Scenic community between the Pacific Coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains
Set 95 miles north of Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast, Santa Barbara offers golden-sand beaches and towering palm trees, a graceful downtown full of Spanish Mission-inspired architecture, and hiking trails that lead north through the Santa Ynez Mountains. The city sits at the center of what's known as the American Riviera — a coastal area that stretches south to Carpinteria and north to Goleta — and a regular flow of tourists help support dozens of local resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as area wineries. Residents here must contend with high and ever-rising housing costs, and they're generally employed by either these tourism-related businesses, the University of California Santa Barbara, or the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Early Spanish explorers to Santa Barbara included Father Junipero Serra, who established the first Spanish Mission here in 1786; today, the Old Mission Santa Barbara still remains, one of California's finest examples of Mission architecture. Though a 1925 earthquake destroyed much of the city, theand Old Mission survived, as did several Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings, like the elegant Santa Barbara County Courthouse; today these historic structures are part of the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District.
Overview of the breathtaking harbor in West Beach.
There are great views along the Jesusita Trail in Foothill.
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Property values continuously on the rise
Santa Barbara's housing market is limited, and many homeowners hold onto their properties for decades, further boosting home values and demand. As of fall 2024, the median home price here is about $2 million, up 2% since last year.
Neighborhoods here are often differentiated by topography and views; for instance, the Riviera neighborhood is set up in the foothills, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, while the relatively flat Mesa region is within walking distance of the beach. Carefully regulated zoning laws ensure that no neighborhood lacks scenery, but also place limits on new construction. “Not being allowed to build higher than three stories lets everyone see the ocean and the mountains," says Santa Barbara native author and historian Erin Graffy. "There are no neon signs in Pueblo Viejo. McDonald’s isn’t even allowed to build its golden arches. Zoning is what makes the city beautiful.”
While most of the city is pretty densely packed, multi-acre estates are found along its northernmost edges. Most homes are surrounded by a botanical garden's worth of native plants and trees. Eucalyptus and gardenias scent the air throughout the city, while juniper pines, date and canary palms and magnolia trees shade the windy, hilly streets to the East.
Large estates are scattered throughout the Hope Ranch neighborhood.
The Riviera itself is a sight to be seen.
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Beaches, mountain trails and other green spaces
The city is home to 52 parks, ranging from the sprawling, 230-acre Elings Park to smaller greenspaces that offer playgrounds and host community gatherings. In the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the roughly 1.7-million-acre Los Padres National Forest encompasses several terrains and ecosystems, and offers both hiking and camping up north. Surfing in the Pacific Ocean is a year-round hobby in Santa Barbara, and especially popular at Leadbetter Beach and West Beach, which lie on either side of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.
Historic attractions include the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which is over 100 years old and home to 6,500 varieties of native plants.
Locals head to East Beach to surf a good beach break.
Santa Barabra is boardered by large mountains.
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State Street shopping and renowned performance venues
Centered on State Street's brick-paved and palm-tree-lined sidewalks, Downtown Santa Barbara is the shopping, dining and cultural center of the city. Spanish-style storefronts with pale stucco exteriors and terracotta roof tiles house boutiques, cafes and restaurants, as well as local pubs and cocktail bars. National chain stores are common along State Street and in the open-air Paseo Nuevo mall, while some locally owned businesses have been here for a decade or more. Cultural venues downtown include the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and The Lobero Theatre, founded here in 1873.
Farther north are more cultural venues, including the Riviera Theatre, which hosts the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and the outdoor, 4,500-seat Santa Barbara Bowl, which regularly hosts famous musicians like Bob Dylan. West of downtown, the hip, trendy Funk Zone includes tasting rooms for 20 area wineries, while resorts and upscale eateries are found along the shore.
Annual events are held in Santa Barbara throughout the year, both on the waterfront and at area parks. The Fourth of July Fireworks Show at West Beach is one of the city's most popular celebrations, while the Harbor and Seafood Festival, held every October at the Santa Barbara Harbor, offers free boat rides and every kind of seafood imaginable. Farther inland, the Santa Barbara Fair and Expo opens at the Earl Warren Showgrounds each April, with carnival rides, games, food and live music.
There are many historical buildings in Downtown Santa Barbara.
See a show at The Granada in Downtown Santa Barbara.
