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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.

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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1875Founded: Agricultural community on Central Coast.

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1930Oil Discovery: Santa Maria Valley oil fields developed.

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1958Vandenberg AFB Nearby: Military space launches from nearby base.

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2005Michael Jackson Trial: Jackson trial at Santa Maria courthouse draws worldwide media.

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2010BBQ Capital: Santa Maria-style BBQ gains national recognition.

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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?

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.

The Michael Jackson trial in 2005 turned Santa Maria into a media circus.

Santa Maria is located in Santa Barbara County, California.

Santa Maria was founded in 1875.

Famous People from Santa Maria, California

Aurora Snow

Pornographic Actor, Journalist · Born Nov 26, 1981 · Age 44

Conrad Ricamora

Singer, Stage Actor · Born Feb 17, 1979 · Age 47

Robin Ventura

Baseball Manager, Baseball Player · Born Jul 14, 1967 · Age 58

Marla Runyan

Sport Cyclist, Long-Distance Runner · Born Jan 4, 1969 · Age 57

Evan Patak

Volleyball Player · Born Jun 23, 1984 · Age 41

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