Santa Rosa
$803,274
Average Value
Midcentury ranch-style homes commonly occupied by Cal Poly students
Santa Rosa is mostly made up of midcentury ranch-style homes with four or five bedrooms. “It’s definitely well-established, with older homes,” Pace says. “It was here even before the highway came in.” According to Pace, most of the owner-occupied homes in the neighborhood belong to residents who've lived here for decades, before the neighborhood became popular for student rentals. “If a buyer is looking in this neighborhood specifically today," he says, "they’re probably looking to buy it as an investment property to rent out to Cal Poly students.” Because of the age of the neighborhood, most homes have larger yards than buyers can find in more recently developed parts of San Luis Obispo; lots here range between 6,000 and 9,000 square feet. According to Pace, prices range from $800,000 to $1.1 million, depending on a home's updates, floor plan and lot size. “A lot of the properties may need work before moving in," Pace says, "but a home that's already been updated sells much quicker, and at a higher price."Close to grocery shopping and local eateries, with more options downtown
Most local businesses are found along Foothill Boulevard, in the neighborhood’s northwest corner. Residents can pick up groceries at California Fresh Market or dine at local restaurants like Raku Ramen, which serves Japanese cuisine, and Milestone Tavern, which offers burgers, pizza and craft brews, plus a Sunday brunch menu. Locals can stop in for a specialty latte at Scout Coffee or cater to their sweet tooth at SloDoCo Donuts, open 24/7. Lots of additional eateries and retail can be found downtown. Locally owned shops include Boo Boo Records for vinyl and vintage concert memorabilia, and Finders Keepers for secondhand treasures; national retailers include Barnes & Noble and H&M.Direct access to green space at Santa Rosa Park
The neighborhood is anchored by Santa Rosa Park, which has a large playground for kids, as well as softball fields, basketball courts and a multipurpose field for football and soccer. There's also a popular skate park here, with several large bowls for boarders, as well as a hockey rink.Easy access to Downtown SLO events and museums
Neighborhood residents are within a mile of Downtown San Luis Obispo events and museums. Every Thursday evening, the Downtown SLO Farmers Market sells fresh produce and locally made goods, and on Friday evenings during the summer, downtown’s Mission Plaza hosts the Central Coast’s largest free concert series, Music in the Plaza. Residents can also visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, showcasing work in a variety of mediums from regional artists.School-aged students attend the county’s highest-rated district
Students here are part of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which Niche gives an overall A rating and names the best district in the county. Students can attend the A-minus-rated Bishops Peak Elementary and the A rated Laguna Middle. At San Luis Obispo High, which also earns an A, students can enroll in career courses in fields ranging from arts, media and entertainment to education, child development and family services.Bikeable neighborhood near major highways and public transportation
Santa Rosa is bordered to the west by Highway 1 and to the south by Highway 101, providing residents easy access to destinations along the California Coast. Neighborhood streets are also lined with SLO Transit bus stops, though residents are a bike ride away from both Cal Poly and downtown. Adventist Health Sierra Vista is right in the neighborhood, and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is 5 miles south.
Written By
Lauren Schott
Photography Contributed By
Elliott McCracken
Video By
Daric Clarke
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Alicia Bartlett
Alicia Bartlett
RE/MAX Parkside Real Estate
(805) 591-4192
112 Total Sales
1 in Santa Rosa
$510,000 Price
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Courtney Huckabay
Courtney Huckabay
Comet Realty
(805) 519-8092
53 Total Sales
1 in Santa Rosa
$721,000 Price
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Erik Berg-Johansen
Erik Berg-Johansen
Responds QuicklyRichardson Sotheby's International Realty
(805) 321-1851
84 Total Sales
2 in Santa Rosa
$491K - $538K Price Range
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Farid Shahid
Farid Shahid
Responds QuicklyEighty20 Group
(747) 264-9993
72 Total Sales
1 in Santa Rosa
$585,000 Price
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Lindsey Harn
Lindsey Harn
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno
(805) 706-8803
751 Total Sales
5 in Santa Rosa
$538K - $1.1M Price Range
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Susie Brans
Susie Brans
Richardson Sotheby's International Realty
(805) 549-5710
152 Total Sales
9 in Santa Rosa
$505K - $653K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Santa Rosa Park
Transit
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
187
Median Year Built
1985
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,304
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,137
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,587
Median Age
25
Population Density
18 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
1.3%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$25,227
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$34,127
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
48.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.4%
% Population in Labor Force
51.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
23''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
92
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
67
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
36
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Alta Vista
Suburban neighborhood tucked between the Cal Poly Campus and Downtown SLO
Downtown San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo's trendy and walkable urban core
Foothill
A popular SLO neighborhood at the base of Cerro San Luis just north of downtown
San Luis Drive
Quiet, secluded suburban community next to San Luis Obispo High School
Upper Monterey
Popular with locals, tourists and Cal Poly students, near Downtown San Luis Obispo
Bishops Knoll
A well-established SLO suburb within biking distance of downtown and Cal Poly
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