Summerland guide

Summerland can be recognized by it's colorful, hillside buildings with the most recognizable Big Yellow House restaurant.  The restaurant is visible from the Interstate-101 freeway.  You can catch weekly games at the polo fields or stop to eat or play at the beach.  Shopping for antiques is a popular pastime as well.  Some of the surrounding areas are Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria.

Summerland is only a few miles from Santa Barbara where you can find many places such as the historic Mission Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara Zoo, and Stearns Wharf.  In and around the area are avenues lined by shops, cafes, restaurants, and Mediterranean village style shopping venues.

View houses for sale in Summerland.

See also Montecito Real Estate, Santa Barbara Real Estate, more Santa Barbara County Real Estate.

Summerland's sub-tropical weather, and south-facing waters typically don't have a large surf, therefore making it perfect for jet skiing, sea kayaking, and scuba diving.  Summerland encourages the outdoor lifestyle with golfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and surfing.

View websites in Summerland of things and places to shop.

Community college districts

• Allan Hancock Joint Community College District
  800 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  (805) 922-6966 FAX - (805) 928-7905
  Superintendent: Dr. Ann Foxworthy
  Enrollment: 10,209
• Santa Barbara Community College District
  721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
  (805) 965-0581 FAX - (805) 963-7222
  Superintendent: John B. Romo
  Enrollment: 12,341

Summerland has a so-called Mediterranean climate.  It's gorgeous weather rarely exceeds a daily 60-80 degree temperature, therefore leaving Summerland with neither too hot nor too cold of weather.  Summerland's weather is ideal for living, working, and playing!

Founded in 1889 by rancher Harry L. Williams, the town attracted a unique population as this man with an interest in the supernatural invited others to join him. The Big Yellow House which, like many original buildings in town rumored to have ghosts, was built in 1884 as the founder's personal residence.

An oil boom quickly turned the beachside community into an eyesore as drilling operations and derricks took over in 1896. The town's Miramar Beach regained its scenic beauty as the oil played out and operations moved offshore to the many platforms visibly stretching along the coastline today.

Summerland now proudly sports itself as a town with a unique history. Numerous antique stores befit a community founded on the premise that ghosts and spirits live. Below is a list of antique dealers who set up shop in Summerland.