Where is Santa Maria, California Located in the United States? - Santa Maria is a city located in the Santa Barbara County in California, United States. Santa Maria lies between 34.953 Degrees North latitudes and -120.4357 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, California
About Map: The map shows the location of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County, in the U.S. state of California.
Santa Maria Map, California, USA
About Santa Maria Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.
About Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Maria is located in Santa Barbara County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States within the Santa Maria Valley near the Central Coast region. The city was incorporated in 1905 and was named after the Spanish land grant Rancho Punta de Laguna, and it developed as an agricultural and oil-producing center that continues to serve as a regional commercial hub.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Santa Maria is 109,707 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 4,800 people per square mile.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Santa Maria covers a total area of approximately 22.4 square miles (about 58.0 square kilometers), including about 22.3 square miles (57.8 square kilometers) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 square kilometers) of water.
Location and Surroundings
Santa Maria is situated northwest of Santa Barbara and south of San Luis Obispo, positioned near the Pacific coastline of California’s Central Coast. The city features flat valley terrain surrounded by coastal hills and agricultural fields known for wine production and farming. U.S. Route 101 runs through Santa Maria, providing major north–south highway access along the California coast.
Top Attractions
Santa Maria offers parks, cultural sites, and access to nearby beaches and vineyards that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, Waller Park, and local wineries in the surrounding valley. The city is also home to Allan Hancock College, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.
Transportation
Santa Maria is served by U.S. Route 101, connecting the city to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and other Central Coast communities. Public transportation includes regional bus services and rail connections available in nearby cities. The nearest airport is Santa Maria Public Airport, which provides regional flight services.
Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Santa Maria City Website.
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Santa Maria, California Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Santa Maria |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 34.9530° N |
| Longitude | 120.4357° W |
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Land Area | 22.42 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.00 sq mi |
| Total Area | 22.42 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 109,707 |
| Population Density | 4,893 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 93454, 93455, 93458 |
| Area Code | 805 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8 |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-69196 |
| Congressional District | California's 24th Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Santa Maria, California
| Transportation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Santa Maria Public Airport |
| IATA Code | SMX |
| Port | Port San Luis (Regional Access) |
| Major Highways | U.S. Highway 101, State Route 135, State Route 166 |
| Train Service | Amtrak Thruway bus connections; nearby rail service through San Luis Obispo |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) |
- U.S. Highway 101: Main north-south highway connecting Santa Maria with Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Central Coast communities.
- State Route 135: Provides access between Santa Maria and Los Alamos areas.
- State Route 166: Connects the city with inland areas of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
- Santa Maria Public Airport: Provides general aviation and regional air services.
Top Places to Visit in Santa Maria, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum | Children's Museum |
| Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum | History Museum |
| Santa Maria Fairpark | Event and Recreation Venue |
| Preisker Park | Community Park |
| Waller Park | Park and Recreation Area |
| Rancho Nipomo Dana Adobe | Historic Landmark |
| Foxen Canyon Wine Trail | Wine and Scenic Area |
| Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge | Nature Preserve |
| Santa Maria Elks Rodeo | Cultural Event Venue |
| Pacific Conservatory Theatre | Performing Arts Venue |
Driving Distances from Santa Maria, California to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | California | 30 mi | 40 minutes |
| Pismo Beach | California | 30 mi | 40 minutes |
| Santa Barbara | California | 75 mi | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Lompoc | California | 30 mi | 40 minutes |
| Solvang | California | 35 mi | 45 minutes |
| Ventura | California | 110 mi | 2 hours |
| Santa Cruz | California | 170 mi | 3 hours |
| Los Angeles | California | 160 mi | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Fresno | California | 150 mi | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| San Diego | California | 245 mi | 4 hours 30 minutes |
Colleges and Universities Near Santa Maria, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Hancock College | Public | Community College | Career education, agriculture, technology, arts, and transfer programs |
| California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | Public | University | Engineering, architecture, agriculture, business, and applied sciences |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Public | University | Research, engineering, sciences, environmental studies, and humanities |
| Westmont College | Private | College | Liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs |
| Santa Maria-Bonita School District | Public | K–12 District | Primary and secondary education |
Waterbodies Near Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria River, Orcutt Creek, Twitchell Reservoir, Pacific Ocean, and nearby coastal waterways throughout Santa Barbara County.
Golf Courses Near Santa Maria
Santa Maria Country Club, Rancho Maria Golf Club, Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Nipomo Community Golf Course, and La Purisima Golf Course.
Santa Maria, California — Key Historical Facts
- The Santa Maria Valley was originally inhabited by the Chumash Native American people.
- The area developed through ranching, agriculture, and farming after Spanish and Mexican settlement periods.
- Santa Maria became known for its agricultural production, especially strawberries, vegetables, and wine grapes.
- The city was incorporated in 1905 and grew as an important community in northern Santa Barbara County.
- Santa Maria is recognized as the birthplace of Santa Maria-style barbecue, a regional culinary tradition.
- Today, Santa Maria is known for agriculture, vineyards, cultural events, and its location along California’s Central Coast.
Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near Santa Maria
| Facility Name | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria High School Stadium | High School Sports Stadium | Santa Maria, California |
| Righetti High School Warrior Stadium | High School Sports Stadium | Santa Maria, California |
| Allan Hancock College Sports Facilities | College Sports Facility | Santa Maria, California |
| Hancock Sports Complex | Community and College Recreation Facility | Santa Maria, California |
| Harder Stadium | College Soccer Stadium | Santa Barbara, California |
References
- City of Santa Maria Official Website
- Santa Barbara County Government
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Visit California Tourism
- Allan Hancock College
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