Misplaced Pages

#500499

98-679: The Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County, California is a rural coastline along the Santa Barbara Channel roughly bounded by Goleta Point on the south and the north boundary of the county on the north. This last undeveloped stretch of Southern California coastline consists of dramatic bluffs, isolated beaches and terraced grasslands . Sites inhabited in the Paleoindian Period (13,000–8,500 B.P. ) have been found through archeological deposits at

196-709: A national marine sanctuary . After a positive review of the nomination, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began the process of designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary with a public comment process in 2021. Under the original proposal, it would have included about 7,600 square miles (19,700 km) of the Pacific Ocean and its shoreline would have extended for 156 miles (251 km), including coastal landmarks significant to

294-476: A large economic impact in the northern portion of the county and continues to be the site of frequent satellite launches. Agriculture is a major industry. Strawberries are the county's top crop, with $ 413 million in production making up more than a third of all county agricultural production. Wine grapes are typically number two. In 2022, cauliflower was number two due to the weather and popularity of cauliflower rice . County farmers began growing hemp after it

392-406: A large military base, Vandenberg Space Force Base , and thus military interests are prominent. These influences have created a Republican-leaning northern half. The southern portion of Santa Barbara county has had an economy based on tourism, with a significant percentage of people with white-collar jobs, formerly in aerospace but more recently in software and other high-tech pursuits. Additionally,

490-602: A maximum depth of 11,580 feet (3,530 m). Undersea features within its boundaries include Arguello Canyon , Rodriguez Seamount , and a portion of the Santa Lucia Bank . A high level of biodiversity exists in the waters of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, where productive ecosystems support a wide variety of marine life , including sensitive species and habitats . Ecological habitats found in

588-559: A referendum, this effort was defeated by a 3-1 margin. In 2006, northern county organizations initiated a similar secession proposal, to create a proposed "Mission County." Then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed a formation commission to research the viability of the proposed northern county, which reached the conclusion, stated in its final report released on March 28, 2005, that "the proposed County, upon formation in 2006, would not be economically viable at current levels of service." The proposed new Mission County would have included

686-411: A spark for the modern environmental movement, coated the beaches and Santa Barbara Harbor with a thick crude in 1969. In recent years, major oil companies have left the area, turning over their oil leases to small independents, and decommissioning some leases areas that were no longer profitable. Concerns about the economy were foremost when, in 2014, Measure P was placed on the county ballot. If approve by

784-825: Is a county located in Southern California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 448,229. The county seat is Santa Barbara , and the largest city is Santa Maria . Santa Barbara County comprises the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area . Most of the county is part of the California Central Coast . Mainstays of the county's economy include engineering, resource extraction (particularly petroleum extraction and diatomaceous earth mining), winemaking, agriculture, and education. The software development and tourism industries are important employers in

882-669: Is a 3,600 acres (1,500 ha) working ranch that was developed with two luxury homes over a period of 40 years under the ownership of Mansour Ojjeh . The 1,800 acres (730 ha) Las Varas Ranch was purchased by Charlie Munger and donated to the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018. The area was one of the earliest locations in California developed for offshore oil and gas production . Crude oil and natural gas are produced from offshore platforms . The Hondo and Harmony oil rigs can be easily seen offshore in front of

980-596: Is a rural coastline north of Goleta. This last undeveloped stretch of Southern California coastline consists of dramatic bluffs , isolated beaches and terraced grasslands . North of the Santa Ynez range in the Santa Ynez Valley are the towns of Solvang , Buellton , and Lompoc ; the unincorporated towns of Santa Ynez , Los Olivos and Ballard ; the unincorporated areas of Mission Hills and Vandenberg Village ; and Vandenberg Space Force Base , where

1078-495: Is at the southern end of the Gaviota Coast marked by Goleta Point also known as Campus Point). The coastal waters are considered unique for the biodiversity of ocean life. The unusual species found here are the result of the cold water from the north meeting the warm water from the south. The annual migration of about 19,000 Gray whales through the Santa Barbara Channel may come as close as 100 feet (30 m) from

SECTION 10

#1732772042501

1176-652: Is now the city of Santa Barbara . The presidio and mission kept Vizcaino's denomination, as did the later city and county – a common practice which has preserved the names of many of the 21 California Missions . Other missions in Santa Barbara County are located in Santa Ynez and Lompoc. European contacts had devastating effects on the Chumash people, including a series of disease epidemics that drastically reduced Chumash population. The Chumash survived, however, and thousands of Chumash descendants still live in

