East Beach
Beach volleyball tournaments and biking near Chase Palm Park
Locals have about 2 miles of white sandy beachfront to explore in the community. Beach volleyball is the activity of choice here, with over 20 courts to access and the East Beach Volleyball Academy, where kids and adults play in AVP America tournaments and get private lessons. The acre-Chase Palm Park features a shipwreck-themed playground, bike pathways and open grassy areas next to a scenic pond. The park hosts a free city-run concert series and is a popular wedding rental site. Skateboarders can try new tricks at Skater’s Point, and Dwight Murphy Field hosts youth soccer games and has a fitness training circuit course. In 2024, local nonprofit Gwendolyn Strong Foundation announced plans to build Santa Barbara’s first all-inclusive in the field, with specialized equipment for people of all abilities. Arguably one of East Beach’s most beloved attractions, the 30-acre Santa Barbara Zoo sits on the northern border. The park is home to more than 146 animal species like penguins, giraffes and native California condors. The zoo also features the Kallman Family Play Area with kid-sized dinosaur eggs and a train that travels around the park.
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Condos mixed with single-family homes in East Beach
The well-kept streets in East Beach are laid out in a grid canopied by Monterey cypress, live oak and mature palm trees. Homes here consist of single and multi-family homes within walking distance of the beachfront. Late 1990s Spanish-influenced condos and townhomes with salmon and tan-color exteriors are found in pockets in the east and western sides of East Beach in gated communities like El Escorial Villas. These properties feature balconies, community pools and fitness centers. Prices range between roughly $650,000 and $850,000 for one-bedroom units and are priced from $1.5 million to $1.8 million for two-bedroom homes, with those facing the ocean on the higher side. Some residents should also expect to pay upwards of $650 in monthly HOA fees, which cover earthquake insurance, grounds maintenance and security. A mix of early 20th-century and midcentury Craftsman bungalows and ranch homes are scattered throughout the community. These two to three-bedroom properties feature narrow cement driveways, tiny front porches, and white picket fences. Prices range from $1.3 to about $ 3 million dollars.
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Halloween fun at Santa Barbara Zoo
In October, families can check out the week-long Boo at the Zoo event at Santa Barbara Zoo where kids can trick-or-treat in different exhibits, conduct mad science experiments and play in bounce houses. The Funk Zone, a lively district near the western border of East Beach, hosts bimonthly wine, dine and shop events where dozens of local businesses stay open late. Visitors can munch on snacks while browsing through jewelry and art vendors.Local shopping and dining within a few miles drive
East Beach residents head to the independently owned Tri-Country Produce for organic fruits and vegetables and a large selection of juice. The outdoor shopping mall, Paseo Nuevo, is a 2-mile drive west of the neighborhood full of dozens of small clothing boutiques like Bungalow West and Elenita. Shoppers can also sip on drinks from 805 Boba or eat a soft-served treat from Tondi Gelato’s in the mall’s bamboo-decorated courtyard. Within East Beach, the high-rated Reunion Kitchen serves comfort food like chicken pot pie and short ribs right by the ocean, and nearby Convivo cooks classic Italian meals in its upscale, arched-ceiling dining room. At night, folks can head to the area's east side for drinks at Corks n’ Crowns in the Funk Zone.
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Impressive athletics at Santa Barbara Senior High
The area is served by the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Kids start at Cleveland Elementary, which offers kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. Santa Barbara Junior High covers grades 7 and 8 and scores a B-plus. The A-rated Santa Barbara Senior High offers a Sports Medicine Pathway where students can take courses geared towards physics and health throughout their high school career. The school is also known for its athletics department, where Baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews and NFL star Randall Cunningham got their start.
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Walking and bike-friendly streets in East Beach
U.S. Route 101 travels across East Beach’s northern border, giving access to nearby neighborhoods like Montecito. Downtown Santa Barbara is 2 miles northwest via South Quarantina Street. Biking is a popular form of transportation, and folks can access bike lanes on roads like Cabrillo and Milpas. Akers says traffic only picks up on the weekends when people leave town and during the summer when tourists come around. The area is also highly walkable, with paved sidewalks and crosswalks throughout. Folks can hop on Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses, which also make regular stops around the area. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Santa Barbara Airport are within 11 miles of the area via U.S. 101. Residents can get flights to major West Coast cities like Phoenix and Seattle at Santa Barbara Airport.
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Preparing for coastal emergencies
Akers says East Beach is in a tsunami warning zone, though they're unlikely to experience one due to nearby channel islands providing a barrier. Santa Barbara County’s website explains that most tsunamis are caused by large earthquakes below the ocean floor or by certain types of weather, and the county recommends coastal homeowners know their evacuation zone before an event occurs. Residents are also encouraged to register for Ready SBC alerts for live updates during emergencies.
Written By
Hannah Baggenstoss
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Palacios
Video By
Mary Desmond
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Cristal Clarke
Cristal Clarke
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
(805) 837-1565
228 Total Sales
2 in East Beach
$1.6M - $1.7M Price Range
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PJ Williams
PJ Williams
Responds QuicklyGoodwin & Thyne Properties
(805) 953-7408
22 Total Sales
2 in East Beach
$900K - $1.9M Price Range
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John Thyne
John Thyne
Responds QuicklyGoodwin&Thyne Properties
(805) 617-1259
48 Total Sales
1 in East Beach
$2,250,000 Price
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Lisa McCann
Lisa McCann
Requisite Luxury Properties
(805) 892-6344
15 Total Sales
1 in East Beach
$775,000 Price
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Kendrick Guehr
Kendrick Guehr
Keller Williams Realty Santa Barbara
(805) 618-1469
102 Total Sales
2 in East Beach
$1.3M - $1.6M Price Range
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Ron Pineda
Ron Pineda
Keller Williams Realty
(949) 998-5287
24 Total Sales
1 in East Beach
$775,000 Price
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Chase Palm Park
Andree Clark Bird Refuge
Dwight Murphy Playground
Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center
Chase Palm Park
Shipwreck Playground
Cabrillo Bike Path
Dwight Murphy Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | East Beach | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
East Beach Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Beach, Santa Barbara sell after 7 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in East Beach, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $432,990, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$484,990
Median Sale Price
$432,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$464,990
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$591,730
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$545,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$269
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
365
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1991
Months of Supply
12.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,353
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,317
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
692
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,009
Open Houses
-
Saturday, Aug 21 - 4pm
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
1,399
Median Age
48
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
9.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$132,291
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$141,904
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
71.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79
/ 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.
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Lower West
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Riviera
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Downtown Santa Barbara
Stylish homes close to boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and beaches
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