$3,286,221Average Value$227Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Mountainous community focused on all things outdoors
Located a few miles north of lively Downtown Santa Barbara, Cielito is a residential community entangled in the dense Los Padres National Forest. “It’s for people who want more space, nature and hiking in the mountains,” says Caleb Overton, local Realtor for Keller Williams, who sells in the area. “People who move here don’t want a neighbor right next door. It may take longer to go to the grocery store or fill up gas, but you’re secluded.” Locals here enjoy taking scenic hikes or relaxing near creeks at Parma Park and passing rows of mature palm, pine and oak foliage along California State Route 192. Medium-sized homes sit near giant estates in Cielito, and properties have panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Folks shop and dine at popular spots south of the area and venture closer to the coast for annual city events and celebrations.
Cielito is a quiet neighborhood tucked near the mountains.
Parma Park can be your new go-to dose of nature.
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Hiking in Parm Park and birdwatching near Coyote Creek
The massive, 200-acre Parma Park is filled with hilly grassland, green eucalyptus trees and six miles of trailhead looping around the park. In July 2024, the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department completed a restoration project of the park’s trail system, adding new signs, native black sage plants and new hiking routes. Locals ride horses on the dirt-packed terrain and watch birds near Coyote and Sycamore Creek tributaries. Hang gliders and paragliders use the open space between El Cielito and Mountain Drive entrance as a landing area.
Cielito residents can also trek through overgrown trees, small streams and several small waterfalls on the 5-mile-long Rattlesnake Canyon Trail near the northwest corner. The trail features sunny and shaded parts along with views of rock formations and the distant tan and green Santa Ynez Mountains. Next to the trail is the 35-acre Skofield Park, which features hiking trails, horseshoe pits and sandstone boulders for rock climbing. Every third Friday of the month, residents can stargaze through the giant telescope at Westmont Observatory.
Cielito Santa Barbara is know for their trails and open areas to take long hikes.
The Sheffield Reservoir in Cielito Santa Barbara has a long trail for locals to hike.
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Ranch-style homes and large estates in Cielito
The streets in Cielito curve through the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, passing steep, paved driveways and sprawling valley oak trees, chaparral shrubs and tall bushes. Some roads, like Foothill Lane, are unpaved and lined with wooden farm fences. Midcentury ranch-style homes with stucco exteriors and shingle roofs are gathered along the eastern portion of Cielito, sitting on lots of up to one acre. These homes feature veranda-shaded pathways leading to front entrances and gardens with desert plants. Prices range between $1.9 million and $2.5 million.
Mid to late 20th-century Mediterranean-styled houses and contemporary homes with flat stone and wooden exteriors sit on one to two-acre lots with balconies overlooking the ocean. Many of these two-story houses are further west and have gated entrances with in-ground pools; prices go from around $3 million to $4.7 million. A handful of opulent mansions with large circle driveways and private walk-through gardens are in secluded, mountainous spots throughout the neighborhood and cost $6 million to more than $8 million.
Homes in Cielito Santa Barbara are spread out, sit along a mountain side and hav stunning views.
There is a selection of Spanish style homes in Cielito Santa Barbara.
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Jogging to the finish line at the Santa Barbara Half Marathon
Cielito locals can sign up for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon held every November, near the coastline about 4 miles south. Runners jog down the palm-tree-lined Cabrillo Boulevard toward the Funk Zone, a lively culture and business district near East Beach. Marathon participants and attendees celebrate with drinks and live music at the Funk Zone Finish Line Festival. The annual Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival in September draws a crowd to the Earl Warren Showgrounds 5 miles southwest. One of only three sea glass festivals happening on the West Coast, the festival features turquoise jewelry and artwork from local artisans, and visitors can enroll in workshops to learn how to make sea glass creations.
Eating local at Santa Barbara Public Market
Cielito residents venture outside the neighborhood for all shopping and dining. Trader Joe’s is 3 miles south on Milpas Street. Santa Barbara Public Market houses tons of locally owned eateries about 2 miles west of the store. Corazon Cocina serves ceviche, tacos and other Mexican food, and Ca’Dario Pizzeria Veloce whips up hand-tossed pizza and marinara meatballs. Shoppers can head east to La Arcada Plaza, a mall in Santa Barbara’s historic cultural arts district. Renaissance Fine Consignment sells designer clothes and accessories at discounted prices, and Lewis and Clark is a small business with quirky home goods and detailed stationary. Paseo Nuevo shopping mall is also not far from the plaza, offering several local and chain stores like Sephora and Aveda.
