Santa Maria

BBQ Capital of California

  Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California. The 2010 census population was 100,062, putting it ahead of Santa Barbara (the county seat) for the first time and making it the largest city in the county. The estimated population of the area is 161,227, which includes the Santa Maria Valley, the city of Guadalupe and the unincorporated township of Orcutt. The city is notable for its wine industry and Santa Maria Style Barbecue.

  Strwaberry Farms

The Santa Maria Valley’s vast agricultural heritage is represented by many crops, the most colorful of which are strawberries. The region’s uniquely moderate coastal climate is a perfect match for this fragile berry, with warm winters and cool summers that support an extended growing season of up to 10 months per year. Santa Maria produces over 20 million trays of strawberries annually which are distributed both domestically and internationally. 

  Strawberry Salmon            Strawberry shortcake cookies