1274-485: Is on the southern coastal plain, referred to as the "south coast" – meaning the part of the county south of the Santa Ynez Mountains . This region includes the cities of Santa Barbara , Goleta , and Carpinteria , as well as the unincorporated areas of Hope Ranch , Summerland , Mission Canyon , Montecito , and Isla Vista , along with stretches of unincorporated area such as Noleta . The Gaviota Coast

1372-488: Is one of the larger coastal streams along the coast and descends through a mosaic of commercial orchards, ranches, and rural residential developments and crosses under Highway 101 before flowing into the Pacific Ocean . The Bacara Resort was constructed on a formerly undeveloped section of the coast in 2000 at the western edge of the city of Goleta . The campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

1470-496: Is processed at onshore receiving plants connected to distant refineries by pipelines. The Refugio oil spill on May 19, 2015, immediately north of Refugio State Beach, leaked 142,800 U.S. gallons (3,400 barrels; 541,000 liters) of crude oil out of one of the pipelines. In July 2015, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council submitted aa nomination of the ocean area off the Gaviota Coast for inclusion in

1568-475: Is the current chief probation officer . The department was established in 1909 following the enactment of California's first probation laws. After 106 years in service, there are currently 241 probation officers and juvenile institutions officers keeping tabs on 6,600 adults and 1,350 juveniles as of 2015. The probation department has locations in Santa Maria , Santa Barbara , and Lompoc . For most of

1666-495: The California State Assembly , Santa Barbara is split between the 35th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Jasmeet Bains , and the 37th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Gregg Hart . The Santa Barbara County Sheriff provides court protection, jail management, and coroner service for the entire county. It provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of

1764-645: The Channel Islands – San Miguel Island , Santa Cruz Island , Santa Rosa Island and Santa Barbara Island – are in Santa Barbara County. They form the largest part of the Channel Islands National Park (which also includes Anacapa Island in Ventura County ). Santa Barbara County has a mountainous interior abutting several coastal plains on the west and south coasts of the county. The largest concentration of population

1862-642: The Goleta Slough and the boundary of El Capitan State Beach. Dos Pueblos Institute uses the ranch as an outdoor classroom teaching sustainable agriculture and provides Chumash bands with a place for ceremonies. The Cultured Abalone Farm, which is situated on the ranch, is partnering with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Southwest Fisheries Science Center on

1960-542: The Last Glacial Period , such communities existed on land that became submerged by rising sea levels as the glaciers retreated. The sanctuary's waters thus cover the paleoshorelines and ancestral lands which now lie on the seabed . The creation of the sanctuary protects ancient village locations that probably lie along the submerged paleoshorelines. Coastal schooners and other small sailing ships transported cargo such as lumber and produce along

2058-565: The Nature Conservancy . The four Channel Islands in Santa Barbara County are Santa Barbara Island , San Miguel Island , Santa Rosa Island , and the large Santa Cruz Island . All of them contain native and endemic wildlife, like the island oak and Torrey Pine. All four have the deer mouse living on them, the three latter, the island fox, and the two latter, the island spotted skunk. There used to be skunks on San Miguel Island, but due to predation from marine life, birds, and foxes,

SECTION 20

#1732772042501

2156-622: The Orcutt , Lompoc , Santa Maria Valley, and Cat Canyon fields provided jobs and a steady supply of oil, gas, and asphalt since the first oil discovery in the Solomon Hills in 1901. Protests have marked periodic resistance to the impact of oil drilling over the years. A protest in 1929 in Santa Barbara expressed the frustration of the wealthy who came here to get away from it all. The largest spill in California waters , credited as

2254-410: The University of California, Santa Barbara contributes to a liberal populace. The southern portion of the county has a strong history of left-wing activism, with anti-war protests common in Santa Barbara. It is generally believed that the inspiration for Earth Day was the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill . Gaylord Nelson , the senator who proposed the idea, has never directly cited any direct cause for

2352-503: The White Abalone Restoration Consortium, which is studying this endangered marine snail and restoring the wild populations. They are also collaborating in developing curriculum to educate the next generation about sustainable aquaculture and conservation . Hollister Ranch has six beaches but they are difficult for the public to access. Some of the ranches are also luxury estates. El Rancho Tajiguas

