Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Santa Maria Valley?
A: Located within California’s beautiful Central Coast Wine Country, the Santa Maria Valley is one of our nation's premier wine regions. Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, attendees from either region will drive approximately 3 hours to get to the Santa Maria Valley via Highway 101 or Highway 1. It’s a peaceful, scenic drive from both directions.
Q: How do I get to there?
A: We are accessible via Highways 1, 101 and 166. The Santa Maria Public Airport , is located 10 minutes from the heart of town, providing daily scheduled flights to and from Los Angeles, with connecting flights worldwide. Airport service is provided by United Express and Sun West Aviation. Nearby Santa Barbara Airport is only 68 miles south of Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is 28 miles north of Santa Maria. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is an option for those who prefer to travel by rail. Greyhound Bus serves the Santa Maria Valley with six northbound and five southbound trips scheduled daily.
Q: Do you have a visitor center?
A: Yes! The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau is located at 614 S. Broadway in Santa Maria, California. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our professional and highly trained staff and volunteers will help you get the most from your visit to the Santa Maria Valley. We have current information on special events, attractions, dining and hotels as well as Santa Maria City maps, wine touring maps and farm touring maps. These items are available to you free of charge.
Q: What is the population of the area?
A: Since 1957, the population of the City of Santa Maria has more than doubled. It now stands at more than 91,000, with more people deciding to make the City their home every day, thanks to some of the most affordable housing prices on the Central Coast. The number of people living in the Santa Maria Valley, which includes the unincorporated Orcutt area and the city of Guadalupe, is over 127,000. For most of the 20th Century, the City's area remained roughly four square miles. Annexations beginning in August 1954 have increased the city's physical size to slightly over 20 square miles.
Q: Are you an All-America City?
A: Yes, in 1998, Santa Maria was chosen to receive the prestigious national All-America City Award. The All-America City Award is America's original and most prestigious community recognition award. For over 53 years the All-America City Award has encouraged and recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes (cities, towns, counties, neighborhoods and regions) in which community members, government, businesses and non-profit organizations work together to address critical local issues.
Q: Which California cities are closeby?
A: Enjoy daytrip outings to nearby Santa Barbara (75 miles), Solvang (36 miles), San Luis Obispo (32 miles), Pismo State Beach (22 miles) or San Simeon (73 miles).
Q: What is the largest meeting facility in the city?
A: The Santa Maria Fairpark, featuring a convention center and four other meeting rooms.
Q: How many hotel rooms are in your city?
A: There are over 1,000.
Q: What is the bed tax in the Santa Maria Valley?
A: Hotel rates are nightly plus 10 percent bed tax.
Q: What is the sales tax?
A: Santa Maria Valley sales tax is 7.75%.
Q: What types of restaurants are available in your city?
A: The Santa Maria Valley is famous for its barbecue. Whether you prefer to enjoy a feast of Santa Maria Style Barbecue at a world famous steak house, or prefer the convenience of stopping by a street-side weekend barbecue along Broadway, you’ll join the ranks of thousands who flock here to experience this exquisite cuisine!
Q: What is your weather like?
A: Located 12 miles from the Pacific coastline, Santa Maria enjoys a smog-free climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. Ocean breezes cool the valley in the summer and warm it in the winter. We enjoy mild weather with clear, sunny skies and a light breeze, ideal for meetings and vacations. The average temperature ranges in the 60s-70s year-round. Attire is generally casual for daytime and most evening events. A sweater or lightweight jacket is suggested for evenings, with heavier coats advisable for November through March.
Q: Which industries are found in the Santa Maria Valley?
A: The City of Santa Maria is a regional trading, manufacturing and service center. Our area has a stable economic base which includes agriculture, transportation, oil, tourism, electronic manufacturing and the government installation at nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, the largest employer in the area.
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