Think of Santa Barbara and sun and surf come to mind. The chief problem with living here is deciding which of the many activities to enjoy. Whether you're into water sports like swimming/surfing/sailing, hiking, or biking, Santa Barbara has it all. You can challenge yourself on one of the local bike trails, go for a day hike in the Santa Barbara foothills, be mesmerized by a monarch butterfly preserve in your own backyard, enjoy a day at the beach or attend an outdoor concert. Santa Barbara's unique mountain range with its unusual east-west orientation on the California coastline creates distinctive microclimates that create a mild, desirable climate.

Exploring the surrounding communities, you can experience the thrill of a zipline, go horseback riding, feel the wind in your face as you skydive, explore a local coffee plantation developed with help from a UCSB alumni, or find out what the Channel Islands have to offer. The possibilities are endless.