Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria
Where BBQ smoke meets vineyard dreams
About Santa Maria
Santa Maria's legendary tri-tip barbecue fills the air with smoky perfection while world-class Pinot Noir vineyards stretch toward rolling hills. This authentic working town serves up the Central Coast's most famous culinary tradition at places like Far Western Tavern, where cowboys and wine lovers share the same tables. Beyond the iconic red oak pits, discover the enchanting Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes and a Main Street that feels refreshingly real.
Upcoming Events & Nearby
All eventsPaint Nite Brand Creative Events
La Katrina
musicPismo BeachClarion w/ special guest Novulent
SLO Brew Rock
communityPismo BeachCal Poly Mustangs Womens Volleyball vs. Utah Valley State Wolverines Womens Volleyball
Mott Athletics Center
musicPismo BeachEvan Honer
Fremont Theater
communityPismo BeachCal Poly Mustangs Womens Volleyball vs. Sacramento State Hornets Womens Volleyball
Mott Athletics Center
musicPismo BeachBombargo
SLO Brew Rock
musicPismo BeachBingo Loco - Ages 21+
Fremont Theater
musicPismo BeachPsychedelic Furs
Fremont Theater
musicPismo BeachJake Shimabukuro - Holidays In Hawai'i
Fremont Theater
musicPismo BeachPunchis Banda Rave
Fremont Theater
Leftover Crack
SLO Brew Rock
artsPismo BeachBecky Robinson
Fremont Theater
Local Businesses
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Professional ServicesGZOO Digital LLC
convenience76
740, East Donovan Road, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
farmGrowing Grounds Farm
wineryWhite Hills Vineyard
8385, Graciosa Road, Santa Maria, CA, 93455
alcoholL&K Liquor
convenienceSpeedway
1144, West Main Street, Santa Maria, CA, 93458
convenienceBoone Street Market
second_handGoodwill
convenience7 Stars Food Store
Latest News in Santa Maria
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Santa Maria‘Benign neglect’: Unmaintained vegetation on a portion of Zaca Creek raises flood risk concerns
Buellton neighbors, have you noticed the thick brush along that stretch of Zaca Creek? With storm season on the horizon, Mayor David Silva is asking a fair question: whose ditch is it, anyway? The Santa Maria Sun reports that city staff are being pressed to confirm jurisdiction over the vacant channel, which has flooded in recent storms. It's the kind of quiet civic puzzle that can turn into a real headache when the rain arrives. 'Benign neglect' is the phrase floating around, and it stings because we know what unmaintained vegetation does to a creek's flow. Buellton sits right in our 805 backyard, and when water backs up there, we all feel it downstream. Whether you're in Santa Maria or Solvang, flood risk doesn't check city limits. So here's hoping the city gets a straight answer on who's responsible and that the brush gets cleared before the first big storm. Keep an eye on this one, neighbors. It's local government at its most practical, and it matters.
Santa MariaFeds asks Santa Barbara County for 180 residents’ confidential voter info
Santa Barbara County voters, we need to pay attention to this one. The feds are asking for the confidential voter information of 180 residents they claim are 'likely aliens' registered to vote. This isn't just a Santa Barbara issue—it's a Central Coast issue, and it touches on some big questions about privacy and who gets to see our personal data. The Santa Maria Sun broke the story, and it's the kind of news that should make us all stop and think about how our information is handled. Whether you're in Santa Maria or anywhere else in the 805, this is about trust. Our county elections office holds some of our most sensitive info, and when the Department of Justice comes knocking, we deserve to know why and what safeguards are in place. It's a reminder that local journalism like the Sun's matters—they're asking the questions we'd want answered. Keep an eye on this one, neighbors. It could set a precedent for how voter data is treated across the state.
Santa MariaMixed-use development is unanimously approved for a vacant Lompoc lot
Lompoc just took a real step toward filling a long-empty gap on South J Street. Planning commissioners voted 4-0 in October to approve a four-story mixed-use complex, with Commissioner Brandon Bridge absent. That means future tenants will live less than a block from Old Town Lompoc — a short walk to the shops, restaurants, and small-town rhythm so many of us already love. For Santa Maria readers who know the Central Coast's housing squeeze, this matters. Mixed-use projects like this one put homes and commercial space in the same footprint, which can mean more foot traffic for nearby businesses and less pressure to build outward. It's the kind of infill that keeps a downtown alive rather than just busy on paper. The Santa Maria Sun flagged the unanimous approval, and it's worth watching how the project takes shape. Old Town Lompoc has been quietly building momentum, and a four-story neighbor on a vacant lot is the sort of change that shifts a block's daily feel. We'll be keeping an eye on what comes next.