Nestled in lush hills stretching
for miles along California's Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley's
fertile land has a long, rich history that includes prominent
agricultural endeavors and temperate weather. The region is filled
with thousands of self-made men and women who have simply believed
in something and pursued it. Farmers, restaurant owners, Realtors,
Mexican immigrants laboring the fields and brilliant engineers
working in the space industry have ventured forth and made great
contributions in large and small ways.
Central Coast California
and Santa Maria offer a striking portrait of diversity. From
wealthy movie stars, world class musicians such as Michael Jackson
and millionaire magnates to farm workers picking the crops of
broccoli, peas and strawberries, all people share the beauty of
gently flowing hills that change with the seasons from green to
gold. All people enjoy the fresh produce afforded those who live
close to the land where it grows. All can afford and enjoy the
wine from grapes grown in the valley. Napa and Sonoma have turned
to the Central Coast and wisely purchased many of the grapes and
resultant products for enrichment of their lines of wines.
While the Valley is spectacular for
its beauty and weather, it has become an oasis that combines the
best of country living with the finer things urbanites seek. City
dwellers have taken an interest in the region and are buying land
quickly. From San Jose/Silicon Valley to San Fernando Valley, Los
Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, weekend travelers journey to
visit and investigate the possibilities of settling in this
paradise. It takes only five minutes to drive from Santa Maria off
the beaten paths and find yourself exploring country roads with
loads of wineries and farms, little towns and old time charm not
seen in the city.
There's no need to sacrifice
conveniences, however. Costco, Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx,
Walmart, Home Depot, Home Base, Linens N Things and department
stores such as Robinson May Co. are located in Santa Maria.
15 minutes North on the
Interstate Highway 101 that runs through the middle of
the city of Santa Maria is Pismo Outlet with name brand
discount clothing, kitchen, shoe, fragrance, paper, leather goods
and book shops. Trader Joes and Starbucks Coffee are also there.
30 minutes north of Santa Maria is the college community of San
Luis Obispo where dozens of great shops and restaurants offer
unique one-of-a-kind items and youthful styles. 30 minutes
south of Santa Maria is the Danish village of Solvang and 70
minutes south is Santa Barbara, one of California's most charming
cities with a shopping district on State Street that stretches for
approximately one mile.
In Santa Maria, chain food
restaurants include Olive Garden, Marie Calendars, Red Lobster and
a local favorite found on many street corners on weekends,
barbecue meats and tri-tip beef cooked outdoors over oak wood pits
Santa Maria style. You'll find it sold at various parking lots
along Broadway Street on Fridays and Saturdays. What a treat!
Vegetarians need not stress out. If you get a chance to look at
the shipping boxes for many of your vegetables found in Los
Angeles, they will say "Santa Maria, California." When
you buy veggies in Santa Maria, you are getting them fresh from
the fields.
What do you do for a vacation
there? After you have toured the wineries, played some golf and
seen the city, use Santa Maria as a home base for day trips to
surrounding spots such as Hearst's Castle in San Simeon, Solvang,
Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Lompoc and San Luis Obispo.
Santa Maria valley is comprised of
the cities of Santa Maria and Orcutt which have a combined
population of over 100,000 people, making this one of the largest
metropolitan areas in Central California. Situated half way
between Los Angeles to the south and San Jose - San Francisco to
the north, both are about a 3-hour drive by car on US Highway 101.
The region is also accessible by commuter prop jets which fly into
Santa Maria Airport in less than an hour, or by Amtrak train or
Greyhound Bus.
Temperate climate, blue skies and a
small town feel just 11 miles from the ocean make this a highly
desired destination. On the northernmost border of Santa Barbara
County, pop music star Michael Jackson, actor Jonathan
Winters and too many celebs to count, own ranch homes, mansions
and estates in Santa Barbara County.
Foxen Winery in Santa Maria.