The city of Santa Barbara is located like a jewel in the low coastal valley between the Santa Ynez Mountain range to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. This combination of terrain and ocean brings tropical trade winds and moisture, keeping plants well watered and flowers blooming all year long. Santa Barbara has long been considered one of California's prime destinations for tourists, art lovers and surfers. Living in Santa Barbara is a rare combination of small town charm and big city advantages. Few cities offer so many cultural opportunities. Annual events include Old Spanish Days, the Summer Soltice Parade, the prestigious Writers Conference, an Arts Festival, and a summer ethnic festival season that celebrates the cultural diversity of our population. The city seems filled with art. There is the Santa Barbara Symphony, Civic Light Opera, Access Theater and Chamber Orchestra, plus more than 100 art galleries and bookstores. The University of California, Santa Barbara, located 12 miles to the west in Goleta, gives the metro area an air of sophistication that contradicts its small size.