The Mesa, whose Spanish name aptly means "table," has been a distinctive geographical feature along Santa Barbara's southwestern coastline since mission days. This flat coastal bench once extended from Arroyo Burro to the Santa Barbara Cemetery, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the region. While primarily agricultural through the early 20th century, the Mesa's destiny changed dramatically in 1929 with the discovery of oil beneath its fertile soil.
The discovery well, Channel Oil No. 1, transformed the eastern third of the Mesa into a forest of wooden derricks. This unexpected development even forced the abandonment of Earle L. Ovington's municipal airport project, as drilling rigs sprouted across what was meant to be a runway. Most wells reached oil-bearing shale at around 2,800 feet, though Richfield's deepest attempt reached 5,000 feet before being abandoned as a "duster." Even European royalty participated in the boom, with Prince David Mdivani (then married to Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton) owning a row of derricks in what is now the Marine Terrace subdivision which is Cliff Drive to Shoreline Drive and La Marina to Salida Del Sol; otherwise known as the East Mesa.
Unlike other California oil discoveries that drove economic development for decades, the Mesa Oil Field proved relatively modest. Residential construction in the vicinity temporarily halted as oil presented faster profits to land developers. The field's production peaked quickly and declined just as rapidly, with most wells exhausted before World War II. The last operating well, owned by Howard Miller, continued pumping until finally being capped in 1971. This brief but impactful chapter in the Mesa's history allowed residential development to resume, transforming the area into one of Santa Barbara's most desirable neighborhoods, known for its exceptional climate—warmer in winter and cooler in summer than downtown—and spectacular ocean views.
Today's Mesa residents might never guess that oil derricks once dominated this picturesque landscape. The neighborhood has evolved into one of Santa Barbara's premier residential areas, where luxury homes capitalize on the same breathtaking vistas and ideal climate that have attracted settlers since mission days. This transformation from indigenous settlement to Spanish lookout, agricultural haven, brief oil boom, and finally to coveted residential enclave perfectly illustrates Santa Barbara's ability to honor its diverse heritage while creating communities of enduring value and beauty.
