Due to its resemblance to the slopes along the coasts of Italy and France, Santa Barbara is often referred to as the American Riviera.

This city is widely known for its famed coastline, red Spanish tile rooftops, bright white stucco buildings, tropical gardens and luxurious estates set against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Vibrant, distinctive communities dot the landscape with neighborhoods such as the Riviera, Mission Canyon, the Mesa, the Waterfront, Samarkand, Downtown and San Roque. This world-famous city is known for its beauty, small town feel, Mediterranean climate and laid back atmosphere. The area offers a distinguished public and private school system as well as top-notch secondary educational institutions including the University of California Santa Barbara and the highly acclaimed Santa Barbara City College. A city rich in culture, Santa Barbara offers its own Opera Company, Symphony Orchestra, several theater companies and a constant array of performers and lecturers at the historic Arlington Theater, Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara Bowl, the Granada Theater and the annual, star-studded Santa Barbara Film Festival. In addition to the entertainment and sporting life (golf, sailing, hiking, climbing, swimming, surfing, etc.) this is a town where there are Farmer’s Markets five days a week offering fresh vegetables, fruits, organic locally raised meat, cheeses and flowers galore and glorious gardens open to the public. Special events during the year include the annual Summer Solstice celebration in June and Fiesta week in the beginning of August.  Finally, Santa Barbara has just spent millions of dollars on a renovation and additional construction of the Cottage Hospital system where highly qualified specialists and well-trained nursing staff can keep locals healthy and well.