Since 1978, students of American English have enjoyed the best language training available anywhere. Our other English center on the west coast is located in Downtown Santa Barbara, just two block...
Located about 100 miles from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, the relaxing and fun city of Santa Barbara is a great place to live and study English. With a mild climate and beautiful natural surroundings, Santa Barbara is known as the Riviera of the West. There is no “off season” here, as the Mediterranean climate is mild and sunny for 12 months of the year. Santa Barbara is also known for its distinctive California Mission Style architecture and its many popular festivals throughout the year, celebrating the multi-cultural roots of the city.
A town of only 90,000 people, Santa Barbara is a peaceful place that offers superb wineries, wide beaches and a large variety of dining and shopping. Although Santa Barbara is often considered a playground for the rich and famous, in reality the income is only slightly higher than the average income for California.
Living in laid-back Santa Barbara, you’ll have plenty to do when you’re not studying - from lazing on the beach to golfing, hiking and learning about the local history.
Santa Barbara is easy and fun to explore. Visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1929 in a Spanish-Moorish style and is the most impressive building in the town. It has gorgeous murals, frescoes and tilework from Tunisia. Then climb to the top of the El Mirador Bell Tower for great views over the city and the bay.
Also, check out the Santa Barbara Mission which has beautiful architecture and is an interesting insight into the original native culture of the surrounding area. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a fascinating museum that contains many exhibits, including a life-sized Blue Whale skeleton and a rare pygmy mammoth skeleton, which is the size of a pony. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is also worth a visit. It has an interesting collection of modern art, classical European treasures and Roman antiques.
Santa Barbara and the surrounding area offer many outdoor opportunities for English language students, including boating, hiking, swimming, sports, jet skiing, whale-watching, wind-surfing and horseback riding. And if you love golf, Santa Barbara is a great place to be. There are numerous private and public golf courses around the city, including Twin Lakes, Hidden Oaks and Ocean Meadows.
If you enjoy hiking, Santa Barbara offers amazing opportunities to see abundant wildlife and gorgeous views. Check out the Douglas Family Reserve or the East Camino Cielo Road. There are many hiking and biking trails to explore in this lovely area of California.
Santa Barbara is known for its superb wineries, and there are plenty located within blocks of downtown. But you can also take a full-day wine tour by bike, or head up into the Santa Barbara back country for a wine-tasting with spectacular views.
The laid-back, outdoor lifestyle of elegant Santa Barbara is a great way to experience an American English language course.