Goleta

Set in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Eastern Goleta Valley is around 5 miles west Santa Barbara. It has a low-key beach-town vibe and isn’t as densely populated as its high-profile neighbor. “In Goleta, you’ve got all the amenities of Santa Barbara; you’re close to the beach, shops, everything you want, but at a much lower price point,” says Keller Williams agent Caleb Overton, a resident of the area since 1999. Goleta has a good school system and is rich in natural beauty and green space. There is a slight diversity of housing in East Goleta Valley, which is mostly single-family, with pockets of condos and townhomes. “You’re hitting around the $1.3 million mark here; it’s closer to the $1.8 million market in Santa Barbara,” Overton says. “A lot of the inventory was built in the 1950s and '60s, all the way up to the 1980s, and then you’ve got new construction.” Homes in East Goleta Valley include mostly stucco ranch-style houses, cottages and Spanish-inspired homes. Single-family pricing is between $900,000 for about 1,400 square feet needing renovation and over $5 million for something larger and fully updated. Condos and townhomes are priced between $600,000 and $2 million. “The proximity to the university makes this a great area for investors because you have a huge supply of people looking to rent in the area,” Overton says. Families with children in Eastern Goleta Valley are served by Goleta Union Elementary School District, Santa Barbara Unified and San Marcos Unified School District, which earn an A-minus, A and A-plus from Niche, respectively. All three schools in the public-school pipeline earn an A from Niche. Foothill Elementary is in the top 10% of all public elementary schools in the state, according to Niche. Goleta Valley Junior High School is the second-best middle school in the Santa Barbara area. San Marcos High School has career technical education in hospitality, entertainment, health science and product development, among other programs. Eastern Goleta Valley is just east of the University of California, Santa Barbara, a major employer in the area known for its science and engineering programs. The city of Goleta keeps residents active and engaged with several signature events each year. The Goleta Valley Historical Society’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July is one of the biggest annual events, attracting adults and children of all ages. Neighbors gather in August for Goleta’s Dam Dinner, a free event with local food trucks where people eat and enjoy beautiful views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. The city’s signature event is the Goleta Lemon Festival, which takes place each September at Girsh Park. A pie-eating contest, classic car show and vendor booths are among the festival highlights. East Goleta Valley has unpaved walking trails and paved bike paths perfect for hiking, biking and dog walking. More Mesa Beach is one of the most popular outdoor spaces in the region. Sitting on the Pacific coast, the narrow strip of sand mostly disappears at high tide and is only accessible by a steep stairway down from the cliffs. Tucker's Grove Park is an option further inland known as a gathering place for picnics; the trail following San Antonio Creek is another popular spot. Rhoads Park is a much smaller park, just over an acre in size, with a playground and benches. The neighborhood also has a lot of designated green spaces like Tarragona, Tabano Hollow and University Circle open space. There are a few commercial business districts in East Goleta Valley, including Calle Real, which runs adjacent to U.S. Route 101. There is an Albertsons and Trader Joe’s for stocking up on groceries and essentials. The Calle Real Shopping Center has a few dining options. Backyard Bowls is an eco-friendly health food option offering acai bowls and smoothies, and Meum Fan Thai Café has a laid-back atmosphere with great drunken noodles. South on Hollister Avenue, Crushcakes & Cafe is locally owned and operated since 2008. They serve scratch-made breakfast, lunch, coffee and cupcakes. Eastern Goleta Valley is situated on the 101, which runs north to the Bay Area and south through Santa Barbara, about a 10-minute drive, and then south to Los Angeles. The Santa Barbara Airport is about 4 miles west via the 101 or Ward Memorial Boulevard, and airport noise is a consideration on the west side of town. Most residents have cars, but bus stops along Hollister and Fairview avenues are operated by the Metropolitan Transit District. Set near the mountains with thousands of acres of natural areas, wildfire risk is real in Eastern Goleta Valley. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department monitors the area and operates an online and text alert system to keep residents aware. Increasingly hot summers capped by dry winds and droughts are a risk to homebuyers in the region.