2450-541: The attack on Pearl Harbor , the Continental United States came under attack. A radio address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt was being broadcast when the sub surfaced in the Santa Barbara Channel . No one was hurt but there was damage to an oil pier. The incident created fear, and panic on the West Coast. The Army set up a radar unit where a beach resort had developed in the early 1920s as

2548-486: The automobile age began and the beaches became a popular destination for motorists. After the unit was decommissioned in 1946, the owners sold the property to the state and Refugio State Beach continued as a popular beach getaway. In 1953, the state purchased another private campground and created El Capitán State Beach . Congress ordered a study in 1999 for a proposed 76-mile-long (122 km) National Seashore from Coal Oil Point at UC Santa Barbara to Point Sal at

2646-416: The nature conservation and renewable energy goals of the U.S. and California state governments, NOAA set its boundaries so that it did not include offshore areas where wind turbines or wind power transmission cables were expected to be installed. The proposed sanctuary's size was reduced to 4,543 square miles (11,766 km ), although NOAA noted that it would consider expansion of the sanctuary once

2744-504: The 18th century. Since commercial viticulture rebounded in the 1960s, Santa Barbara County has become a prominent viticultural region. The 2004 Alexander Payne film, Sideways , set in the Santa Ynez Valley , brought additional attention to the county as a wine region, especially for its Pinot noir wines. The region, also noted for its Chardonnay wines, is gaining a reputation for Rhone varietals including Syrah and Viognier . The areas planted with wine grapes are mixed in with

2842-551: The 1980s along the western Santa Barbara Coast, as well as the remains of Arlington Springs Man found on Santa Rosa Island in the 1960s. For thousands of years, the area was home to the Chumash tribe of Native Americans, complex hunter-gatherers who lived along the coast and in interior valleys leaving rock art in many locations, including Painted Cave . Europeans first contacted the Chumash in AD 1542, when three Spanish ships under

2940-495: The 1980s. By the mid-2010s, a concerted effort by Indigenous peoples, tribal governments, community leaders and organizations, businesses, California state and local officials, and members of the United States Congress to establish the sanctuary was underway. In July 2015, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council submitted a sanctuary nomination on behalf of a broad consortium of stakeholders and interested parties,

3038-461: The 20th century, Santa Barbara County was a Republican stronghold. From 1920 to 1988, it was only carried by two Democrats: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson . However, the county has leaned to the left in recent years. Overall, Santa Barbara now usually supports Democratic candidates in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Republican to win a majority in the county

Gaviota Coast - Misplaced Pages Continue

3136-442: The California coast is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southwest of Lompoc, the nearly 3,000-acre site (1,200 ha) includes IdentiFlight, a way to identify approaching raptors and temporarily stop the turbines before the raptors enter rotor range, as red-tailed hawks are common here. The remote coastline is used as a landing for human and drug smuggling from Mexico. US 101 and the main coastal railroad line both parallel

3234-554: The Channel Islands in the Santa Barbara Channel from the highway or railroad. Local land use agencies have kept oil processing facilities to a minimum while the oil and gas are processed at onshore receiving plants before being transported to distant refineries . The Strauss Wind Farm, consisting of twenty-seven windmills atop rolling hills near the ocean, powered up in 2023. The first wind power complex on

3332-457: The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA employs a philosophy of "indigenous collaborative co-stewardship" to ensure that its stewardship of the sanctuary respects and honors the traditions, culture, and desires of indigenous peoples, that NOAA and indigenous tribes make collaborative or cooperative agreements regarding their shared interests in the sanctuary, that interested members of indigenous tribes can make meaningful contributions to

3430-517: The Chumash people's heritage from Gaviota Creek north to Santa Rosa Creek near the town of Cambria in San Luis Obispo County. An 83-day scoping period followed from November 2021 to January 2022. During this period, NOAA solicited public comments by hosting three virtual public meetings to discuss the proposed sanctuary. These comments informed NOAA's initial development of draft designation documents, which included consideration of

