About Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Mission
Did you Know?
The Santa Barbara Mission dates back to the 18th century and is the only Franciscan mission that’s been continuously operated since 1786. Also known as Queen of the Missions, the church was founded to convert the indigenous Chumash tribe to Catholicism and is the only mission with twin bell towers.
President Ronald Reagan owned a ranch in nearby Solvang and President John Kennedy and his wife Jackie Kennedy spent their honeymoon in Montecito at the San Ysidro ranch.
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is just 30 minutes from Santa Barbara and Pop superstar Katy Perry was born in Santa Barbara in 1984. Surfing legends Pat Curren, Tom Curren, and Kelly Slater also lived in Santa Barbara.
TV History
"Santa Barbara"
The soap opera called “Santa Barbara” aired on TV from July 30, 1984, to January 15, 1993. Actors Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow and musician Jack Johnson attended University of California Santa Barbara. Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Jim Carey, Sandra Bullock and Halle Berry all got married in Santa Barbara.
Flying "A" Studios
Santa Barbara Film History
In August 1912, The American Film Manufacturing Company, also known as Flying “A” Studios established its motion picture western branch in Santa Barbara, producing nearly one thousand silent films before closing in 1921.
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1812 & 1925
Lobero Theatre
1970