Summerland Citizens' Association

Since 1955, the Summerland Citizens' Association (SCA) has worked to enhance, beautify, protect, and preserve the interests of Summerland's semi-rural, ocean-side community. As Summerland is the only entirely unincorporated coastal community in Santa Barbara County, the SCA fills the role that a city government or homeowner association would elsewhere, representing residents, homeowners, businesses, and visitors. The organization has led projects such as transforming a County Road Yard into the Summerland Greenwell Preserve (holding a 50-year lease for it), advocating for cleaner beaches in partnership with the CA State Lands Commission, the County, and Heal the Ocean, securing the encroachment permit for the decorative Edison lampposts, designing the Evans underpass, creating the Memorial Garden, and campaigning for safer bike paths, sidewalks, and parking. The SCA communicates with the community through e-blasts, meetings with guest speakers, and community events, and is governed by a board of directors and supported by member dues.