$2,399,920Average Value$1,840Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Tiny Santa Barbara County area with vineyards and farmland
Set between Los Olivos and Solvang, the small community of Ballard is known for its housing variety and nearby wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. “It’s like two streets. You blink, and you’re done,” says Mia Huerta, Realtor for Better Homes and Gardens, who sells in the north part of the county. “But it’s not something to miss.” She says that many families relocate here for the well-rated schools and proximity to parks like Hans Christian Andersen Park in Solvang. Along with multi-acre lots with scenic hilly backdrops, residents experience a slower-paced lifestyle with less through traffic and just a few local businesses in the area. The community also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Ballard is located within farm country.
Ballard is located in wine country.
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Farmhouses with multiple acres on outskirts of Ballard
Ballard has a mix of paved residential streets and narrow county roads in more rural areas. Drivers can see long stretches of split-rail fencing around sloping farmland while cruising along Alamo Pintado Road, a major thoroughfare in the community.
The housing market here is tight. “It’s rare that something comes up for sale in Ballard. People move there and stay,” Huerta says. Ranch-style homes and cottages spanning the 20th century are in the center of Ballard. These properties usually have covered patios and yard space for a garden or tool shed. Prices can range between $1 million and $2 million, typically based on lot size or square footage.
Larger ranch-style houses and farmhouses built between the 1960s and ‘80s, along with modern early 2000s mansions, are spread throughout the outer parts of Ballard. These 4- to 5-acre properties are closer to local vineyards, and many have in-ground pools, horse stables and groves of fruit trees. Prices for these properties fall between $2.5 million and $4 million, with expansive homes on more acreage falling in the $5 million range.
Many large estates fill the hilltops around Ballard.
Farmhouses are another popular home style in Ballard.
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Plenty of club choices at Santa Ynez Valley Union High
The community is zoned for a few school districts. Nearly half of residents begin at Ballard Elementary, scoring an A from Niche, in the Ballard School District. The eastern half is served by the College School District, with College Elementary for preschool through first grade and Santa Ynez Elementary for second through eighth grade. College Elementary is unrated, but Santa Ynez receives an A-minus grade. For another middle-grade school option, residents can send their kids to Santa Ynez Valley Charter, which earns a B-plus. The A-rated Santa Ynez Valley Union High has several student clubs focusing on activities like beach volleyball and pickleball.
Santa Ynez School is near Ballard.
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is close to Ballard.
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Tons of vineyards within driving distance
For cured meats and fresh produce, locals can head a few miles north to Los Olivos Grocery or south to El Rancho Market, which has a sushi station and butcher shop. Local vineyards and wineries also dot the community. Rideau Vineyard welcomes walk-in tasting tours in its cottage-like building, and Lincourt Vineyards has designated spots for sipping wine and picnicking on food from Bob’s Well Bread Bakery and Café. Los Olivos Wine Merchant and Café is a 2-mile drive north, serving specialty pizza and butternut squash ravioli. Solvang is the closest city, with mom-and-pop shops including Treats Clothing Boutique for women's fashions and Bee and Co., which sells funky décor. For more retail chains, many residents drive about 7 miles southwest to Buellton.
Bob's Well Bread is a staple in Ballard.
Lincourt Vineyards is a popular winery in Ballard.
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Picturesque views at Foxen Canyon Ranch
Along with lounging at local wineries, locals travel outside the area for recreation. Located 9 miles north in Los Olivos, Foxen Canyon Ranch has over 200 acres of lush terrain in the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Visitors can access hiking trails that pass lavender farms, mature oak trees and mountain backdrops, and, unsurprisingly, many locals use the space for weddings and special events. Families can head farther south toward Solvang for Sunny Fields Park, with a castle-themed playground, a baseball diamond and plenty of open space. With a white castle arch at the entrance, the close-by Hans Christian Andersen Park has a skate park with half pipes, a rock-climbing wall on the playground, and several shaded, walkable areas.
Hans Christian Andersen Park is near Ballard.
Sunny Fields Park is a popular park near Ballard.
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Hopping on the Pass or using Alamo Pintado Road
California State Route 154 — better known as San Marcos Pass Road or “the Pass” as locals call it — runs along the eastern side, giving access to neighboring areas like Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. Solvang’s downtown area is roughly 4 miles south via the two-lane Alamo Pintado Road. Ballard is a car-dependent community, but there are bike lanes on Alamo Pintado and North Refugio Road. Ballard also has one point on the corner of Baseline Avenue and Alamo Pintado where Santa Ynez Valley Transit buses make regular stops. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is a 3-mile drive south, and Santa Barbara Airport is 35 miles southeast with flights to cities like Las Vegas, Denver and Atlanta.
Massive bonfire at Solvang’s Christmas Tree Burn
Around the winter holidays, Ballard residents often visit Solvang for Julefest. The downtown is illuminated with lights and music around its Danish-inspired buildings and establishments. Visitors can sign up for the Solvang Trolley, visit Santa at Solvang Park or watch one of the largest fire safety demonstrations on the Central Coast at the Christmas Tree Burn. Huerta says it’s like a giant bonfire where people gather for food and live music. In June, Los Olivos hosts its annual Jazz and Olive Festival, usually at Stolpman Vineyards. Crowds enjoy olive-centered dishes while listening to jazz musicians and vocalists, some even Grammy-nominated.
Solvang Park near Ballard has a large field.
Solvang Park is located in the Christmas themed town of Solvang not too far from Ballard.
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Wildfire and flooding factors in Ballard
Because of its location near the dry climate of the Santa Ynez Valley, Ballard is at risk of wildfires. Santa Barbara County offers several tips for residents on its website, such as keeping an emergency kit with food and water and following the county’s fire department’s guidelines. Per the department’s Ready, Set, Go! Action Plan, homeowners should create a defensible space by using noncombustible mulch around the property and removing extra needles, branches and leaves from decks.
Wildfires can also cause the ground to become unstable, leading to a higher chance of flooding, predominantly in warmer months. Sandbags or similar materials can be used to divert water and limit erosion on properties. The county encourages people to sign up for ReadySBC text alerts to stay updated on any adverse weather.
There is a Santa Barbara fire station close to Ballard.
Ballard has easy access to many cities along the central coast.
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Written By
Hannah Baggenstoss
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Palacios
Video By
Matt Doe
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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On average, homes in Ballard, CA sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Ballard, CA over the last 12 months is $3,000,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ballard Country Estate - Located in a central yet private setting in the Santa Ynez Valley on 8.33 acres, this property offers everything your family and friends need for weekend or full-time luxury living. The private entrance brings you into a park-like setting with ancient Oak trees, lush landscaping and filtered views of the area. The elegant ''Farmhouse'' style main home boasts sophisticated
Privately located at the end of a peaceful country lane, this gated modern farmhouse offers sophistication, warmth, and privacy in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Set within the sought-after Ballard School District and just two blocks from Bob's Well Bread & downtown Ballard. The main house spans approx. 3,356+/- sq ft and the guest house is 768+/- sq ft. The main house includes 3 bedrooms,
Laura DrammerBerkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties
Available beginning 10/1/25 for 3 month lease (inquire for available months). Nestled within the serene expanse of the Santa Ynez Valley lies an exquisite rambling ranch-style 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home, offering an unparalleled blend of luxury, privacy, and natural beauty. Situated on a sprawling 5-acre estate, this residence serves as a peaceful retreat, enveloped by the tranquil ambiance of its
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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