Quietly nestled against a scenic mountain range, the Vedanta center in Santa Barbara overlooks the Pacific ocean. A convent of five nuns oversees the maintenance of the 45-acre property, manages the bookstore and facilitates public activities at the temple. Activities include daily worship, meditation and vesper services, Sunday spiritual talks, scripture classes, and pujas (special worship services). The Society celebrates Durga Puja every year in the Santa Barbara temple.

Dedicated in 1956, the temple has received several awards for its design, and is a special point of interest for architects from around the world. The temple is open daily to the public.

REACHING US:

The temple is open and reachable. However, many GPS navigation systems, including Google Maps, can’t find the route. Damaged bridges leave only one route to the temple, via Ortega Hill Road to Ortega Ridge Road.

You can reach the temple following these directions:

101 N: Take exit 91, Evans Avenue. Turn left on Ortega Hill Road, then right on Ortega Ridge Road. Follow it to its end at Rt. 192, E. Valley Road. Take a right on E. Valley, and the third left is Ladera Lane.

101 S: Take exit 92, Sheffield Drive. Turn right on N. Jameson Lane, right on Ortega Hill Road, then a left on Ortega Ridge Road. Follow it to its end at Rt. 192, E. Valley Road. Take a right on E. Valley, and the third left is Ladera Lane.

THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE TEMPLE IS VIA THIS ROUTE
ORTEGA HILL ROAD TO ORTEGA RIDGE ROAD
Other routes have bridges out and are impassable.