# Pacific Capital Associates

> Pacific Capital Associates is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in San Diego, CA, registered since 2018, reporting $100 million to $500 million in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated April 20, 2026.

- CRD: 160407
- Filed as: PACIFIC CAPITAL ASSOCIATES
- Legal name: Pacific Capital Associates, Inc.
- Registration: SEC-registered investment adviser (status as filed: Approved)
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Filing period: October 2026
- Form ADV filing dated: April 20, 2026
- SEC record (IAPD): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160407
- AdvisorCensus page: https://advisorcensus.com/firm/pacific-capital-associates-san-diego-ca-160407

## Quick answers

**How is Pacific Capital Associates compensated?**
On its Form ADV (Item 5.E, October 2026), Pacific Capital Associates reports these compensation arrangements: a percentage of assets under its management; hourly charges; fixed fees (other than subscription fees).

**How much does Pacific Capital Associates charge?**
Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated February 5, 2026 states: Flat fee: $10,000 (financial planning and consulting services). Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable; the brochure is the complete statement.

**Where is Pacific Capital Associates located?**
Pacific Capital Associates' principal office is in San Diego, CA, according to its Form ADV.

**Is Pacific Capital Associates registered with the SEC or a state?**
Pacific Capital Associates is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, registered since 2018. Status as filed: Approved. CRD 160407.

**How much does Pacific Capital Associates manage?**
Pacific Capital Associates reports $258,800,740 in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated April 20, 2026 (100% discretionary).

**How have Pacific Capital Associates' assets and staff changed since 2021?**
In the Form ADV data for Pacific Capital Associates: Regulatory assets under management: $185,877,782 in the October 2021 data and $258,800,740 in the October 2026 data, up 39%. Total employees: 7 in October 2021 and 6 in October 2026. Assets under management move with markets as well as with clients coming and going.

**What types of clients does Pacific Capital Associates serve?**
By number of clients on Form ADV Item 5.D: high net worth individuals (411); individuals (other than high net worth individuals) (86).

**Which custodians does Pacific Capital Associates use?**
Pacific Capital Associates' most recent Form ADV filing (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)) lists Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as a custodian holding 10% or more of its separately managed account assets.

**Does Pacific Capital Associates report any disciplinary disclosures?**
Reports no disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11. The detail of any item is on the firm's SEC record: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160407

**Does Pacific Capital Associates state an account minimum?**
Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated February 5, 2026 says: "There is an account minimum, $200,000, which may be waived by the investment advisor in special situations."

**What changed in Pacific Capital Associates' recent Form ADV filings?**
In the May 2026 filing data: Registered or notice-filed in AZ.

## From the Form ADV filing

### Compensation (Item 5.E)
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)

### Fees and minimums (Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated February 5, 2026)

- Account minimum: $200,000 (the brochure says it may be waived or negotiated)

> There is an account minimum, $200,000, which may be waived by the investment advisor in special situations.

- Flat fee: $10,000 (financial planning and consulting services)

> Our firm charges on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee charged, is based on the scope and complexity of our engagement with the client. The maximum hourly fee to be charged will not exceed $350. Flat fees will not exceed $10,000.

As stated in the firm's brochure. Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable.

### Custodians (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3))
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Custodians holding 10% or more of the firm's separately managed account assets, as filed on Form ADV (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)). A custodian holds client assets; it does not endorse or supervise the firm. AdvisorCensus has no relationship with any custodian.

### Regulatory assets under management (Item 5.F)
- Total: $258,800,740
- Discretionary: $258,800,740
- Non-discretionary: $0

### Clients (Item 5.D)

| Client type | Clients | Assets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Individuals (other than high net worth individuals) | 86 | $107,182,155 |
| High net worth individuals | 411 | $147,841,667 |
| Pension and profit sharing plans (but not the plan participants or government pension plans) | Fewer than 5 | $1,361,942 |
| Corporations or other businesses not listed above | Fewer than 5 | $2,414,976 |

### Advisory services (Item 5.G)
- Financial planning services
- Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses
- Portfolio management for businesses (other than small businesses) or institutional clients
- Pension consulting services
- Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)

### Firm details
- Registered since: 2018 (8 years)
- Employees: 6 total, 3 performing advisory functions
- Wrap fee program participation: No
- States registered or notice-filed: AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, NH, NV, NY, OR, TX, WA
- Disclosures (Item 11): Reports no disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11.

### Websites listed on Form ADV (Item 1.I)
- link.edgepilot.com/s/a20d4f52/qI_f_sRASUG8_XcUZYA3cQ
- link.edgepilot.com/s/a3b4655d/GLllObS-oku4nkA6GnkitA
- link.edgepilot.com/s/e6df0bf4/hgKnu4WxtU6Zapiq26ZBAQ
- pcasd.com
- LinkedIn @KEVIN-STONE-5396A49
- X @RICHTOSCANO

## Assets and staff over time

| Data period | Regulatory assets under management | Employees | Filing dated |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| October 2021 | $185,877,782 | 7 | January 26, 2021 |
| October 2022 | $206,934,965 | 7 | February 24, 2022 |
| October 2023 | $188,226,090 | 6 | September 15, 2023 |
| October 2024 | $228,429,122 | 6 | May 14, 2024 |
| October 2025 | $221,091,916 | 6 | February 4, 2025 |
| October 2026 | $258,800,740 | 6 | April 20, 2026 |

Regulatory assets under management: $185,877,782 in the October 2021 data and $258,800,740 in the October 2026 data, up 39%.
Total employees: 7 in October 2021 and 6 in October 2026.

## Changes in the filing (last 12 months)

### May 2026
- Registered or notice-filed in AZ.

### March 2026
- Regulatory assets under management went from $221,091,916 to $258,800,740 (+17%).
- Registered or notice-filed in ID, NV.
- Updated its list of owners and control persons (Schedule A).

## Source

Form ADV as filed, October 2026. Values appear as filed. Cite as: AdvisorCensus. Pacific Capital Associates (CRD 160407): Form ADV filing data as of October 2026.