Downtown $600,000- $3,000,000
Education: Various; Santa Barbara Junior High; Santa Barbara High School
Those living in Downtown Santa Barbara are never at a loss for something to do. Museums, shopping, world-class restaurants and galleries endow Santa Barbara with a cultural wealth that far exceeds its small size. But just a few steps off State Street, you'll find surprisingly quiet, tree-lined streets that are home to cozy homes big on charm and convenience. Nestled in among historic landmarks, Santa Barbara’s famous architecture of graceful archways, white stucco, red tile, wrought iron accents, and rich Mexican tile, these homes boast views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the occasional view of the nearby harbor.
The Mesa $750,000- $3,000,000
Education Monroe/Washington Elementary; La Cumbre; San Marcos/Santa Barbara Sr. High
Just minutes from bustling Downtown, the Mesa is an entire world away. The rolling, green expanse of Shoreline Park slopes down to West Beach, the harbor and Downtown on one side; the Douglas Preserve, Hendry’s Beach and Elings Park border it on the other. Though largely undeveloped before World War II, the Mesa’s prime geography (with unparalleled channel, harbor and mountain views, not to mention a laid-back, casual atmosphere) quickly made it one of Santa Barbara's most desirable locations. With quick access to quieter, "locals only beaches", a surprising variety of cozy restaurants, and weather that is warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the surrounding areas, the Mesa has it all.
Montecito: $900,000- $50,000,000
Education Montecito Union/Cold Springs; Santa Barbara Junior High; Santa Barbara High School
Montecito, just East of Santa Barbara’s city limits, has an air of prestige and grace unrivaled by any other locale in Southern California. Despite its small, eight-square-mile size, Montecito has an astounding variety of breathtaking scenery. Estates perched in the rolling foothills offer commanding views of the wooded valleys and palm-lined beaches below. Canyon ranches boast stellar equestrian properties, with miles of trails and pastures. Beachfront homes, with the Pacific at your feet, are some of the most desirable, exclusive locations anywhere in the world. Lavish estates date back to the 1800‚s, when America’s royalty ventured west, drawn by the posh health resort that was this community’s start. In the 20th century, Montecito was re-discovered by America’s new generation of royalty and it became a scene of Hollywood glamour. It remains a highly exclusive home to many celebrities, but fortunately its sylvan nature has helped it remain free from the pretensions of Rodeo Drive, but with all the class. Grand houses by renowned architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, George Washington Smith and Francis T. Underhill neighbor cottages tucked away down tree-lined lanes. Few parcels are smaller than one acre, affording residents the space and privacy they desire. Montecito also boasts tennis and golf clubs, quaint shops and boutiques, day spas, and numerous fine restaurants, making it almost unnecessary to go anywhere else.
Hope Ranch $2,000,000- $25,000,000
Education: Vieja Valley Elementary; La Colina Junior High; San Marcos High School
An equestrian’s paradise, this community was incorporated in 1924 as Santa Barbara’s most exclusive development. Towering palms, almost 100 years old, mark the entrance to this oasis of paradise, with its the private beach cabanas, tennis courts, miles of bridle trails and neighboring La Cumbre Country Club, one of Santa Barbara’s most lush and beautiful golf courses. Hope Ranch is home to many diverse styles, but it is all kept tasteful by the Owners Association. All properties are spacious and open, with minimal lot sizes of 1 acre, and some estates encompassing as many as 50 acres of oceanfront property.
Summerland $700,000- $3,000,000
Education Summerland Elementary; Carpinteria Jr. High; Carpinteria Sr. High
The name says it all! There are no worries in this carefree beach town, just down the coast from Montecito. With adorable, often funky, houses perched on Ortega Hill overlooking the sea, and more refined estates tucked into the foothills, Summerland also boasts some of the county’s best antique shops and most charming cafes. Bluff-top houses often have stairways right down to the wide, sandy beaches.