3528-755: The Chumash people's heritage from Gaviota Creek north to Santa Rosa Creek near the town of Cambria in San Luis Obispo County. NOAA designated the sanctuary on October 11, 2024, with an area of 4,543 square miles (11,766 km) and a 116-mile (187 km) coastline stretching from just south of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County southward to Naples Reef off Santa Barbara County. The sanctuary has extensive kelp forests , vast sandy beaches , coastal dunes , and wetlands serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitats for many threatened and endangered species . The Alisal Fire ignited in

3626-564: The Mexican land grants, Rancho Punta de la Concepcion (1837), Rancho Cañada del Corral (1841) and Rancho Dos Pueblos (1842). Near the end of the 1920s, an oil boom started at the Ellwood Oil Field resulting in additional drilling along the coast. During World War II , a Japanese submarine shelled the pier, tanks, and associated equipment. The Bombardment of Ellwood began in the evening of February 23, 1942. A few weeks after

3724-486: The San Miguel Island skunk has gone extinct. Santa Barbara County has a mild warm-summer Mediterranean climate . Along the coast, temperatures rarely exceed 100 °F (38 °C) in the summer, but rarely dip below freezing in winter. In the interior, however, summertime temperatures can soar over 100 °F (38 °C). Above 2,000 feet (610 meters), temperatures can frequently fall below freezing during

3822-739: The San Rafaels. North of the mountains is the arid and sparsely populated Cuyama Valley , portions of which are in San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. Oil production, ranching, and agriculture dominate the land use in the privately owned parts of the Cuyama Valley; the Los Padres National Forest is adjacent to the south, and regions to the north and northeast are owned by the Bureau of Land Management and

3920-602: The Santa Barbara area or surrounding counties. A tribal homeland was established in 1901, the Santa Ynez Reservation . Following the Mexican secularization of the missions in the 1830s, the mission pasture lands were mostly broken up into large ranchos and granted mainly to prominent local citizens who already lived in the area. 604 of these land grants were later confirmed by the state of California, with 36 in Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara County

4018-588: The Santa Ynez River flows out to the sea. North of the Santa Ynez Valley are the cities of Santa Maria and Guadalupe , and the unincorporated towns of Orcutt , Los Alamos , Casmalia , Garey , and Sisquoc . In the extreme northeastern portion of the county are the small cities of New Cuyama , Cuyama , and Ventucopa . As of January 1, 2006, Santa Maria has become the largest city in Santa Barbara County. The principal mountain ranges of

Gaviota Coast - Misplaced Pages Continue

4116-476: The afternoon of October 11, 2021; it burned 16,970 acres (6,868 ha) and destroyed 12 homes. One of the last blazes of the 2021 California wildfire season , the wildfire broke out near the Alisal Reservoir and strong northwest winds rapidly pushed the fire south through the rugged Los Padres National Forest . The fire grew by hundreds of acres within hours as sundowner winds fanned the flames over

4214-405: The age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.33. In the county, 24.9% of the population was under

4312-460: The age of 18, 13.3% was from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 46,677, and the median income for a family was $ 54,042. Males had a median income of $ 37,997 versus $ 29,593 for females. The per capita income for

4410-622: The area's climate and meteorology influence how the pollution are diffused. The 2010 United States Census reported that Santa Barbara County had a population of 423,895. The ethnic makeup of Santa Barbara County was 295,124 (69.6%) White , 8,513 (2.0%) African American , 5,485 (1.3%) Native American , 20,665 (4.9%) Asian (1.6% Filipino, 1.0% Chinese, 0.5% Japanese, 0.5% Korean, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.4% Indian), 806 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 73,860 (17.4%) from other races , and 19,442 (4.6%) from two or more races. There were 181,687 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (42.9%); 38.5% of

4508-522: The cities of Santa Maria, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Buellton, and Solvang, as well as the Cuyama Valley and Santa Ynez Valley, including Lake Cachuma . Most of the south coast of Santa Barbara County, along with the Channel Islands, would have remained with that county, with the exception of the stretch from Hollister Ranch to Point Conception . Most of the Los Padres National Forest also would have remained with Santa Barbara County. But in June 2006, voters rejected

4606-577: The coast of North America through the waters of what is now the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary during the entire combined history of control of the area by the Spanish Empire , Mexico , and the United States . Over 200 documented shipwrecks lie in the sanctuary — both along and off the coast — and span this entire history. Wrecked aircraft also lie on the seabed in the sanctuary. The oldest ocean-going steamship lost in