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Commuting to Los Angeles on the 101
The Santa Ynez Mountains border the city to the north, limiting roads and passageways in that direction. “The geography is for us and against us,” says Graffy. “The Channel Islands and mountains protect us from extreme weather and crowds, but there’s only one major route in and out.” That major route is U.S. Route 101, which runs parallel to Santa Barbara's coastline. The 101 (as it's known by Californians) leads 95 miles south to Los Angeles and 350 miles north to San Francisco; depending on traffic, the drive to L.A. can take two to three hours, and the drive to San Francisco can take five to six hours.
Santa Barbara's strong network of bike trails, which includes pedestrian bridges over the highway, make it easy to get around without a car. The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District has 20 bus routes, some of which venture to neighboring areas like Montecito and Carpinteria. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is about 10 miles north in Goleta, with five airlines traveling to 23 U.S. destinations; the much larger Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is roughly 100 miles south.
A-rated public schools and beachfront universities
The Santa Barbara Unified School District scores an overall A from Niche. Serving more than 12,000 students, the district has 11 elementary schools, six middle schools, and five high schools; standouts include the A-plus-rated Dos Pueblos Senior High, which houses a four-year engineering academy. Top-rated private options include the Anacapa School for junior and senior high, which offers outdoor excursions and electives like hiking and surfing.
The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) is actually set about 10 miles north in Goleta, beside the ocean; in 2024, Forbes ranked UCSB the fifth-best public university in the country, and the school has produced six Nobel laureates. Santa Barbara itself is home to private universities like Antioch and Westmont, and to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), part of California's well-regarded junior college system; all graduates of SBCC are guaranteed admission to UCSB.
Santa Barbara Junior High School is known for its exceptional architecture..
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities.
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Comparatively high per capita crime rates
According to the FBI, the Santa Barbara Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 145 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents. California reports an overall violent crime rate of 99 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 196 incidents per 100,000 residents. The city’s booming tourism industry contributes to high per capita rates, and most reported crimes occur downtown. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office reports that serious crimes decreased by 17% across the county between 2022 and 2023, while other offenses decreased by 21%.
Environmental risks and wildfires
Santa Barbara residents enjoy sunny skies and warm weather year-round, with average temperatures in the mid-70s during the summer months. Thanks to cooling winds from the ocean, however, the Mesa region on the coastline is often a touch cooler and more prone to fog.
During the January and February rainy season, there is occasional flooding along the coast on the city's east side; the rest of the shoreline is protected by steep bluffs. Those living in special flood hazard areas designated by FEMA are required to purchase flood insurance.
The city’s north side, set in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, is prone to forest fires. The Wildfire Resiliency Project is an ongoing effort by the Parks and Recreation Department and Fire Department to create barriers between open spaces and residential areas while also eradicating high-fire-risk invasive species to help prevent forest fires in the future.
In 2024, the city completed its construction of a massive solar panel project, located on top of a downtown parking garage. Moving forward, this system will be used to supply electricity to businesses in Downtown Santa Barbara.
There are multiple trails along the Jesusita Trail in Foothill.
Cielito is a small neighborhood tucked away in the mountains.
Linda Parizo is a highly accomplished real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, specializing in listing and sales. She has been consistently recognized as a top producer, earning numerous awards and accolades in her 35-plus years in sales and marketing. Linda continues to be honored as a member of the President's Circle, International Diamond Society and The Coldwell Banker Sterling Society.
Linda's background in design and merchandising enables her to develop specific staging and marketing plans for her clients' homes, maximizing marketability and resulting in higher prices in shorter periods of time. She employs a wide range of marketing techniques, with a primary focus on internet marketing, using enhanced listings on popular platforms such as Homes.com, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Yahoo. Linda also utilizes professional photography, Youtube advertising, social media, TV and online promotions, Single-property websites, and Luxury Property Brochures to effectively market her clients' properties.
Linda is known for her genuine passion for the real estate business and her exceptional negotiating skills. Her clients appreciate her honest, hardworking, and aggressive-yet-friendly approach. Linda attends all inspections and appraisals, negotiating any requested repairs, and her clients find her extremely accessible with great follow-through and attention to detail.
As a member of the Coldwell Banker President's Circle Elite and International Diamond Society, Linda is at the top of the Coldwell Banker network of elite agents. She has earned her GRI, the highest level of education a realtor can obtain, and her CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert, enabling her to negotiate with banks on behalf of distressed property owners. Linda is also a Certified Negotiator and an ePro, trained in real estate technology. Outside of work, Linda is a lifelong resident of Ventura County and has extensive knowledge of the community and schools, both public and private.
She is an active member of The National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors. Linda and her husband Tom, a retired educator and athletic director, have raised their two children in the area and have been active in many local groups, donating their time to help make their community and schools a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
