[quote=bearishgurl]Fresno is a city and county in its own right. Clovis is one of its “suburbs.” Santa Barbara is a city and county in its own right. Even though they are both in the same county, Santa Maria is NOT an exurb of Santa Barbara because there is too much open space between the two cities. It is a city in its own right. Compare San Diego to Julian (there really isn’t a comparison in SD County because the topography is so different and Julian is so small.) Perhaps SD to Valley Center. Bakersfield is a city in its own right and the county seat of Kern County. It stands alone.[/quote]So, what is your criteria that make a city a city vs a city that’s an exurb? I still don’t see any clue in your answer to solidify your criteria.

Especially since you say it has to do to location and not population or jobs. Why is Temecula an exurb while Santa Maria is not?