4704-467: The coast: Point Conception State Marine Reserve , Naples State Marine Conservation Area , Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area and Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary . Dos Pueblos, a 214-acre ranch (87 ha), was subdivided as Naples , but remained undeveloped. The ranch is within Rancho Dos Pueblos , a 15,535-acre (62.87 km) Mexican land grant , stretching between

4802-532: The coastal area in 1769, on its way to Monterey Bay . The party traveled the same route on the return to San Diego in January 1770. That same year, a second expedition to Monterey again passed through the area. The DeAnza expeditions of 1774-76 followed Portola's trail. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was established in 1782 (4th of 5 in California), followed by Mission Santa Barbara in 1786 – both in what

4900-452: The coastline atop the coastal bluff with train trestles crossing the stream beds that cut through the slope. The 21-mile-long (34 km) section of US 101 from the north boundary of Goleta to State Route 1 at Las Cruces is designated by the state as a scenic highway. While the highway turns inland at Gaviota State Park , the coastal bluff section of the rail line is longer at 30 miles (48 km) traversing areas mostly inaccessible to

4998-718: The coastline facing the sanctuary include Avila Beach , Arroyo Grande , Goleta , Grover Beach , and Pismo Beach , while Santa Barbara is on the coast just south of the sanctuary and Guadalupe , Lompoc , San Luis Obispo , and Santa Maria lie inland near the sanctuary. The sanctuary is adjacent to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to its north and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to its south. It stretches nearly 60 miles (52 nmi; 97 km) from shore and its waters reach

SECTION 50

#1732772042501

5096-614: The command of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo explored the area. The Santa Barbara Channel received its name from Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno when he sailed along the California coast in 1602; his ships entered the channel on December 4, the day of the feast of Santa Barbara . Spanish ships associated with the Manila Galleon trade probably made emergency stops along the coast during the next 167 years, but no permanent settlements were established. The first land expedition to explore California, led by Gaspar de Portolà explored

5194-546: The county and two cities by contract. Incorporated municipalities within the county that have their own municipal police departments are Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara City. Carpinteria and Goleta by contract with the Sheriff. The Santa Barbara County Probation Department provides services for those placed on probation or detained in Santa Maria Juvenile Hall or Los Prietos Boys Camp. Tanja Heitman

5292-698: The county are the Santa Ynez Mountains in the south, and the San Rafael Mountains and Sierra Madre Mountains in the interior and northeast. Most of the mountainous area is within the Los Padres National Forest , and includes two wilderness areas: the San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness . The highest elevation in the county is 6,820 feet (2,080 m) at Big Pine Mountain in

5390-529: The county was $ 23,059. About 8.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over. The population of the area south of the Santa Ynez Mountain crest—the portion known as "South County"—was 201,161 according to the 2000 census; thus the population is almost exactly split between north and south. Recent years have shown slow or even negative growth for regions in

5488-471: The county was 72.7% White , 2.3% Black or African American , 1.2% Native American , 4.1% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 15.2% from other races , and 4.3% from two or more races. 34.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.1% were of German , 8.5% English and 6.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000 . 26.6% of the population reported speaking Spanish at home. There were 136,622 households, out of which 32.4% had children under

5586-478: The county was divided into two congressional districts, which reflected the north and south divide – the hallmark of the county's politics. Lois Capps represented the coastal areas, while Elton Gallegly , a Republican, represented the northern part of the county. In the California State Senate , Santa Barbara is in the 19th Senate District , represented by Democrat Monique Limón . In

5684-484: The county, as well as several cities within the county. The cities that the Sheriff's Office provides police services for include Buellton , Carpinteria , Goleta and Solvang . In total the 640 full-time employees of the Sheriff's Office are responsible for 2,745 square miles (7,110 km ) of the county. Founded in 1850, the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office is the oldest law enforcement agency in

5782-406: The county, unlike much of southern California, is generally good because of the prevailing winds off of the Pacific Ocean. The county is in attainment of federal standards for ozone and particulate matter . In July 2020 the county was designated as attainment for the state ozone standard, but it still does not attain the state PM10 standard. the county's location plus the cities near it establishes

5880-555: The establishment of the holiday. On November 4, 2008, Santa Barbara County voted 53.5% against Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. It was the only county in Southern California to vote against the proposition. In 1978, some residents of the northern area initiated an effort to create a "Los Padres County" out of the northern area of the county; in

