2015 Map of Santa Barbara

About this map

Santa Barbara and the wealthy enclave of Montecito sit at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains in this modern survey. The coastal geography is defined by a series of south-flowing drainages including Mission Creek, Sycamore Creek, and Arroyo Burro. The landscape transitions abruptly from the dense urban grid and institutional campuses like Westmont College and Antioch University Santa Barbara to the protected wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest. High peaks such as La Cumbre Peak and Montecito Peak overlook the shoreline, where prominent points like Point Castillo and Edgecliff Point frame the city's famous beaches. Infrastructure such as the Santa Barbara Water Tunnel and reservoirs like Sheffield Reservoir indicate the complex water management required for this Mediterranean climate.