LICENSED SIGN CONTRACTORS
Founded by the family behind Signs By Ken — trusted in Santa Barbara for over 50 years.
Our
Services
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Design + Fabrication
We will carefully listen to your needs and find solutions that best fit your project, budget and timeframe. We offer products in wood, metal, acrylic, vinyl, LEDs and more while utilizing state of the art technologies such as CNCs, laser engravers, and UV printers.
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Permit Services
As licensed sign contractors with over 50 years of experience in the sign industry, you can trust that you’re in good hands. With 3 generations of experience in the sign industry in Santa Barbara, we are uniquely positioned to guide you through the process. We know this city and how to get things done.
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Installation
If you’re local to Santa Barbara we handle installations in house. Outside of our area? No problem! We’ll coordinate with local installers or provide you step by step DIY instructions on how to install on our own.
Our
Projects
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CHANNEL CITY
A bold illuminated monument sign with sleek pin-mounted wall letters for maximum impact.
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THE GRANADA
A striking illuminated display case paired with custom signage to showcase your brand day and night.
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BACARA
Custom hand-painted lettering rooted in a legacy of artistry and craftsmanship.
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TYLER WINE
Beautifully crafted sandblasted sign, showcasing depth, texture, and timelessness.
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SILVERS OMAKASE
A sleek, modern sign precision-crafted with laser engraving for clean lines and lasting detail.
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CHANNEL CITY
A custom wall panel sign featuring dimensional acrylic artwork that makes a bold statement with clean, lasting design.
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TAYLOR PAIGE
Dimensional letters bring depth and elegance to this interior wall display.
signs that tell your story
It all begins with a sign. Maybe you’re opening a new business and need to make your mark. Maybe you want to give your brand a fresh identity. Whatever the vision, the right sign turns it into something real.
making signs Since 1975
A Family Tradition in Signs and Craftsmanship
Our story begins in Santa Barbara with Ken Sorgman, founder of Signs By Ken. For over 40 years, Ken dedicated himself to the craft of sign making, helping shape the visual character of the city. He became the first sign maker invited to sit on the Santa Barbara Sign Committee and today serves as its Chair. His knowledge of the sign ordinance, his hands-on skill, and his commitment to quality established a family legacy that continues through Acaloa Artisans and Acaloa Signs.
It was in his father’s shop that Jonathan Castañeda Gallardo Sorgman grew up. At 12 years old, Jonathan skateboarded to the shop after school, sanding wooden letters by hand for $5.15 an hour. From those early days, he learned to paint, carve, shape wood, climb ladders, and see the details others might miss—like how to make a sign look straight when nothing else does. More importantly, he learned the values that define our family’s work: tradition, honesty, care, and pride in craftsmanship.
Jonathan’s mother, Elizabeth Castañeda Sorgman, strengthened this foundation with her expertise as an award-winning architect and longtime Plans Examiner for the City of Santa Barbara. Her work in accessibility and design continues to guide our approach as she consults as our resident designer and interior specialist.
Behind Ken and Elizabeth’s accomplishments stand earlier generations whose hard work made this legacy possible. Jonathan’s grandfather, José Gallardo, began as a sign installer in Guadalajara, Mexico, before becoming a master welder for military aircraft in Santa Barbara. His grandmother, Cecilia Castañeda, immigrated from San Nicolás de Ibarra, working in the fields from the age of five before finding success in textiles and helping establish the family in Santa Barbara in the 1950s. That same spirit of determination carries forward through Jonathan’s uncle, Mario “Beto” Castañeda, who continues the tradition as a general contractor and small business owner here in Santa Barbara.
Today, Acaloa Signs honors this multi-generational history—rooted in Ken’s decades of sign making, enriched by Jonathan’s dedication to creativity and craftsmanship, and sustained by a family tradition of resilience, artistry, and service to the community.
What Our Clients Say