FIRST PLACE WINNER - Tomato Fest 2017! Out of 274 varieties of tomatoes available for tasting (uncatagorized).
 
If pushed against the wall, I will admit that this is probably my all-time favorite tomato. Dark red fruits average 3/4 of a lb, with average care. Meaty, with few seeds. Much more sweet than acid, yet still balanced, but certainly not tart.
 
My friend Pam Q, who's been growing a garden for decades has room for only 24 tomato plants. She told me this fall (2018) that she will now devote 12 spaces to Santa Maria from here on out. Yes, it's just that good.
 
I want to mention that while this is certainly a paste variety, it has just enough juice to be a 'cross-over' - meaning it's perfect for slicing up into salads, burgers or salsa, too!
 
RICK B. had this to say (2023):

"The best all around tomato for all uses. Its does everything in an expectional way. A heavy feeder that also like Espom salt on a three week schedule, adding 5-6 Tbsp per plant. Grows to 10-12 ft easily and produced until mid-November, only to finally be killed after our third hard frost. Santa Maria is #1 in our book. It has thoroughly beaten the big named varieties in its taste, paste, sauce, slicer and salad uses. We have grown over 150 varieties of tomatoes. Try with confidence."

HISTORY: Introduced by my dear friend, Remy, owner of The Sample Seed Shop. This heirloom originally hails from Italy and continues to be grown in the Buffalo, New York area.
 
Sold in a 3.5" pot.