Join Free

1940s Maps of Santa Barbara County, California

Explore 83 historic maps of Santa Barbara County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Santa Barbara County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Santa Barbara County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Santa Barbara County, CA maps

(83)
  1. 1941 Map of Ventura
    1941 Map of Ventura
    1941 Ventura
    1941 Print · USGS
    Coastal Ventura and the Ojai Valley are shown in the early 1940s, just as the region began its mid-century growth. Genealogists and historians can trace family properties like the Schafer Farm, locate the historic Matilija Hot Springs, or follow the Southern Pacific rail line.
    4 unique versions available
  4. 1941 Map of San Rafael Mtn. , 1955 Print
    1941 Map of San Rafael Mtn. , 1955 Print
    1941 San Rafael Mtn.
    1955 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County’s backcountry comes into focus during the early 1940s, showing a rugged landscape of high peaks and river-valley ranches. Researchers can locate remote sites like the Redrock Quicksilver Mine and Rancho San Fernando Rey or trace the route to Cold Spring Tavern.
    3 unique versions available
  7. 1941 Map of Caliente Mountain, 1956 Print
    1941 Map of Caliente Mountain, 1956 Print
    1941 Caliente Mountain
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Carrizo Plain and its surrounding mountain ranges are captured here in the early 1940s, documenting a landscape of remote cattle ranches and high desert basins. Researchers can trace the legacy of family holdings like Spanish Ranch and Washburn Ranch or locate natural features such as Soda Lake and Painted Rock.
  10. 1941 Map of McPherson Peak, 1956 Print
    1941 Map of McPherson Peak, 1956 Print
    1941 McPherson Peak
    1956 Print · USGS
    The northern Santa Barbara backcountry is seen here in the early 1940s, highlighting the transition from the Cuyama River valley into the high Sierra Madres. Researchers can locate remote ranch sites and forest landmarks such as Hinsdale Ranch, the Wasioja Sch, and the Hurricane Deck ridge.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1942 Map of Point Arguello
    1942 Map of Point Arguello
    1942 Point Arguello
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara coast during the early years of the war reveals a landscape of rugged canyons and vital rail connections. Researchers can trace the early ranching and school districts at Artesia Sch and Lynden Sch, or explore coastal operations at Lompoc Landing.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1942 Map of Guadalupe
    1942 Map of Guadalupe
    1942 Guadalupe
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast during the early war years reveals a landscape of coastal rail stations and ranching canyons along the Santa Barbara shore. Researchers can trace the Southern Pacific line through Surf and Honda to find vanished spurs and schools like Lynden Sch.
  19. 1942 Map of Lompoc
    1942 Map of Lompoc
    1942 Lompoc
    1942 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County at the start of World War II reveals a landscape of missions, ranching, and coastal rail. Researchers can trace the Pacific Coast Railroad, locate historic schools like Sisquoc Sch, and find the remote Asphaltum Mine.
  22. 1942 Map of Lompoc
    1942 Map of Lompoc
    1942 Lompoc
    1942 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County’s coastal valleys were a mix of industrial mining and historic ranching during the early 1940s. Genealogists and researchers can locate several rural schoolhouses like Maple Sch and San Julian Sch, or trace the Southern Pacific rail line.
    2 unique versions available
  25. 1942 Map of Pt. Conception
    1942 Map of Pt. Conception
    1942 Pt. Conception
    1942 Print · USGS
    Coastal Santa Barbara County appears in the early years of the war, centered on the strategic maritime and rail junction at the headlands. Researchers can trace the shoreline path of the Southern Pacific railroad past San Augustin and the notable Pt. Conception lighthouse site.
    3 unique versions available
  28. 1942 Map of Santa Maria
    1942 Map of Santa Maria
    1942 Santa Maria
    1942 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County was a hub of petroleum production and river-valley agriculture in the early 1940s. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early footprints of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Valley Oil Field, and rural stops like Bicknell and Orcutt.
  31. 1942 Map of Branch Mountain
    1942 Map of Branch Mountain
    1942 Branch Mountain
    1942 Print · USGS
    San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties meet along the high ridges and river canyons of the interior in the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace pioneer outposts like Scott Ranch and Avenales Ranch or locate the remote Pine Canyon Guard Sta.
    3 unique versions available
  34. 1942 Map of Gaviota
    1942 Map of Gaviota
    1942 Gaviota
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara coast during the early years of the war reveals a narrow corridor of railroad and ranching life between the sea and the mountains. Genealogists and researchers can trace the coastal route through Alcatraz, Tajiguas, and the strategic passage at Gaviota Pass.
  37. 1942 Map of Point Sal
    1942 Map of Point Sal
    1942 Point Sal
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara coast during the early war years is shown here in high detail, from the river valley down to the Pacific cliffs. Genealogists and researchers can trace the rail settlements at Narlon, the rural community at Casmalia, and the local Bonita Sch.
