Promoted as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is situated on a south-facing section of coastline between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, 90 miles north of Los Angeles. Unsurprisingly, it is a year-round tourist destination for its fair weather, downtown beaches and Spanish architecture. Tourism and hospitality generates $1 billion a year for the region and the Motel 6 chain started in Santa Barbara in 1962. Surfing has remained a cultural focus of the city as well. The city has also received a measure of notoriety as the hometown of Grammy-nominated pop star Katy Perry, who filmed her music video “Teenage Dream” in Santa Barbara. She attended Dos Pueblos High in neighboring Goleta. In terms of industry, the region is a hub for aerospace and defense companies like Alliant Techsystems and Raytheon.