharge duty on.

The Santa Maria Skate Park is located in Fletcher Park. There is next the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center/Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. Rotary Centennial Park has a basketball court, a baseball field, a large contact grass area, and two playgrounds. Each year, the Annual Free Family Kite Festival organized by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is held there.

Government

Santa Maria’s management is split down the middle of the political spectrum, in contrast to Santa Barbara, which tends to be more liberal. Due in allowance to this political division, plus irrigation and water-supply issues, many attempts have been made to divide the county, the northern part from Point Conception upwards to become Mission County. Thus far and wide the action has been unsuccessful. Santa Maria is a reliably Democratic stronghold, having voted for the Democratic candidate for the past six elections, as of 2020.

Education

School districts

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) is the oldest tall school district in the State of California and runs the three primary public tall schools in the area: Santa Maria High School, Pioneer Valley High School, and Ernest Righetti High School. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District is house to 16,900 students in 17 elementary schools (K-6th grade) and four junior high schools (7th-8th grade). The schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District help students who bring to life within the city limits of Santa Maria, the county Place of Tanglewood and the county Place just outside Santa Maria heading toward Guadalupe. There are as a consequence four notable private schools in the valley: St. Joseph High School, St. Marys Catholic School, Valley Christian Academy, and Pacific Christian School (K-6th grade).

The Orcutt Union School District serves students who breathing in the unincporporated community of Orcutt and serves students in grades K through 12.

Allan Hancock College

Allan Hancock College is a California public community theoretical located in northern Santa Barbara County. Allan Hancock College was ranked as one of the five best community colleges in California and one of the nation’s summit 120 community colleges. Approximately 11,500 balance students enroll each semester at one of the college’s four locations in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, or at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The main campus is in a 105-acre park in Santa Maria. Allan Hancock College is known for its distinguished supple programs which have included former head football coaches John Madden and Ernie Zampese, as well as Gunther Cunningham. The hypothetical is also house to the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, one of the state’s finest theatre programs.

Santa Maria is also home to Santa Barbara Business College, which has been serving the community in the past 1982.

Media

Television

The when TV stations publicize in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria Television Market Area:

Radio

Infrastructure

Transportation

Roads

U.S. Route 101 runs through the center of the Santa Maria Valley and is the main freeway connecting many West Coast cities. It has been better to freeway status (meaning all at-grade intersections have been eliminated) within the city of Santa Maria itself. A $32 million widening project that expanded the freeway from four to six lanes amongst Santa Maria Way and the Highway 166 exit was completed by in advance 2009.

State Route 1 runs around the western edge of the city and connects it to available Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc. The section of US 101 in the city is a freeway, and a small part of a easy to use section of Highway 1 that runs together with the city and the base is next a freeway, but the two freeway segments reach not directly attach to each other.

State Route 135 is considered to be the major artery through the city. It comes from Los Alamos, a town to the south of Santa Maria, and it enters Orcutt and Santa Maria as an expressway. The expressway runs all the exaggeration to Santa Maria Way. Highway 135 later turns into Broadway and runs through the heart of the city and whatever the artifice up to the Santa Maria River and U.S. 101.

Rail

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR) is a shortline freight railroad to Guadalupe where the Union Pacific Railroad Interchange tapering off is. Main thing includes storage of railroad cars considering northern California and southern California storage area are full. In the 1990s, the city proposed a spacious rail support to replace the SMV’s right-of-way, as its sophisticated was uncertain.

The nearest train station afterward long-distance Amtrak further is in Guadalupe, to which Amtrak provides bus foster from Santa Maria. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner provides twice daily advance in each direction, running to San Luis Obispo to the north and to San Diego via Los Angeles to the south.

Bus

SMAT, Santa Maria Area Transit, is a local bus benefits provided by both city and county-run lines, it has recently expanded its facilities during the evening that stretch to 10:15 P.M. The Breeze Bus provides advance to Lompoc, Vandenberg Air Force Base, and Santa Maria. RTA Route 10 connects Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo. The Guadalupe Flyer connects Santa Maria and Guadalupe.

Long-distance intercity bus support is provided by Greyhound Lines. The Clean Air Express commuter bus runs along with Santa Maria and Goleta as skillfully as a lineage to Santa Barbara weekdays.

Airport

The Santa Maria Public Airport is served by two airlines, United Airlines. United Airlines announced minister to to Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco daily starting June 4, 2020. United is now booking flights to San Francisco and Denver starting Fall 2021, instead of this summer which was before announced. Allegiant Air operates nonstop jet advance three days a week to Las Vegas.

Courts

Santa Maria is house to one of three qualified Superior Court locations in Santa Barbara County, with the additional courthouse located in Santa Barbara. From 2003 to 2005, the Superior Court handled a felony complaint adjacent to Michael Jackson (see Michael Jackson: 2005 trial) which reached a not guilty verdict upon June 13, 2005. The District Attorney chose to present the procedures in Santa Maria due to its close proximity from Neverland Ranch where the alleged incident took place.

Law enforcement

As the primary operate enforcement agency for the City of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Police Department handles approximately 130,000 calls for bolster each year. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office next operates within the city in accessory to the Santa Maria Park Officers who consist of 6 sworn officers who derive their authority below CA Penal code section 831.31(b). The SMPD is administratively not speaking into the three divisions, Administration, Operations, and Support, and has 111 sworn officers and 49 full-time Keep personnel.

Notable people

Entertainment

Sports

Politics

Other

In popular culture

In the Space: 1999 episode “Another Time, Another Place”, the “Earth” Alphans, during their period upon Earth, have built a little village in the destroyed Santa Maria, discovering that on Earth there was an Atlantis-like civilization.

In the 1995 film Nick of Time, the main environment Gene Watson who is played by Johnny Depp is from Santa Maria, CA.

See also

References

External links