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IS CALIFORNIA “FUN”? WALLETHUB THINKS SO

August 26, 2024

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When WalletHub released its 2024 list of the Most Fun States in America, California’s #2 position was hardly a surprise to those of us who live in the coastal enclave of Santa Barbara. In fact, it’s no shock at all. The Santa Barbara lifestyle perfectly reflects why California ranks so high, showcasing a city where fun is an integral part of daily life.


A birds eye view of Santa Barbara over the red tile roof of Mission Santa Barbara and over the city's red tiled roofs to the ocean

Defining Fun: The Santa Barbara Way

Fun can mean many things to different people, from thrilling outdoor adventures to relaxing cultural experiences. In Santa Barbara, our perfect year-round Mediterranean weather combined with the blend of activities available makes it a perfect example of what makes California such an appealing state. Santa Barbara offers a lifestyle where enjoyment is woven into everyday life.

The Impact of Fun on Well-being

According to WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe, living in a fun state has many benefits. “Living in one of the most fun states can boost your mental, physical, and emotional health by giving you a wide range of activities to choose from, both indoor and outdoor. These states help residents stay active and socialize, and they’re also ideal for travelers who want to make the most out of the limited amount of time that they have to explore.”

A stretch of beach, with a lifeguard station, looking out to Stearns Wharf and a spectacular sunrise

Embracing the Fun

As locals, we truly know how to embrace fun. Here are a few ways we make the most of every day:

Stunning Outdoor Activities
Santa Barbara’s natural beauty is nothing short of spectacular, and its outdoor activities reflect that.

  • Beaches: Our city boasts some of the most beautiful beaches along the California coast, from the famous East Beach to the more secluded Hendry’s Beach. Surfing, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball are just a few of the fun activities you can enjoy with the sun and sand as your backdrop. You can sail, kayak, go whale watching, or simply unwind and soak in the tranquility.
  • Hiking: The Santa Barbara area is home to stunning hiking trails with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Popular spots like Rattlesnake Canyon and Inspiration Point Trail offer both challenging hikes and serene walks amidst lush greenery.
  • Polo: The Sport of Kings perfectly captures the essence of the Santa Barbara lifestyle. Whether you're playing or watching, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club delivers both excitement and enjoyment under the sun.
  • Architecture: Santa Barbara’s architecture is undoubtedly one of the city’s most defining features. Since the early 1920s, city leaders have carefully cultivated a distinctive aesthetic that defines the area. Think Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean styles complete with red-tiled roofs, whitewashed buildings, and Spanish-Moorish accents. Indeed, architecture plays a crucial role in shaping the unique character of Santa Barbara today.

Colorful Spanish dancers in a parade on a street in Santa Barbara during Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
Photo credit Fritz Olenberger, courtesy of Old Spanish Days

Vibrant Cultural and Social Scene

Santa Barbara is rich in cultural experiences and social activities, making it an exciting place to live.

  • Historic Downtown and State Street: Our downtown area is a vibrant hub of activity with charming shops, art galleries, and a diverse range of restaurants. State Street is particularly lively, offering everything from boutique shopping to eclectic dining options.
  • Festivals and Events: Santa Barbara hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Old Spanish Days Fiesta, and the Santa Barbara Bowl’s summer concert series. Founded, revered, and absolutely thriving on “Fun” for 50 years, Santa Barbara’s annual Summer Solstice Celebration is an iconic, joyful weekend party. These events draw people from all over and provide endless entertainment for residents.
  • Private Clubs: At the heart of this coastal haven are the exclusive private clubs that epitomize luxury and refinement with a touch of fun. These clubs offer residents a unique blend of camaraderie and exceptional amenities, serving as social sanctuaries where affluent individuals gather for both socializing and recreation.
A delicious looking plate of meat, potatoes and greens on a formally set table, with a glass of red wine and three empty wine glasses at other placesettings in the background.
Image courtesy of Hotel Californian

World-Class Dining and Wineries

Santa Barbara’s culinary scene and world-class Wine Country are highlights of our city’s lifestyle.

  • Farm-to-Table Dining: Our restaurants emphasize fresh, local ingredients, with many offering farm-to-table dining experiences. The city’s dining scene ranges from upscale eateries to cozy cafés, ensuring that there’s always a new place to explore and enjoy.
  • Wine Country: Santa Barbara County is renowned for its wine country, with numerous wineries and tasting rooms in nearby regions like the Santa Ynez Valley, where enthusiasts can enjoy exploring local vineyards and participating in tastings that showcase the area’s renowned varietals. We even have our own Urban Wine Wine Trail.

A serene pond at a Santa Barbara park surrounded by a walking path, trees, and lush greenery.
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Abundant Entertainment and Relaxation Opportunities

While Santa Barbara is renowned for its luxury, it also provides a charming hometown atmosphere with numerous ways to enjoy the city.

  • Parks and Recreational Areas: The city has several parks, such as Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, pictured above, and the scenic Chase Palm Park. These spaces provide opportunities for picnicking, leisurely walks, and community events.
  • Public Art and Culture: Santa Barbara is home to a range of public art installations and free cultural events. From the colorful murals that adorn our streets to the local art fairs and open-air markets, there’s always something to enjoy without spending a fortune.

California’s #2 ranking on WalletHub’s list of the Most Fun States in America for 2024 is a testament to why we love living here. The abundance of outdoor activities, social events, and cultural experiences, along with our stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural scene, and endless recreational opportunities, make it perfectly clear why Santa Barbara is considered one of California's most fun places to live.


Santa Barbara embodies a lifestyle of embracing and celebrating fun, making it an ideal spot for anyone who wants to live life to the fullest. Even the process of buying or selling a home can be enjoyable here. As a top real estate agent and longtime resident, I encourage you to explore the exceptional listings on my website. Feel free to call me at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@Montecito-Estate for a complimentary consultation. In the meantime, let’s all embrace the fun in the Golden State!


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“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch