$2,703,937Average Value$2,054Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Walkable community bordered by beaches and green spaces
Right beside the Pacific Ocean, 3 miles south of downtown Santa Barbara, East Mesa features narrow sandy beaches that are walking distance from most residents' homes, and more moderate summer temperatures than the rest of the city. Set two miles off the US-101 freeway, East Mesa is as walkable and bikeable as neighboring West Mesa and Alta Mesa, but it's set apart by its proximity to Shoreline Park and Leadbetter Beach, two of the coast's most popular outdoor spaces. With well-maintained midcentury homes, ocean views and highly rated schools, as well as locally owned eateries and markets, East Mesa is in high demand.
Enjoy nature at Shoreline Park in East Mesa.
There are many well kept gardens in East Mesa.
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Shoreline Park and Leadbetter Beach within walking distance
Shoreline Park is one of the most popular spots in East Mesa, featuring 15 acres of grassy fields set between the coast and Shoreline Drive, which includes a playground for small children. A steep bluff separates Shoreline Park from Ledbetter Beach, a long, thin, white-sand beach popular among catamaran sailors and windsurfers. The rest of the neighborhood is bordered by One Thousand Steps Beach, a narrow shoreline that can be accessed by traversing a tall staircase over the bluff. Further inland from the shore, La Mesa Park offers a large playground with a swing set and grassy fields shaded by tall mature trees.
Shoreline Park is located cliffside in East Mesa.
Have a picnic at Ledbetter Beach in East Mesa.
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Midcentury cottages and Spanish Revival influences
Most homes here were built in the 1950s and ’60s, either Spanish Revival-style properties with white stucco exteriors and terra cotta barrel-tile roofs (similar to those on the nearby Holy Cross Church, a neighborhood landmark since 1958) or California Cottages with low-slung roofs that overhang front porches. A three-bedroom cottage can sell for $1.9 million, while a four-bedroom Spanish Revival-style home near the water can go for upwards of $8 million. Neatly squared front yards feature low-water plantings shaded with tall palm and eucalyptus trees, and neighborhood streets are hilly and tightly packed, with sidewalks that wind around the community, leading to nearby parks and restaurants.
Aerial of homes in East Mesa.
Find your dream home in East Mesa.
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Fourth of July celebrations on the beach
East Mesa is next to the Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach, where many local events and festivals are held. During the city’s day-long Fourth of July Celebration on West Beach, locals can enjoy a full day of live music by local musicians and DJs before closing out the night with a 20-minute firework display over the water.
Ledbetter Beach in East Mesa.
Get some time alone at Ledbetter Beach in East Mesa.
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Local produce markets and community-oriented eateries
Just west of the neighborhood, a few shopping centers are clustered along Cliff Drive, including small grocery stores like Lazy Acres Market and Mesa Produce, as well as a selection of small, locally owned eateries. Many of these restaurants have close ties to the community; for instance, Mesa Burger began in 2016 as a collaboration between Mesa residents and other Santa Barbara partners. “The idea came up on a surf trip,” says Chiarappa, one of Mesa Burger's original founders. “We wanted a feel-good restaurant, with hamburgers being comfort food, and thought of it as a way to give back to the community.” Lighthouse Coffee, which now has 5 locations across Santa Barbara and nearby Goleta, is owned by the same collective and began serving locally roasted coffee at the original Mesa location in 2018.
Enjoy a lovely plant based meal at Mesa Verde in East Mesa.
Find ingredients for a healthy meat at Lazy Acres Market in East Mesa.
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Highly regarded schools offering multimedia and computer science programs
East Mesa is zoned for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. “The schools here are great,” says Chris Chiarappa, local business owner. “There’s a lot of parent involvement, and everyone is invested in their success.” Local students may attend Washington Elementary, which receives an A rating from Niche and employs a full-time STEM teacher, who works weekly with students in all grade levels to help them develop a strong STEM foundation. The B-plus-rated La Cumbre Junior High offers an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective, which promotes college readiness for kids who could be the first in their families to attend university. The A-rated Santa Barbara High is the district's only high school to offer Computer Science and Multimedia Arts & Design Academies, and its 40-acre campus features tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a large football and track stadium. East Mesa is located next to Santa Barbara City College’s main campus, but few of its students live in East Mesa, and the school's proximity doesn’t affect residents much, if at all.
Education comes first at Washington Elementary School Santa Barbara.
Students love to learn at La Cumbre Junior High School in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara High in East Mesa.
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Santa Barbara bus stations along Cliff Drive
U.S. Route 101 runs east-west, 2 miles north of the neighborhood, and downtown Santa Barbara is 3 miles away. The 96-mile commute to Los Angeles can take up to two and a half hours, depending on traffic on the 101. Locals can easily walk or bike around their neighborhood to get to nearby parks and beaches, and several Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District bus routes that pass through East Mesa; for example, Route 5 stops along the neighborhood’s northern border and travels to La Cumbre Plaza shopping center and downtown. Nearby hospitals include Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, about 3 miles north, and Santa Barbara Airport is about 10 miles east. For international travel, Los Angeles Airport is about 100 miles away.
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
On average, homes in East Mesa, Santa Barbara sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in East Mesa, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $2,725,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Enjoy the ultimate American Riviera lifestyle in this exquisite oceanfront estate resting on a gracious half-acre of prime California coastline. The inspiring contemporary residence was meticulously designed and crafted by noted architect, Tom Ochsner, four years ago with the goal of creating a sophisticated yet casual resort-style retreat. The interior spaces can best be described as modern
Nestled in one of Santa Barbara's most desirable neighborhoods, this spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath home combines comfort, character, and coastal charm. Just seven homes above Shoreline Drive, ocean views welcome you as you arrive. The location speaks for itself — minutes from Lazy Acres, 1000 Steps, Hendry's Beach, downtown, and the Harbor, with Washington Elementary just a short walk
Deborah SchroderBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Experience the best of East Mesa living in this beautifully updated and very private 1,500+ sq. ft. 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo that feels more like a cottage retreat than a condominium, featuring a private courtyard entry and unbeatable walk-ability to Lazy Acres Market, Lighthouse Coffee, and the Mesa Shopping Center! Bright and inviting, the living room offers high vaulted ceilings, a cozy
Mike RichardsonRichardson Real Estate Services, Inc.
Home is in the Mesa neighborhood, a stone's throw away from Shoreline Park and Leadbetter Beach, sits a oversized property with a stunning completely remodeled home and a charming ADU. This beautiful single story has a opened floor plan with folding patio doors creating a welcoming indoor outdoor living. There is a free standing fireplace, all new landscape with artificial grass.The ADU is a
Santa Barbara Mesa Living at its best: welcome to a truly lovely home in the desirable 93109 zip code! Meticulously remodeled, this serene property is just blocks from the beach and offers a charming blend of luxury and comfort with a tranquil and laid-back coastal vibe.Tucked away behind mature hedges on a quiet street with a gated welcome, this home's tiled front entry sets the tone
Nestled on a peaceful cul-de-sac, relax on your shade-sail patio, unwind in the large spa, and enjoy deeded beach access only seven houses away. Modern comforts include a Tesla Powerwall, solar panels, 200-amp panel, dual-pane windows, and car charger—making life both beautiful and efficient. With a fully approved ADU permit and a coveted location near SBCC, this home blends prestige, comfort,
Ken SwitzerBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Avail Furn May 1 - Dec 31, 2026 - Summer & Dec 2026 rate is $19K/mo. Oceanfront Santa Barbara Cottage Perched on a stunning bluff top, this enchanting cottage captures the essence of Santa Barbara living. Lush gardens, a charming pergola, fire pit, and breathtaking sunset views set the scene for relaxation. Inside, enjoy custom finishes, 3 beds, 3 baths, and a walnut-paneled library/media
Welcome to Sea Cliff Apartment, Santa Barbara's premier beachfront community- where every day is a vacation! We are truly a hidden gem. Our newly remodeled living spaces have been said to be "quite simply, breathtaking" WE ARE THE CLOSEST PROPERTY TO LEADBETTER BEACH IN ALL OF SANTA BARBARA! YOU MUST SEE TO BELIEVE! This one-of-a-kind 27-unit property is conveniently located just steps from
Oceanfront sanctuary where every day feels like a dream vacation. Elevated, private, and fabulously quiet, this soft contemporary retreat is everything you wish for in a luxury rental and it is spectacular, designed by renowned Architect Don Pedersen and built by esteemed builders Giffin & Crane. This (elegantly furnished/or partially furnished) move-in ready 4 bedroom / 3 bath residence offers
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