$2,972,681Average Value$222Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Northern Santa Barbara neighborhood with killer views
Touching the entrance to the Los Padres National Forest is Foothill, a northern Santa Barbara residential community offering a secluded lifestyle among lush tree groves. The Jesusita and Arroyo Burro trails stretch through the neighborhood, and the spacious Stevens Park isn’t far. The surrounding woods make the fire risk higher here than other parts of Santa Barbara, but the surrounding landscape draws people in anyway. “What people love here are the views. Everything is oriented toward the view,” says Lynda Elliott, Realtor for Zia Group and longtime Santa Barbara resident. Foothill has a low CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, is close to well-rated schools and is near local shopping on State Street.
Biking to the top of Inspiration Point
Folks here have direct access to tons of natural areas, vistas and even hot springs in the backcountry of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The hilly, 4-mile Jesusita Trail travels through bent valley oak trees and rocky terrain, passing small creeks and mountain peaks. It connects to Inspiration Point, another popular trail where hikers can trek a steep path to the top of a peak overlooking the Santa Barbara coastline. The Jesusita Trailhead blends into the Arroyo Burro Trail, which connects to Stevens Park just south of the neighborhood; this 25-acre area has wooded hiking trails around the San Roque Creek, shaded picnic areas and a playground. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which has a Pollinator Garden and a Redwood tree grove, is 2 miles away.
There are great views along the Jesusita Trail in Foothill.
Bring your furry friend along for a hike along the Jesusita Trail in Foothill.
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Custom Spanish properties in Foothill
Foothill’s narrow, winding streets pass through mature oak trees, agave plants and cacti, and many homes have angled front yards with short, steep driveways. “Even though there are no sidewalks, there are bigger lots,” Elliott says. Custom homes are a huge draw to the area, including midcentury ranch-style and Spanish-influenced properties with stucco exteriors and terracotta roofs. These opulent, two to four-bedroom houses may have veranda-shaded decks, brick entryways and in-ground pools. Elliott explains that many properties are also designed by well-known local architect Paul Greene. “People are now buying these and renovating them because they have more of an open concept, windows, flat roofs and might be sitting on a half-acre, which is rare for Santa Barbara,” she says. Prices can range between $1.5 million and $2.5 million for less square footage and typically $3 million to $4 million for larger properties with better views of the Santa Ynez mountains.
Find your dream home in the Foothill neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
This ranch-style home in Foothill has beautifully trimmed hedges.
Spanish-style homes are among the most popular home styles in the Foothill neighborhood.
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Foothill offers a variety of different home styles to choose from.
Art for a cause at the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival
In May, Old Mission Santa Barbara hosts its annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival 2 miles southeast of the neighborhood. Streets painters cover the Mission Plaza with intricate large-scale pastel paintings on the paved ground. The event raises funds for the nonprofit Children’s Creative Project, and spectators can scout the on-site Italian market for pasta and gelato or dance to live music. Locals in Foothill can also lace up for the yearly Santa Barbara Half Marathon on Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street a few miles south. Participants can opt for a 3-mile or 13-mile run through the palm tree-lined streets, and onlookers can cheer on runners and grab drinks in the nearby Funk Zone.
Browsing at Chaucer’s Books and sipping cocktails at Harry’s
Foothill is all residential homes, so locals head south of the neighborhood to go shopping. Whole Foods Market is 2 miles southwest of the area next to La Cumbre Plaza, which has retail chains like Macy’s and Target. State Street, home to many local shops and restaurants, is also a few miles south of the neighborhood. Folks can peruse popular titles at Chaucer’s Books or search for handbags and gifts at Posh Fine Jewelers. Harry’s Plaza Café has been serving American comfort food and specialty cocktails for over 50 years, and Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch serves mesquite-grilled chicken, tri-tip burritos and homemade guacamole. For more shopping and dining, folks can travel further south on State Street near U.S. Route 101.
Taqueria La Unica is a favorite among Foothill residents for its modern Mexican food.
Whole Foods is one of the many grocery stores available to Foothill reside
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Fashion and film studies at Santa Barbara Senior High
The neighborhood is zoned for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Kids typically start at Peabody Charter, which is rated the best charter elementary school in the city by Niche and receives an A grade. Parents can also enroll their children in the nearby Hope School District through an interdistrict transfer request. For middle and high school, students continue to Santa Barbara Junior High, which earns a B and then Santa Barbara Senior High, which scores an A-minus. Founded in 1875 and one of the oldest high schools in the state, Santa Barbara High is known for its athletics and artistic programs and offers an Animation Creation and Fashion and Film Club.
The courses at Peabody Charter Elementary near Foothill encourage critical thinking.
Santa Barbara Senior High School near Foothill was originally established in 1875.
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Connections to State Route 192
Foothill is largely car-dependent, but people also bike on residential streets and nearby trails. California State Route 192, or Foothill Road, runs along the southern border of the area and connects to other neighborhoods like East San Roque and Hope. Locals also take 192 to get downtown, 3 miles south. Elliott says traffic can get congested at certain times of the day, especially since U.S. Route 101 or “the 101,” is the only other main highway crossing through town. She also says Foothill residents may experience noise from busier roads further south. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is 2 miles south via San Roque Road, and Santa Barbara Airport is 9 miles west.
Tough to get fire insurance
Elliott says fire insurance is extremely hard to get in the Foothill area because the wildfire risk is high, especially from June to October. The city offers the Ready, Set, Go! Program with tips on preparing for wildfires, like creating a defensible space around the home using non-flammable plants and objects and installing dual-paned windows to reduce the chance of breaking during a fire. Because of the fire risk, soil can be less stable in Foothill than other parts of the city. Mudslides may break out after heavy rainfall, like the notorious one in Montecito in 2018. Santa Barbara County advises homeowners to stockpile on sandbags and emergency building materials and check valves in sewer traps in case of heavy flooding.
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
Randy Haden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
San Roque Park
Rocky Nook Park
Trails
Playground
Hiking
Stevens Park
Willowglen Park
Jesusita Trailhead
Trails
Hiking
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Trails
Botanical Gardens
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
29 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Foothill
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Foothill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Foothill, Santa Barbara sell after 111 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Foothill, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $976,700, up 169% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled on approximately 3.12± acres, this exquisite 4-bedroom, 3-bath residence offers the perfect fusion of privacy, convenience, and breathtaking views. With panoramic vistas of the Mission, Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and beyond, this home captures the essence of Santa Barbara's natural beauty and vibrant charm. Ideally located near Upper State Street's amenities and the award-winning
Cristal ClarkeBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Available July/August 2025, and April through July 2026, furnished.Perched in the coveted San Roque foothills, this stunning single-level lease home offers 1,761 square feet of contemporary sophistication and breathtaking views of the ocean and city below. Featuring 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the primary suite boasts sweeping ocean vistas that set a serene tone for coastal living. Light-filled
Mary WhitneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
This wonderful two bedroom, two bathroom guest house is available in the San Roque foothills beginning April 16, 2025 at $6,250 per month. The minimum stay is 30 days. The guest house is very private and consists of vaulted bean ceilings in the great room and a full kitchen with a peninsula for dining. Each of the bedrooms has a king bed and their own full bath room. It's all new, fully furnished
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Haden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
610
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$197,916
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$202,181
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.1%
College Graduates
68.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.6%
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®
19/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
8/ 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.
