State Route 217 (SR 217) is a state highway in the U.S. state of California that serves as a spur route from U.S. Route 101 to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Although the entire route is a freeway, SR 217 is officially named Ward Memorial Boulevard in honor of California State Senator Clarence C. Ward, who represented Santa Barbara County from 1941 to 1955. Route description It connects the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport with U.S. Route 101, which is the major highway that connects Santa Barbara with other major cities along California's Pacific Coast. State Route 217 can be found about west of Central Santa Barbara. It is a freeway for its entire length. SR 217 is part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. Exit list See also References External links California Highways - Route 217 California @ AARoads.com - State Route 217 Caltrans: Route 217 highway conditions 217 217 State Route 217 Goleta, California