Geography: Vegetation, Climate and Topography
Santa Barbara County vegetation is similar to most of Southern California; mainly covered with chaparral and sandstone outcrops. The Los Padres National Forest, with its mixed pine conifers, oaks, and chaparral, is contrasted by the flat and dry Cuyama Valley to the northeast and abundant grassland, coastal oaks and vineyards in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys. With its unique geographic orientation, Santa Barbara County is gifted with the longest stretch of south facing coastline in California.