All cultures that practice any kind of religion tend to revere special places in high esteem for purposes of worship and other rites. “Anapamu” (a prominent downtown Santa Barbara street name today) originally would have signified, in Chumash, a topographical summit.

There are still several such heights within or very close to Santa Barbara’s city limits: the present-day “Mesa” area, Campanil Hill, Hope Ranch, and the promontory behind the magnificently-situated Mission—all are selected for the “Anapamu”  a sacred space used by the Chumash throughout the years.