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Pacific Capital Associates

Updated today

Client assets under management

$255,023,822

Clients

497

83% high-net-worth

Advisors

3

of 6 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-4 advisors or >$200M in AUM

Clients per advisor

166

Very High

Average account size

$513,126

About

Pacific Capital Associates provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals (including high‑net‑worth clients), trusts, retirement plans, and business entities. Its offerings include comprehensive portfolio management, standalone financial planning and consulting, retirement plan consulting, and an account monitoring option.

The firm follows a value‑oriented, long‑term, globally diversified investment approach that emphasizes low‑cost index ETFs while selectively using actively managed mutual or closed‑end funds; portfolios are monitored and rebalanced regularly. Pacific Capital also engages third‑party money managers to implement client strategies and performs initial and ongoing due diligence on those managers (a capability added in 2025).

Unlike most supported RIAs, Pacific Capital’s representatives are registered with Mutual Securities (FINRA/SIPC) and are licensed insurance agents, allowing the firm to offer commissionable securities and insurance products alongside fee‑based advisory services and to compensate unaffiliated persons for referrals; the firm discloses these potential conflicts and also receives economic benefits through its relationship with Charles Schwab. The firm manages roughly $259 million with three advisors, maintains a $200,000 account minimum (waivable in special situations), and includes corporate planning services (tax planning, cost segregation, corporate structure) among its planning capabilities.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers

Expertise

Active portfolio management Passive / index investing Options & derivatives strategies

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Fee options

Fixed

Financial Planning & Consulting flat fees up to $10,000

Commissions

Representatives are registered representatives able to accept commissions from sale of securities including trail fees from mutual funds

Project-based

Financial Planning & Consulting hourly fees up to $350/hour

Other

Account minimum: $200,000 Fee-only: Financial Planning & Consulting: Hourly fees up to $350/hour; Flat fees up to $10,000 (case-by-case basis)

Main office location

Pacific Capital Associates

4747 Viewridge Ave, Suite 107

San Diego CA 92123-1688, United States

Number of offices

1

Most active in

Arizona · California · Colorado · Florida · Idaho · Nevada · New Hampshire · New York · Oregon · Texas · Washington

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

John S

CFP®, Series 66

San Diego, CA

Pacific Capital Associates

John Simon is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Pacific Capital Associates and has held roles at Mutual Securities, Inc., Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, and Girard Securities Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a recreation specialist referee for youth and adult hockey games in the City of Escondido. Pacific Capital Associates provides portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and account monitoring services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities. The firm employs a valuation-driven, value investing approach with global diversification and emphasizes cost control through the use of low-cost index ETFs alongside selectively chosen active funds.

Active portfolio management Passive / index investing Options & derivatives strategies
user avatar

Kevin S

CFP®

San Diego, CA

Pacific Capital Associates

Kevin Stone is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in financial advising. He has been with Pacific Capital Associates in San Diego, CA, since 1991. Pacific Capital Associates serves individual clients, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and account monitoring. The firm employs a valuation-driven, value investing strategy with global diversification and emphasizes cost control through low-cost index ETFs alongside selective use of actively managed funds.

Active portfolio management Passive / index investing Options & derivatives strategies
user avatar

Richard T

Series 66

San Diego, CA

Pacific Capital Associates

Richard Toscano is a financial advisor at Pacific Capital Associates with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Girard Securities, Inc. and Cetera Advisor Networks before joining Pacific Capital Associates in 2011. Pacific Capital Associates serves individual clients, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, managing approximately $221 million in assets. The firm employs a valuation-driven, value investing approach with global diversification and emphasizes low-cost index ETFs alongside selective active management.

Active portfolio management Passive / index investing Options & derivatives strategies
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