Santa Barbara is often referred to as the “American Riviera” and with good reason. Situated in the hills on a south-facing section of the California coast, Santa Barbara is known for its stunning scenery, unique history, beautiful beaches, and laid-back, eclectic vibe. It’s a city with no shortage of things to see and do, and a thriving LGBTQ community as well. Truly, Santa Barbara would be a wonderful place to call home!
A Look at Santa Barbara’s History
Various Native American tribes inhabited the area that is now Santa Barbara for over 13,000 years, prior to the beginning of its modern-day history. That began in 1733, when the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino traveled through the channel between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands in December of 1602 on St. Barbara’s feast day, hence the name of the city. The Spanish established settlements and missions in the area, and in fact, the Franciscan mission established in the area by the Spanish is the oldest continually operating mission in the United States. After California became part of the United States, the area continued to grow, eventually becoming one of the first cities integral to the growth of Hollywood, and particularly the early silent film industry. Today, Santa Barbara remains a very artistically-focused city, and a beautiful one, drawing tourists from around the country and the world each year. It is a city that offers much to see and do, for visitors and residents alike.
A Few Fun Facts About Santa Barbara
Read more fun facts about Santa Barbara here.
Santa Barbara’s LGBTQ Community
Santa Barbara is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Santa Barbara is the city’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The Pacific Pride Foundation is a non-profit community-based group serving the greater Santa Barbara area. Its goal is to provide resources, support, event planning, and advocacy for Santa Barbara’s LGBTQ community, and it is truly a wonderful place to get connected, feel supported, and engage with friends, supporters, and allies around you.
What's the Weather Like in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara is a city known for its wonderful weather, and a quick look at its weather stats proves that this is true. The area has mild temperatures year-round, with highs rarely reaching above the mid-70s, and lows rarely dropping below the mid-40s. Santa Barbara receives around 19 inches of rainfall each year and no snow. For those who love sunny days, there are plenty of them – an average of 283 each year, in fact, which is considerably more than the national average.
Can’t-Miss Events in Santa Barbara
The Pacific Pride Foundation's Pacific Pride Festival is a wonderful celebration of the area’s LGBTQ community each year. The celebration is free to the public and attracts a large diverse crowd of thousands each year. The festival typically includes an excellent line-up of live entertainment local food, informative non-profits, family-friendly activities, and community member support. It’s one event each year that you won’t want to miss!
The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade is a unique yearly Santa Barbara tradition that you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. Since 1974, the city has been enjoying this celebration, which includes an incredible parade, and an excellent line-up of live performances throughout the weekend. The event draws crowds by the thousands each year and is definitely a must-try experience for anyone living in Santa Barbara.
Where to Live in Santa Barbara
Unlike some larger cities that have one specific LGBTQ-area or “gayborhood,” Santa Barbara’s LGBTQ community tends to be a bit more spread out across the city. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from, however! Neighborhoods across the city are known for a stunning mix of Spanish and Mexican architecture, and there are a wide variety of unique housing options to choose from. Buyers should be aware, however, that living in Santa Barbara can be expensive – in fact, the cost of living is generally higher than that of larger cities like New York. If you can afford it, however, moving to Santa Barbara is well worth it, as there is plenty to love about living here! The current median home value of homes in Santa Barbara is approximately $1.3 million.
Arts and Entertainment
The Santa Barbara Symphony is an experience you won’t want to miss if you love classical music, or simply good music generally. For years, the symphony has been inspiring and entertaining Santa Barbara residents and visitors alike, and with multiple performances throughout the year, there are many opportunities to enjoy all that the symphony has to offer.
The Lobero Theatre is the oldest continually operating theater in California. Throughout the year, a wide variety of performances are available – whether you enjoy music, drama, stand-up comedy, dancing, or a mixture of all of these, everyone is sure to find something they’ll enjoy here.
Parks and Recreation
Santa Barbara is a very “green” city, with many gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces to enjoy. A couple of those spaces include:
Santa Barbara has so many wonderful beaches that it would be hard to choose just one! Whether Arroyo Burro Beach, Butterfly Beach, East Beach, Summerland Beach, or one of many others, whatever space you choose will be a great spot to enjoy surf and sand on a beautiful Santa Barbara day.
Stearn’s Wharf, located on the harbor, is a great place to spend a day out in Santa Barbara. There’s plenty to see and do here, from restaurants to a fresh shellfish market, to plenty of shopping and other entertainment.
Santa Barbara Nightlife
Most of Santa Barbara’s nightlife is located downtown. Two of the most popular nightspots are:
Although not specifically a “gay” bar, The Matrix is a wonderful spot for dancing and fun on a night out. The Matrix is also a sponsor of the annual Santa Barbara Gay Pride festival and is also an occasional host of other LGBTQ-related parties in town.
Santa Barbara’s Wildcat Lounge has long cultivated a significant LGBTQ following, particularly on Sunday nights when its dance floor is quite lively. The lounge is known for its cozy, comfortable seating, excellent DJs, live bands, and excellent cocktail menu.
Contact a Santa Barbara Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Santa Barbara, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Santa Barbara, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Santa Barbara gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
