You and Your Family

Located 150 miles north of Los Angeles and 250 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Maria is nestled in the heart of California's picturesque Central Coast wine country. Only 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Santa Maria is one of the best places in the world to call home.

Residents enjoy a year-round average temperature in the 70s, the beauty of nearby beaches and rolling foothills, and a safe and comfortable lifestyle free from the traffic congestion and smog of our big-city neighbors to the north and south. Further, a stable economic base has ensured Santa Maria's standing as an agricultural, regional trading, manufacturing and service center. Parks, fine schools, and a strong community spirit make Santa Maria an ideal place for families.

Those looking for outdoor recreation can choose to golf on one of 20 courses in the area; camp, hike or bike on the slopes of Figueroa Mountain; or take a walk through the Rancho Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve, a spectacular area with beach dunes towering at 500 feet. Other attractions include swimming, surfing or relaxing at nearby beaches and kayaking and windsurfing at neighboring Pismo Beach and Lopez Lake.