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Santa Maria, California

Located in Santa Barbara County, California, Santa Maria was established in 1875. Santa Maria-style BBQ (tri-tip over red oak) is a beloved Central Coast tradition. Vandenberg Space Force Base launches satellites and ICBMs from nearby.
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Founded 1875 | Population 113,300 | Peak 113,300 (2024) | County Santa Barbara County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Santa Maria, California

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1875 Founded: Agricultural community on Central Coast.
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1930 Oil Discovery: Santa Maria Valley oil fields developed.
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1958 Vandenberg AFB Nearby: Military space launches from nearby base.
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2005 Michael Jackson Trial: Jackson trial at Santa Maria courthouse draws worldwide media.
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2010 BBQ Capital: Santa Maria-style BBQ gains national recognition.
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Latest News in Santa Maria

May 19, 2026
This Innocent Looking Boy Grew Up To Become One Of The World’s Most Evil Men
Theodore Kaczynski showed troubling signs of anger and isolation long before authorities accused him of carrying out one of the mo…
May 6, 2026
He Had A Tough Childhood And His Dad Was A Bank Robber But Today He’s A Hollywood Star
Before he ever put on a Spider-Man suit, Tobey Maguire was fighting battles far from Hollywood red carpets and blockbuster premier…
May 4, 2026
Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out On $61,000 Over This Tough Puzzle
A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one o…
Apr 20, 2026
Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…
Apr 18, 2026
Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…
Apr 16, 2026
White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields
The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…

Complete Historical Timeline

1875 Culture
Founded
1930 Industry
Oil Discovery
1958 Government
Vandenberg AFB Nearby
2005 Culture
Michael Jackson Trial
2010 Culture
BBQ Capital

Did You Know?

1
Santa Maria-style BBQ (tri-tip over red oak) is a beloved Central Coast tradition.
2
Vandenberg Space Force Base launches satellites and ICBMs from nearby.
3
The Michael Jackson trial in 2005 turned Santa Maria into a media circus.
4
Santa Maria is located in Santa Barbara County, California.
5
Santa Maria was founded in 1875.

Famous People from Santa Maria, California

AS
Aurora Snow
Pornographic Actor, Journalist · Born Nov 26, 1981 · Age 44
CR
Conrad Ricamora
Singer, Stage Actor · Born Feb 17, 1979 · Age 47
RV
Robin Ventura
Baseball Manager, Baseball Player · Born Jul 14, 1967 · Age 58
MR
Marla Runyan
Sport Cyclist, Long-Distance Runner · Born Jan 4, 1969 · Age 57
EP
Evan Patak
Volleyball Player · Born Jun 23, 1984 · Age 41

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