5978-560: The filtration system which uses wood chips at the Tajiguas Landfill and damaged the drainage system, the landfill gas collection system, and some heavy equipment. Crews worked to keep the fire away from buildings on the scattered ranches, the shuttered Exxon Mobil facility in Las Flores canyon, and Rancho del Cielo , the vacation home of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan . Freedom Lake, one of two lakes at

SECTION 60

#1732772042501

6076-675: The final rule, final management plan, and record of decision for designation of the sanctuary on October 11, 2024. In accordance with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act , a period of 45 days of continuous congressional followed for potential congressional review and for a final review opportunity by the Governor of California . The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries of the National Ocean Service , an element of NOAA, administers

6174-428: The first time an Indigenous tribe had nominated a national marine sanctuary for designation. In November 2021, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issued a notice of intent to begin the designation process for the sanctuary, proposing an area of about 7,600 square miles (19,700 km ) of the Pacific Ocean and a shoreline that extended for 156 miles (251 km), including coastal landmarks significant to

6272-427: The formation of the new county, with more than 80% voting no. 46.8% of Santa Barbara County voters state their political party preference is Democratic, compared to 24.9% who prefer Republicans, and 21.6% who have No Party Preference. As of 2021, each of the 8 cities have more Democrats than any other political party. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the unincorporated areas of

6370-482: The large interior region of California. Wildlife includes mountain lions , black bears , badgers , golden eagles , and the California condor . A 2023 study showed the need to improve wildlife corridors by fixing culverts to accommodate larger species such as mule deer and mountain lion. The county adopted a coastal land use plan in 1982 that was consistent with their policies and development standards to preserve

6468-515: The location of transmission cables had been approved. In September 6, 2024, NOAA released its final environmental impact statement, which outlined the results of an environmental impact assessment of the proposed sanctuary evaluating its expected environmental, social, and economic effects. After a waiting period of 30 days required by the by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, NOAA published

6566-606: The mountains, paralleling them for most of their length. Much of the mountain range is within the Los Padres National Forest , The mountains parallel the Channel Islands to the south, another east–west trending range which is a geologic extension of the Santa Monica Mountains . The Gaviota Creek watershed is the largest watershed along this coast and is the most important steelhead stream in Southern Santa Barbara County. Refugio Creek

6664-471: The mouths of rivers and along the seashore where there was an abundance of food. At least fourteen Chumash villages were located along the coastline including Qasil , Tajiguas , and Shishuchi'i' . The Spanish began colonizing Alta California with the Portolá expedition of 1769–1770. Much of the area is within several ranchos including the 1794 Spanish land grant, Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio and

6762-439: The native vegetation grow back where bulldozers had created fire lines . Situated on a narrow coastal terrace between a rugged coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains which parallels the coast along its entire length with the north end of the mountain range diverging into two low ridges, separated by Jalama Creek , which then vanish into the Pacific Ocean just before reaching Lompoc . The Santa Ynez River flows just north of

6860-615: The natural scenic beauty. The narrow coastal terrace is primarily used for recreation and cattle grazing . The lightly populated area has large ranches with much of the land held in agricultural preserves under the Williamson Act and used for avocado, lemon and other fruit orchards. Protected areas along US 101 include three public beaches with campgrounds and hiking trails: Gaviota State Park ,  El Capitán State Beach , and Refugio State Beach . There are also several private campgrounds. There are several marine protected area off

6958-516: The northern boundary of Vandenberg Space Force Base . Although the National Park Service found the area suitable with nationally significant natural and cultural resources, the study found the establishment to not be feasible due to local opposition within the approximately 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) study area and the high cost of acquiring land and operating a new park. Crude oil and natural gas produced by offshore platforms

7056-531: The pleasure of the Board, to operate the County governmental organization. The County government includes 4296 employees and a budget of $ 757 million. The County provides various services ranging from health services to law enforcement. All of Santa Barbara County is located within California's 24th congressional district , represented by Democrat Salud Carbajal . Prior to the 2012 redistricting in California,

