The Native Americans made their homes on the slopes of the surrounding hills among the oaks, on the banks of the Santa Maria River among the sycamores, and along the coast.

In 1769, the Portolá Expedition passed through the Santa Maria Valley during the first Spanish land exploration up the coast of Las Californias Province.

At the end of the Mexican War in 1848, California was ceded to the United States, and was granted statehood with the Compromise of 1850.

By the end of the century, the Santa Maria River Valley had become one of the most productive agricultural areas in the state.

[10] Between 1869 and 1874, four of the valley's settlers, Rudolph Cook, John Thornburg, Isaac Fesler (for whom Fesler Jr. High School is named), and Isaac Miller (for whom Miller Elementary School is named), built their homes near each other at the present corners on Broadway and Main Street.

Santa Maria was chosen from the name Juan Pacifico Ontiveros had given to his property 25 years earlier.

The valley is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the San Rafael Mountains and the Los Padres National Forest.

The agricultural areas surrounding the city are some of the most productive in California, with primary crops including strawberries, wine grapes, celery, lettuce, peas, squash, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli and beans.

[25][26] Two of the city's major retail centers, the Crossroads,[27] completed in 1999, and the historic Enos Ranch site,[28] still under development, are both situated adjacent to the U.S. Route 101/Betteravia Road interchange and feature several prominent big-box stores.

[29] Several famous guests have stayed at this inn, including Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, and Herbert Hoover.

In recent years, other industries have been added to the city's agricultural and retail mix, including: aerospace; communications; high-tech research and development; energy production; military operations; and manufacturing.

In the United States, this cut was typically used for ground beef or sliced into steaks until the late 1950s, when it became a local specialty in Santa Maria.

The side dishes complementing a typical "Santa Maria-style" barbecue generally consist of garlic bread, pinquito beans, and a salad.

The region's first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates.

Santa Maria's Allan Hancock College is the home of The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA), a theatrical school and production company.

Notable alumni include: Robin Williams, Kathy Bates, Kelly McGillis, Mercedes Ruehl, Scott Aukerman, and Zac Efron.

Santa Maria is also home to one large indoor Regal Edwards movie theater, located in the Town Center Mall.

It is also home to the annual Strawberry Festival, in addition to a wide variety of other events, concerts, and conventions.

[34] Preisker Park, located at the north end, is home to large open fields, a disc golf course, playgrounds and picnic areas.

Its main feature is the large pond with a small replica of the Santa Maria ship, which children can play on.

Rotary Centennial Park has a basketball court, a baseball field, a large open grass area, and two playgrounds.

Each year, the Annual Free Family Kite Festival organized by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is held there.

[39] Approximately 11,500 credit students enroll each semester at one of the college's four locations in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, or at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Allan Hancock College is known for its distinguished athletic programs which have included former head football coaches John Madden[41] and Ernie Zampese, as well as Gunther Cunningham.

It has been improved to freeway status (meaning all at-grade intersections have been eliminated) within the city of Santa Maria itself.

A $32 million widening project that expanded the freeway from four to six lanes between Santa Maria Way and the Highway 166 exit was completed by early 2009.

State Route 1 runs around the western edge of the city and connects it to nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc.

The Breeze Bus provides service to Lompoc, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Santa Maria.

The District Attorney chose to present the trial in Santa Maria due to its close proximity from Neverland Ranch where the alleged incident took place.

In the 1995 film Nick of Time, the main character, Gene Watson, who is played by Johnny Depp, is from Santa Maria, CA.