SANTA BARBARA

city, seat of Santa Barbara county, southwestern California, U.S. It lies along the Pacific coast at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, facing the Santa Barbara Channel. It is situated 97 miles (156 km) northwest of Los Angeles. Because it is protected to the south by the Santa Barbara Islands and to the north by the mountains, Santa Barbara has a mild climate throughout the year. It was named for the patron saint of mariners by Sebastin Vizcano in 1602. A presidio (military post) was established there in 1782 and the mission of Santa Barbara in 1786, and a port and agricultural market subsequently developed. The mission, which is western headquarters of the Franciscan Order, has been in continuous use since its founding. John Charles Frmont raised the U.S. flag at the presidio in 1846, and the city was incorporated in 1850. Following the arrival (1887) of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Santa Barbara was promoted as a seaside resort and developed an economy based on tourism, the raising of citrus fruit and cattle, and the production of petroleum. After the 1925 earthquake, many buildings were restored in Spanish Colonial style; the city's adobe character is preserved by law. Westmont College was founded in 1940, Santa Barbara City (junior) College was established in 1946, and the University of California at Santa Barbara (founded as a private school in 1891) was organized in 1944. The city is the headquarters for Los Padres National Forest. Pop. (1992 est.) city, 88,753; Santa BarbaraSanta MariaLompoc MSA, 383,348.