Third Window Brewery is a hot spot near Cielito.
Corazon Cocina is a Michelin star restaurant near Cielito.
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Artsy programs at Santa Barbara Senior High
The area is served by the Santa Barbara Unified School District, rated the best district in Santa Barbara County by Niche. Kids can start at Roosevelt Elementary, which offers kindergarten through sixth grade, then continue to Santa Barbara Junior High for seventh and eighth grade. Both schools earn a B-plus from Niche. The A-rated Santa Barbara Senior High offers a Multimedia Arts and Design Academy (MAD) where students focus on skills like photography, graphic design and film production. The private Westmont College is located near the eastern border of the neighborhood for post-grad programs in Spanish and Kinesiology. College students volunteer with Cleveland Elementary; the women’s tennis team gives lessons to Cleveland students and the university invites them to compete in track and field events on campus.
Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Barbara challenges and encourages children to learn.
Santa Barbara Junior High School has beautiful architecture.
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities.
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Cruising on the 192
California 192 runs along Cielito's southern border, linking it to neighborhoods like Eucalyptus Hill and East San Roque. Downtown Santa Barbara is a 4-mile drive south via Mountain Drive, which can get congested traffic. The area is heavily car-dependent, but neighbors sometimes bike around the residential streets. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a 3-mile drive southwest, and Santa Barbara Airport is 11 miles west. Airlines fly from Santa Barbara to other West Coast cities like Denver and Portland.
Cielito is a quiet neighborhood tucked near the mountains.
Cielito is full of lush greenery.
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Active Santa Barbara police department and using goats to prevent wildfires
The neighborhood has an overall CAP Crime Index score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is highly involved in all neighborhoods and encourages a Neighborhood Watch in each area. Coffee with a Cop events are also held periodically at cafes around the city, where locals can meet with police officers for candid conversations.
Homes in Cielito may be more at risk for wildfire destruction, especially further north, closer to the Los Padres National Forest. The county suggests that homeowners create a defensible space in front of their property by clearing debris and adding fire-resistant landscaping like rocks and mulch. Air quality may also be poor in the neighborhood because of smoke, and residents are advised to keep windows closed and run their AC with clean filters during these times. To help prevent wildfires, the Santa Barbara County Fire Council hires goats to graze on flammable brush in Parma Park; this helps avoid using chemicals or heavy machinery that may also catch on fire from the heat.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jamie Faletti,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Parma Park
Sheffield Reservoir
Rocky Nook Park
Trails
Playground
Hiking
Skofield Park
Franceschi Park
Trails
Hiking
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Trails
Botanical Gardens
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
38 min drive
Cielito Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cielito, Santa Barbara sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cielito, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $265,000, down 45% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Design. Build. Escape. Unmatched opportunity in El Cielito—Santa Barbara's enclave of architectural distinction and natural beauty. This stunning 52± ac parcel offers sweeping ocean, island, and mountain views with graded building sites for a dreamy refuge. Conceptual design by Mosaic Architects includes a modern residence and a versatile barn. Infrastructure: 1.5'' water meter, power, graded
Set on a gated, oak-studded acre with sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and Santa Ynez Mountains, this pristine custom-built Mediterranean estate offers over 5,000± square feet of refined living just minutes from Montecito and the heart of Santa Barbara. Designed & built in 1997 by renowned Westlake Village architect Stephen V. Harrel, the residence was thoughtfully created
Set in a peaceful pocket of Montecito within the Cold Spring School District, this beautifully remodeled single-level 4BD/3BA home pairs mountain views with timeless design and easy indoor-outdoor living. Reimagined in 2021, the light-filled layout flows from a spacious great room to a dining area and media nook, all opening to a sun-drenched outdoor space and canyon views. The serene primary
Available 6/1/25, long-term, $30K/mo for summer months or $21K/mo off season. Contemporary masterpiece in an exceptional location, conveniently located moments away from downtown Santa Barbara, as well as the charming Upper and Lower Villages of Montecito. Nestled on a sprawling half-acre of meticulously landscaped grounds, the property is adorned with an array of beautiful succulents, mature
Mary WhitneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Available for a summer rental or longterm, this stunning and fully furnished (or unfurnished) Mediterranean estate, built in 2012, offers unparalleled luxury and privacy with a gated entrance on 27 acres surrounded by avocado orchards. With breathtaking ocean and mountain views, this secluded retreat overlooks the picturesque towns of Montecito & Santa Barbara, providing a tranquil escape while
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jamie Faletti,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,602
Median Age
30
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$197,999
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$199,937
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
71.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 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.
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.
