Summerland, California

When Summerland was founded as a Spiritualist colony in 1889, terraced streets lined with small lots that sold for $25 apiece. The newcomers built a temple where they hold séances & contacted spirits, assisted by mediums who could communicate with departed friends and relatives.

Summerland is a relaxed, tiny, hillside community reminiscent of a New England village nestled on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You won't want to miss the many antique stores that line Lillie Ave, the main street of Summerland.

Summerland's population was 1,545 at the 2000 census.

Located east of Santa Barbara directly on the coast and northwest of the city of Carpinteria , almost entirely surrounded by Montecito.

Summerland has a significantly higher population density than the surrounding area.

The city is famous for being home of Santa Claus Lane, named after a giant Santa Claus bust that overlooked the US101. Santa was removed in 2003 after being in place for more than fifty years. The bust was not destroyed, but was placed in an emptied lot in the town of Oxnard , several miles south of Santa Claus Lane .

Map of Summerland: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.421395,-119.595969&spn=0.11,0.18

Satellite photo: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.421395,-119.595969&spn=0.11,0.18&t=h

Carpinteria, California

Just down the coast from Summerland is Carpinteria, California. Legend has it that the city got its name from the Spaniards who saw the Chumash Indians busy building the large ocean-going canoes called tomols and called it the 'carpenter shop' - La Carpinteria.

Carpinteria is a peaceful, seaside city in a small town. Carp, as the locals call it, is situated along the only Southern facing stretch of coastline in California. The climate never gets too cold or too hot. The city sits on a thin strip of fertile land nestled between the mountains & the ocean & is unique in its diversity. Carpinteria State Beach Park offers overnight camping & the best surf-fishing & tide-pooling for miles. Even as many of the surrounding communities become more residential or more business or more tourist oriented, Carpinteria has retained all of the things that make a community a community.