  40. 1942 Map of Goleta, 1943 Print
    1942 Map of Goleta, 1943 Print
    1942 Goleta
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara coastline in the early 1940s reveals a world of historic ranchos and coastal canyons before the post-war boom. Trace the footprints of the Corona Del Mar Rancho, Dos Pueblos Ranch, and the rail stops at Naples.
  43. 1942 Map of San Rafael Mtn. , 1945 Print
    1942 Map of San Rafael Mtn. , 1945 Print
    1942 San Rafael Mtn.
    1945 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara backcountry in the early 1940s is shown here as a network of canyon ranches and mountain fire lookouts. Genealogists and historians can trace family properties like Storke Ranch or locate the Redrock Quicksilver Mine and Cold Spring Tavern.
  46. 1942 Map of Caliente Mtn, 1952 Print
    1942 Map of Caliente Mtn, 1952 Print
    1942 Caliente Mtn
    1952 Print · USGS
    Coastal California’s interior highlands were a domain of remote ranching and seasonal water sources during the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace old homesteads like Goodwin Ranch and Spanish Ranch or locate the historic Painted Rock landmark.
    2 unique versions available
  49. 1942 Map of Tepusquet Peak, 1957 Print
    1942 Map of Tepusquet Peak, 1957 Print
    1942 Tepusquet Peak
    1957 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County ranching and rugged mountain terrain are documented here during the early war years. Researchers can trace historic property boundaries and industrial sites like Sisquoc Ranch, the Asphaltum Mine, and Rancho San Juan.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1942 Map of Los Olivos, 1958 Print
    1942 Map of Los Olivos, 1958 Print
    1942 Los Olivos
    1958 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara County’s inland ranching country is captured during the early 1940s as the Santa Ynez Valley flourished with historic estates and mission-era heritage. Genealogists and historians can trace family properties like Barnum Ranch or San Lucas Ranch and locate early landmarks such as the Santa Ynez Mission and Midland Sch.
  55. 1942 Map of Ballinger Canyon, 1958 Print
    1942 Map of Ballinger Canyon, 1958 Print
    1942 Ballinger Canyon
    1958 Print · USGS
    The high desert canyons of the California interior come to life in the early 1940s at the convergence of four county lines. Researchers can trace historic ranch sites like Klipstein Ranch and remote outposts such as Camp Dix near the Cuyama Valley floor.
  58. 1942 Map of East of Cuyama Ranch, 1959 Print
    1942 Map of East of Cuyama Ranch, 1959 Print
    1942 East of Cuyama Ranch
    1959 Print · USGS
    The Cuyama Valley at the start of the 1940s reveals a landscape of isolated ranching and early petroleum discovery. Genealogists and historians can trace family holdings like Coulter Ranch and Whitner Ranch near the Cuyama School.
  61. 1942 Map of Little Pine Mountain, 1964 Print
    1942 Map of Little Pine Mountain, 1964 Print
    1942 Little Pine Mountain
    1964 Print · USGS
    The Santa Barbara backcountry in the early 1940s is revealed as a landscape of dams, mines, and mountain outposts. Trace historic water infrastructure at Gibraltar Dam or locate the remote Quicksilver Mine and Camuesa Pk Lookout.
  64. 1943 Map of Santa Rosa Island East
    1943 Map of Santa Rosa Island East
    1943 Santa Rosa Island East
    1943 Print · USGS
    Santa Rosa Island during the early 1940s shows a maritime landscape of prominent capes and sheltered waters. Researchers can trace the coastal topography of Sierra Pablo and locate anchorage points like Beechers Bay and Skunk Point.
    3 unique versions available
  67. 1943 Map of Big Pine Mountain
    1943 Map of Big Pine Mountain
    1943 Big Pine Mountain
    1943 Print · USGS
    The San Rafael Mountains during the early 1940s reveal a high-country wilderness managed for conservation and fire protection. Researchers can trace remote forest outposts like West Big Pine Lookout, the secluded Pelch Cabin, and the early boundaries of the Condor Sanctuary.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1943 Map of San Rafael Mtn.
    1943 Map of San Rafael Mtn.
    1943 San Rafael Mtn.
    1943 Print · USGS
    Santa Barbara's interior mountains during the Second World War reveal a landscape of remote quicksilver mining and sprawling cattle ranches. Researchers can trace historic properties like Rancho San Fernando Rey and landmarks like Cold Spring Tavern or the Redrock Quicksilver Mine.
  73. 1943 Map of Los Olivos
    1943 Map of Los Olivos
    1943 Los Olivos
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Santa Ynez Valley in the early 1940s is captured here as a landscape of historic ranchos and developing townships. Researchers can trace the layout of Solvang, find the Santa Ynez Mission, and locate rural landmarks like Midland Sch and Alisal Ranch.
Showing maps 1-25 of 83

Top cities of Santa Barbara County

See more

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Santa Barbara County?
  • What is the oldest map of Santa Barbara County?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Santa Barbara County for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Santa Barbara County?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Santa Barbara County?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Santa Barbara County?
  • Where are historical maps of Santa Barbara County sourced from?