Old Town Carpinteria
Neighborhood in Carpinteria, California
Santa Barbara County 93013
Early 20th-century bungalows and large beachfront estates
Throughout Old Town, eucalyptus, palm trees and native shrubbery add a little greenery to the otherwise open streetscapes. Single-family homes are mostly found on Old Town's north side, walking distance from the shops and restaurants on Linden Avenue. Set close together and built between 1900 and 1930, most of these homes have tiny yards and are either two- to three-bedroom minimal traditional houses that range from $600,000 to $1 million, or well-maintained Craftsman bungalows that range from $1.6 million to $2 million. Northwest of the public beaches, five-bedroom secluded beachfront estates are separated into several small gated communities; these properties vary in style, size and age, though many were built in the 1980s on multi-acre lots with Contemporary architectural elements like floor-to-ceiling windows, flat rooflines and a mixture of wood, stone and other materials. Prices also range widely, mostly dependent on lot size, from $2 million to over $20 million, but most range from $3 million to $5 million.Low-rise condo complexes and townhouse communities built between 1960 and 1990 are set close to the shoreline; most of these one- and two-bedroom units range from $500,000 to $1 million, but units set right on the beach range up to $2 million. On the neighborhood's west side, a few mobile home communities have two-bedroom manufactured homes that range from $600,000 to $900,000.
State and city-owned beaches on the Pacific Coast
Carpinteria City Beach is a favorite spot for Old Town locals to go sunbathing, swimming, kayaking and surfing; snowbirds flock here in the colder months. Though pets aren’t allowed on the beach's main stretch, there's a dog-friendly zone on the north end. The adjacent Carpinteria State Beach has a large interactive play area with wildlife statues inspired by the Chumash tribe, who originally inhabited this area; there are also camping areas for visitors. Northwest of the beaches, the 110-acre Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park is a wetland sanctuary for more than 200 bird species and many rare plants, and a popular place to watch the sunset over the Santa Ynez Mountains. Next to the local Amtrak station, the Carpinteria Garden Park has raised beds that can be leased by locals to grow their own produce and flowers.Carpinteria High School Athletic programs
Local students can start school at Aliso Elementary, then advance to Carpinteria Middle, both of which are rated B-minus by Niche. At the B-plus-rated Carpinteria High, there are athletic teams for water polo, tennis and volleyball; the football program, though, holds the Southern California record for most consecutive league wins, and has won six championships in their section (go, Warriors!).Live music and guacamole stands at the California Avocado Festival
Carpinteria residents often gather for events along Linden Street. The 3-day California Avocado Festival is held annually on the first weekend of October, drawing guacamole and music lovers with food vendors, artisanal products, and multiple stages' worth of live reggae, blues, and rock bands. Holiday parades held in December and on the Fourth of July bring out the whole town to see floats sponsored by local organizations. “Whenever there’s a parade, 50 percent of the town is in it, and 50 percent is in the crowd watching,” says Terra Furuta, an employee at the Carpinteria Community Library. The Fourth of July celebration is accompanied by the Rods & Roses Car Show, which features both classic and muscle cars, and donates its proceeds to local charities.Organizations like the Carpinteria Community Library and Carpinteria Arts Center enhance Old Town's close-knit and neighborly vibe; both put together programming for local kids and families, including summer camps and workshops. Other gathering spots include the Carpinteria Valley Baptist Church, established in 1969 in a small Victorian-inspired cathedral.
Traveling the California Coast by train or on the 101
U.S. Route 101 borders Old Town on the north, leading 12 miles north along the coast to Santa Barbara and 85 miles south to Los Angeles; the neighborhood's location makes it popular with commuters from these cities. “Carpinteria tends to be a little more affordable than Santa Barbara and is a great location if you still need to access LAX or other parts of Los Angeles,” says Ruth Ann Bowe, associate broker with Village Properties. Locals can easily get around Carpinteria on foot or by bike using pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes.Old Town Carpinteria is bisected by train tracks, and a small Amtrak station on Linden Avenue serves the Pacific Surfliner, which travels the California Coast from San Diego to San Luis Obispo; trains can be heard in the neighborhood throughout the day. Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District’s Route 20 bus line stops on Carpinteria Avenue before circling back to downtown Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is the closest major medical center, about 13 miles away. About 20 miles away, Santa Barbara Airport offers regional flights, while Los Angeles International, 86 miles away, has a broader selection.
Boutiques, cafes and breweries on Linden Avenue
Linden Avenue is Carpinteria's main shopping and dining corridor, lined with palm trees and low, sun-bleached storefronts that house antique stores and local haunts like Murphy’s Vinyl Shack. The casual Esau’s Café serves all-day breakfast and lunch, as well as ethically sourced coffee from El Salvador. Teddy’s by the Sea offers specialty cocktails, fresh seafood lots of outdoor seating, and Island Brewing Company is one of several spots selling craft selections like the Tee Time Pilsner. The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market is held here every Thursday afternoon; locals can also get groceries at the nearby Smart & Final Extra.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Michelle Heckman
Responds QuicklyCompass
(805) 514-2891
5 Total Sales
1 in Old Town Carpinteria
$8,000,000 Price
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Linda Hutchings
Responds QuicklyThe ONE Luxury Properties
(805) 918-8101
105 Total Sales
1 in Old Town Carpinteria
$649,000 Price
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Jamie Faletti
Responds QuicklyCompass
(805) 837-1595
29 Total Sales
3 in Old Town Carpinteria
$715K - $875K Price Range
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Lisa Lee
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
(805) 892-6322
20 Total Sales
5 in Old Town Carpinteria
$533K - $1.6M Price Range
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Susan Pate
Compass
(805) 617-1044
18 Total Sales
3 in Old Town Carpinteria
$11M - $23.8M Price Range
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Laura Darrah
Responds QuicklyLIV Sotheby's International
(805) 823-1692
151 Total Sales
1 in Old Town Carpinteria
$974,000 Price
Schools
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Old Town Carpinteria | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 5 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Town Carpinteria Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Town Carpinteria, Carpinteria sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town Carpinteria, Carpinteria over the last 12 months is $1,063,750, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.