7154-426: The population was of Mexican heritage, 0.4% Salvadoran, 0.4% Guatemalan, and 0.3% Puerto Rican descent. As of the census of 2000, there were 399,347 people, 136,622 households, and 89,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 146 people per square mile (56 people/km ). There were 142,901 housing units at an average density of 52 units per square mile (20 units/km ). The ethnic makeup of

7252-404: The potential impacts and regulations related to various alternatives for the boundaries of the sanctuary, as well as the contents of a draft management plan for the sanctuary. On August 25, 2023, NOAA released its proposal for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, publishing a notice of availability of a draft environmental impact statement , proposed rule, and draft management plan for

7350-621: The public. A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) section of the California Coastal Trail was built within Gaviota State Park. An Interim alignment for a section of the trail from Guadalupe to the state park is under study. These routes follow Chumash and Spanish Period trails. Santa Barbara County, California Santa Barbara County , officially the County of Santa Barbara ( Spanish : Condado de Santa Bárbara ),

7448-602: The ranch, has been used to supply aerial water drops. Four single residences were reported destroyed on October 16, along with two outbuildings that suffered damage. Firefighters prepared for expected higher temperatures and drier winds. The fire was fully contained on November 20. Preparations for potential mudslides, and debris flows began with a team of engineers, scientists, and geologists determining at-risk spots. Highway 101 repair projects included clearing and repairing damaged drainage culverts and installing rock netting on bare hillsides. Volunteer efforts included efforts to help

7546-430: The recent established AVA in 2020. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail features many wineries including Andrew Murray Vineyards , Fess Parker Winery and Firestone Vineyard . The Cambria Estate Winery , was featured in the 3rd episode of The Bachelor , an American reality television series, Season 15, on January 17, 2011. Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

7644-659: The rolling hills, ancient oak trees, oil fields, cattle ranches, and natural areas in the central part of the county. The county has more than 115 wineries cultivating 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) with the vast majority of the vineyards in the Central Coast American Viticultural Areas : Santa Maria Valley AVA , Santa Ynez Valley AVA , Sta. Rita Hills AVA , Happy Canyon AVA , Los Olivos District AVA and Ballard Canyon AVA . The county continues to gain AVA recognition with Alisos Canyon AVA being

7742-531: The sanctary create ecological habitats that support biological productivity. Seabirds , marine mammals , sea turtles , fishes, marine invertebrates , marine plants , and marine algae abound. Habitats, physical features, or prey attract many threatened or endangered species — such as black abalone , blue whales , leatherback sea turtles , and snowy plovers — to the sanctuary's waters. Over 400 species of fish, four species of sea turtle, six species of pinniped , and 33 species of cetacean are found in

7840-581: The sanctuary include extensive kelp forests , rocky reefs , deep-water coral gardens, sandy beaches , coastal dunes , and wetlands , the latter serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitats for many threatened and endangered species . The meeting of warm and cold ocean waters in the sanctuary, upwellings from the California Current , geologic features like Rodriguez Seamount and Santa Lucia Bank, and important biogeographic ecotones in

7938-654: The sanctuary's waters was the wooden sidewheel paddle steamer SS  Yankee Blade , wrecked off Point Arguello in 1854 while carrying passengers, cargo, and gold from San Francisco , California, to Panama , during the California Gold Rush in one of the worst maritime disasters in the history of the United States West Coast . The wreck of the United States Coast Guard cutter McCulloch also lies within

8036-462: The sanctuary's waters. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary's coast and waters hold deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for both the Chumash people and the Salinan people to their north. Coastal, ocean-going communities of Native Americans have existed in the area since prehistoric times , with evidence of settlements dating back to at least ca. 8,000 B.C. During

8134-542: The sanctuary. Both wrecks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Productive fishing grounds lie within the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Its waters also are used for economically important recreational activities and tourism . Representatives of the Chumash people began to advocate protection of the coastal and ocean waters of the Central California coast in

8232-553: The sanctuary. The documents called for the protection of a 5,617-square-mile (4,242 sq nmi; 14,548 km ) area. A two-month public comment followed, and when it concluded on October 25, 2023, NOAA had received 110,000 public comments. After considering the public comments, consulting with other United States Government agencies, the government of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians , and other interested Indigenous groups and tribes, and taking into account

8330-477: The shoreline. The marine environment has extensive kelp forests and wetlands serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitat for many threatened and endangered species. With the Mediterranean climate , the unusual abundance and diversity of wildlife includes an estimated 1,400 plant and animal species. The Santa Ynez Mountains are a migration corridor for wildlife from

