In celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month (APIHM), I am sharing a recent…read morediscovery/experience. While I am pretty naïve when it comes to the Buddhist faith and practice, I happened upon this American Buddhist Meditation Temple (ABMT) through a Google Maps marker. I immediately hit the road out of curiosity. Directions: To find this temple, head south on Patterson Ave toward the ocean, passing over the Atascadero Creek and bike path. You'll go up a hill into the More Mesa neighborhood with ranches and orchid farms. Follow the signs to Cal-Orchid by turning right on Orchid Dr (there was no street sign when I visited). The street dead ends with three gravel parking spots on the left for the temple. Given that parking is limited, it is acceptable to park on the property of Cal-Orchid to the right. This was such a unique and hidden find that most locals are probably unaware of its existence. It is a quiet place to practice meditation, offer support to the monks, attend Buddhist ceremonies, and for interested participants to attend formal retreats. The monks here perform a ceremony daily at 4 pm involving chanting and meditation. The property is truly serene with a light breeze, blooming flowers, and greenery of bamboo in every corner of the eye. Buddha statues are also discovered throughout--even in unlikely places such as trees or on rocks. There are multiple areas for meditation, a covered shrine, and places for offerings. Truly a beautiful site for all to explore and learn about. If you visit here, please consider leaving a donation in the locked box for its preservation and services.

I was a member for a few years and a board member for a period of time. The leadership is…read moreincredibly toxic and authoritarian. When I asked questions about some things that seemed to not follow the bylaws (i.e., missing records of elections), they instantly got deeply offended and started attacking everything I did and said. One member of the pastoral committee told me I was too young and naive to understand how things worked and I should just observe for a while. Another member of the pastoral committee told me I needed to just "do whatever the admiral says" and keep my mouth shut. Now the leadership has created rules that you cannot be pres/vp if you don't have experience on the board. If you volunteer to be on the board they are condescending, respond to most things you say with statements about how you haven't been around long enough, and demand your resignation over and over. In the last year, 50% of the board was forced to resign because of the constant harassment from the leadership. They've locked in a system where the same leaders will serve all roles perpetually under the guise of "no one else wants to do it" after they have pushed everyone out. If you join this church, assume you will not be welcomed because you are not part of the clique that has been there for a long time. It was the most unwelcoming "spiritual" community I have found so far.

I had been interested in visiting this church since doing some recent research and decided to…read morefinally make the Sunday morning trek and it was worth it! I suggest this church and their events and I plan to go to more. Very friendly and welcoming members (only about 11 present ) and small cute historical building with lovely stained glass art. Street parking so I'd advise to get there early to properly park if possible. If I lived closer, I'd attend often but do intend to attend more of their offerings as they do special events for visiting people of interest, etc. Thank you!

I really love this church. Both the worship team and the teaching are awesome. I feel extremely…read morewelcomed and free to be myself. I have had a hard couple of years and this church has been a haven of safety and refreshment for me. My truest gratitude! Another thing I like about this church is it focus on the main thing, and doesn't get distracted with issues not central to faith that tend to divide people! Nobody will judge you if you're a Democrat or a Republican or not political. I think this church is an extremely healthy and safe place. It is also fairly lighthearted and very joyful.

Grace Gathering Church I feel so blessed to have found this…read morechurch. Pastor Todd, carefully listens to the needs of people and follows through in his compassionate, caring manner. His sermons are of God's lessons from the Bible. Todd has a gift of making how scriptures are relevant to our lives today. He is a practicing servant of God. The people of the church are friendly not only welcoming but accept others and their beliefs, philosophy , as a creation of God to respect and accept. This is a genuine loving caring sharing church.

Inspiring teaching, great congregation and peaceful setting…read more We look forward to attending this church 3-4 times a year when we come to SB to visit my parents. It is starting to feel like our second church home. It is a very warm and safe place to worship and learn. They are blessed with a wonderful teaching pastor, fine children's program and facility. We really enjoy the view of the Pacific ocean out the windows! Many faculty and students from Westmont College attend here so there are a lot of smart people who share their understanding and experience. There is much musical talent in the congregation so there is a great variety to the music. If you are visiting the area stop by on Sunday. If you live here, see if you would like to make this your church home.

I have always loved this church. I went here consistantly for 5 years before falling off the map,…read morebut no matter how long I was gone, when I came back, they were always welcoming me with open arms. The pastor, Denny, does a great job incorporating everything into his services, kids, music, communion, you name it. They have services in English and in Spanish. The Easter Sunday Sunrise service is amazing, and it truely feels like family. Everyone brings their chairs and blankets, snuggles up on the grass and sings and prays together, enjoys breakfast, and each other. They sing songs in English and Spanish and it's wonderful to see everyone together, it's like a family with open arms.

This is such a beautiful church, and in such a beautiful little town. The pastor is a great speaker…read moreand with such enthusiasm towards the worship of Jesus Christ. I will be coming back again very soon.

This church has such charm! You feel so welcome with the great members of the church and everyone…read morewanting to get to know you. Rev. Bart Tarman and Lay Pastor Peter Bie are great speakers that dont just preach but have fun and make you laugh. A great congregation of all ages. I love visiting this historic church every sunday i am in town Services are at 10:30am

Friendly people. Excellent gathering and fellowship. Highly…read morerecommend this Chinese community church.

I love this church. The people are warm and friendly and the worship service is sweet. Feels like a…read morefamily.

Pastor Mark is great! He is relatable, humble yet captivating, sincere, and full of integrity. We…read morevisited Santa Barbara for a few weekends and loved attending the Sunday service. They have a lovely garden on the premises that my family was able to appreciate before the services. He officiated a small wedding for my husband and I after we took pre-marital classes, and our close family and friends connected with the message at a deep level. There was much for everyone to learn from and take away. We will treasure this lovely experience our whole lives and really appreciate the great work Pastor Mark and all those at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran do for the kingdom.

Trinity Lutheran is an extremely friendly congregation. Visitor are made to feel at home from the…read moremoment they arrive. Check out their website: so much happening with children and families, as well as with their Outreach ministry. A major renewal of their sanctuary is ready about to happen.

True word of God. Most knowledgeable and intelligent Pastor I have known in my 86 year liferead more

If you are an inquisitive person or wanting a realistic, non-sensationalized experience, give…read moreEmanuel Lutheran a try. Pastor Paul Nelson does a great job of presenting biblical topics in light of biblical history. Useful and informative. I'd say sermons are structured like a college lecture to some degree, and definitely not stale. The service is somewhat classical. Some hymns are done with a real organ, which is always a beautiful sound. Others are more contemporary with guitars.