Buellton offers mountain views in the farmlands of Santa Ynez Valley
Buellton is a quiet, rural community nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, about 45 miles west of Santa Barbara on the California coast. Its residential streets and small-town shops are surrounded by vast stretches of farmland that extend out to rolling mountains on the western horizon. “The reason people choose Buellton is because it’s a small town. It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting,” says Realtor Candice Signa of Berkshire Hathaway, who has lived in Buellton for more than 20 years. “It’s very idyllic. You’ll see buffalo and cattle roaming the hills, and all the restaurants carry produce from local farms.”
The town offers a mix of homes, townhomes and condos
Buellton offers a wide range of housing options, with everything from recently built Traditional homes in planned communities to midcentury-era ranch-style homes and cottages. The town’s residential streets are lined with sidewalks and manicured front lawns, with the occasional towering oak or sycamore tree poking out above the rooftops. Prices for single-family homes typically range from $750,000 to $1.4 million, depending on the size and age of the house. Those looking for something with less upkeep might consider a townhome or a condo, which range in price from $550,000 to $850,000.
Community parks and outdoor recreation are plentiful in the Santa Ynez Valley
Outdoor recreation is never far away; there are six public parks woven into Buellton’s streetscape. Among the most popular is Riverview Park, a leafy green space situated a few hundred yards from the banks of the Santa Ynez River. It has two playgrounds, basketball courts and walking paths that wind their way through the brush and trees at the river’s edge. The park is connected to the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, where native plants come to life during the spring and summer seasons. Outside Buellton, there are plenty of wilderness parks and mountain hiking areas to explore. “We’re so close to the coast, and only a few miles from Nojoqui Falls Park where you can go right up and touch the waterfall,” Signa says.
Wildfires are a risk for residents of Buellton
Buellton heats up in the summertime, with temperatures regularly topping 80 degrees. The region’s dry heat also makes it susceptible to wildfires. Santa Barbara County has experienced more than a dozen major wildfires since 2010 that have forced evacuations and destroyed buildings. The county provides a range of resources for residents to prepare themselves for potential wildfires, including evacuation plans and recommendations for fire-resistant landscaping.
Highly rated schools are a plus for Buellton residents
Students attend schools in the Buellton Union School District, which was named a California Exemplary District in 2019. Students can start at Oak Valley Elementary School, which gets a B rating from Niche. The next step is B-plus-rated Jonata Middle School, which won the California Distinguished Schools award, also in 2019. The last four years are spent at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, which gets an A rating and routinely posts graduation rates above 90%. Several charter and private schools are also available in the area. “There’s an incredible amount of school choice here. It’s phenomenal. My kids went to all three — public, private and charter,” Signa says.
Locals have an array of shops and restaurants at their fingertips
The town may be small, but it has plenty of shops, restaurants and wineries. Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant is a community fixture that’s been serving breakfast and brunch since 1978. There’s also Gino’s Pizza for Italian or La Tequila for classic Mexican fare. Groceries and everyday essentials are found at Albertsons and CVS, while home goods are close by at Tractor Supply Co. Residents can head to the outskirts of town for an array of vineyards and wineries, many of which are tucked away in the countryside with views of the valley’s mountainous surroundings.
Getting around the valley, to Santa Barbara and beyond
Buellton’s remote location means residents will likely need a car to get around. It’s about 4 miles to the neighboring town of Solvang, about 30 miles to Santa Maria and 45 miles to Santa Barbara. “A lot of people live and work right here in town, but it’s also a bit of a commuter’s paradise. It's not a bad drive getting to Santa Barbara or Santa Maria,” Signa says. Many of the community’s residential neighborhoods are walkable and bikeable, but most main roads don’t have bike lanes. The nearest medical center is Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, about 5 miles away.