8428-437: The south county, while areas in the north county have continued to grow at a faster rate. The county is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors. The Board's three-vote majority has shifted over the years between the north and south. The Board now includes two members from South County, two members from North County, and one member from Mid-County. The Board of Supervisors appoints a County Executive Officer, who serves at

8526-480: The southern part of the county. Southern Santa Barbara County is sometimes considered the cultural boundary of Southern California / Northern California . The Santa Barbara County area, including the Northern Channel Islands , was first settled by Native Americans at least 13,000 years ago. Evidence for a Paleoindian presence has been found in the form of a fluted Clovis -like point found in

8624-516: The state. In its early days, the department battled outlaws Salomon Pico and Jack Powers . Initially having a single Sheriff, aided only by a jailer and guard in charge of the chain gang, the department now has over 600 full-time employees. The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. Oil production began in 1886 with drilling in Summerland. Enormous oil fields such as

8722-411: The summit of the Santa Ynez Mountains towards the Tajiguas Landfill. Gusting winds up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) prevented the dispatch of aircraft that were at the ready. Critically low fuel moisture resulted in very extreme fire behavior during the first two nights. The next day as winds turned more favorable, tanker jets created fire breaks by dispersing fire retardant . Throughout each day,

8820-646: The third-largest sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary program. It lies in the Pacific Ocean off the Central Coast of California . It is located along the coast of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, stretching for 116 miles (187 km) from just south of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County southward to Naples Reef on the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. Cities directly along

8918-529: The turnaround was quick as ground crews reloaded the aircraft at the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base . After the fire crossed Route 101 to Tajiguas Beach , it expanded east and west and kept the highway closed for over three days. Commuter and long-distance rail service were also suspended during that period. The state beaches, Gaviota, Refugio, and El Capitán, closed as the firefighters used them for housing, access, and staging. The fire burned

9016-432: The voters the measure would ban "high-intensity petroleum operations" in the county. The city of Santa Barbara and other coastal communities support a significant tourism economy. White-collar jobs, previously with an emphasis in aerospace but more recently in software and other high-tech pursuits are encouraged by proximity to the University of California, Santa Barbara . Vandenberg Space Force Base has traditionally had

9114-524: The winter months. The area experiences nearly all of its rainfall during the winter months, and rarely sees any rain at all during the summer months. The area's dry, warm summers often lead to high wildfire danger in the fall. An example of this is the massive Thomas Fire , which started in Ventura County and rapidly spread into southern Santa Barbara County in December 2017. At the time, the fire

9212-462: Was George H. W. Bush in 1988 . There remains a distinction between the more conservative northern areas of the county, which continue to largely support Republicans, and the more liberal southern areas, which are strongly Democratic. Santa Barbara County has long been divided between competing political interests. North of the Santa Ynez Mountains , agricultural activities and oil development have long provided jobs. The northern portion also contains

9310-568: Was removed from a list of controlled substances along with other provisions of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 . These provisions were included in the 2018 Farm Bill which made hemp legal for agricultural uses. Cannabis and hemp plants have a similar look and smell making it hard to tell the difference. The first wine grapes in Santa Barbara county were planted by the missionaries associated with Mission Santa Barbara late in

9408-399: Was one of the 27 original counties of California, formed in 1850 at the time of statehood. The county's territory was later divided to create Ventura County in 1873. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 3,789 square miles (9,810 km ), of which 2,735 square miles (7,080 km ) is land and 1,054 square miles (2,730 km ) (27.8%) is water. Four of

9506-698: Was the 17th national marine sanctuary and sixth on the United States West Coast . It was designated only five weeks after the designation of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary on September 6, 2024, which in turn was the first since the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary in 2021. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary encompasses approximately 4,543 square miles (3,431 sq nmi; 11,766 km ) of ocean water and coastline, making it

9604-518: Was the largest wildfire ever to burn in California in terms of geographical size, but was topped only eight months later in the Mendocino Complex Fire in northern California. Heavy rainfall occurred the following January, causing massive mudslides and debris flows from the steep, fire-denuded hillsides. The community of Montecito was especially hard-hit. As of February 3, 2018, 21 are known dead and 2 are still missing. Air quality in

#500499