Carpinteria $500,000- $3,000,000
Education Aliso/Canalino; Carpinteria Jr. High; Carpinteria Sr. High
This charming community is just south of Santa Barbara, but it provides an escape from the tourism of downtown Santa Barbara. It is bursting with small-town charm, complete with a picturesque main street, Carpinteria has an early-California feel with its broad streets lined with shops, long, wide beaches, and avocado ranches in the surrounding foothills. Bordered by nurseries and the world-renowned Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, it is home to both California’s “safest beach” and one of the world’s most famed surf spots, Rincon Point. Padaro Lane, perhaps Carpinteria’s most exclusive address, is lined with beachside cottages and estates with their toes in the sand of the wide, private beaches.
The Riviera/Upper East Side $700,000- $4,000,000
Education Roosevelt; Santa Barbara Junior High; Santa Barbara High School
The most stunning views in all of Santa Barbara, from the hills of the Mesa, the harbor with its sailboats and twinkling yachts, out to the Channel Islands, and miles of red-tiled roofs by day, to the twinkling lights of downtown at night, this area spanning the ridge between Montecito and Mission Canyon is unbeatable. An older neighborhood, with houses from the 20's narrow winding streets. Spanning the crest between Santa Barbara’s Mission and Montecito, semi-tropical appearance, lush landscaping, utility cables are all buried or in the process, so few items obstruct the view. Predominantly Spanish Revival style architecture, with contemporary homes interspersed East of State Street and above Valerio Street, the Upper East Side is home to older, elegant homes, many of which date from turn of century. Close to downtown businesses, the Mission Rose Gardens, museums, theatres and restaurants.
Mission Canyon $900,000-$5,000,000
Education Roosevelt; Santa Barbara Junior High; Santa Barbara High School
Rich in relics of the historic Spanish Days, mountain canyons, creeks, wooded canyon of sycamore and oak trees, Museum of Natural History, wonderful area for hiking, Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens, home to Santa Barbara’s most beautiful landmark the Old Mission.
The Westside $550,000- $2,000,000
Education Harding/Adams; La Cumbre; San Marcos
The city's first suburb where most houses claim to be built before 1940. Cottages and single-family homes are perfect for the young families and first time buyers. And the neighborhood is improving as everyday passes. Area close to Cottage Hospital, rest homes, professional buildings, medically zoned offices and professional services, schools, shopping and a quick drive to the Beach.
East Side: 800,000- $5,000,000
One of Santa Barbara’s older neighborhoods, the lovingly maintained cottages and bungalows of the East Side, interspersed with rambling houses, are tucked down hidden lanes, but walking distance to the downtown , State Street, area.
Samarkand $900,000- $2,000,000
Education: Adams Elementary; La Cumbre; San Marcos
One of the lowest population densities in all of Southern California’s rolling hills. This elevated and manicured area boasts underground utilities offering Cottages and ranch style homes. This elevated neighborhood offers views of the mountains, Riviera, and peeks of the ocean.
San Roque $900,000- $3,000,000
Education: Peabody/Monte Vista; Santa Barbara Jr. High/La Colina; Santa Barbara High
"Sunny and Serene" San Roque, as it was labeled by one resident, couldn’t be more spot on. Gently curving streets, parks, beautiful landscaping and architectural variety offer residents a comfortable place to live and raise children. With easy access and convienences of shopping, restraints and more this little gem of a neighborhood has become the up and coming spot to be.
Goleta $550,000 -$ 10,000,000
Ideal for families, Goleta has now become it’s own separate city, with great schools, parks, and spacious homes. Ranch and Californian style developments, offer large lawns and yards, with the occasional park mixed in. There is also a great bike path that runs from Goleta and UCSB all the way to Santa Barbara. In the Goleta foothills the scene changes with many citrus and avocado ranches, sprinkled with roomy estates on larger parcels of land. Area offers the convienences of any bursting little town as well as a new “corporate savvy” shopping complex at Camino Real.
San Marcos Pass/Painted Cave/Paradise Road $700,000- $3,000,000
Along the old stage coach route, with commanding views of the entire coastline, these homes offer a more rural way of life. The homes range from cozy cabins to grander estates, but all with an eye toward nature and the surround Los Padres National Forest.
Santa Ynez Valley $700,000- $20,000,000
From the storybook Danish village of Solvang to the quaint ranch town of Los Alamos, the Santa Ynez Valley offers a pastoral setting for adventure. World-class vineyards co-exist peacefully with pastureland and ranches where cowboys still ride in the open range. “Sideways” anyone?