$3,582,002Average Value$1,427Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
Scenic residential community in the hills of Santa Barbara
Elevated in the hills that separate the Mission and Sycamore Canyons, 3 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara, Riviera is modeled after Mediterranean coastal towns where villas and estates look out on the ocean. “It is one of the most sought-after places in Santa Barbara,” says Ali Evans, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California. “You can find large estate homes elevated on the Riviera, and properties have stunning views of the city, mountains and ocean.” With a Cap Index crime score of 2 out of 10, compared to a national score of 4, property and violent crime risk is extremely low. Nearby green spaces like Franceschi Park overflow with native plantings, palm trees and flowers while offering the same scenic views. The neighborhood’s natural beauty provides the backdrop for cultural institutions like the Santa Barbara Zen Center, a Buddhist temple, and the Riviera Theatre, which hosts the Santa Barbara International Film Festival every February. Narrow winding roads connect the Riviera to the rest of the city, including the shops and restaurants on Milpas Street and U.S. 101, which runs east-west a few miles south.
Row of homes in Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA.
Aerial of homes in Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA.
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Secluded estate-style homes on wooded lots
Narrow, steep, winding streets cut into the hillside, bordered by stone retaining walls, shrubbery, and tall pine and eucalyptus trees. Large estate homes are hidden behind privacy fences and gates, often featuring Spanish Revival-style elements like terracotta coloring, barrel-tile roofs, or Modernist architecture, including large windows and lateral composition. Having been built primarily between 1950 and 1990, homes offer stunning views of the city and the expansive Pacific Ocean below. Prices for a three-bedroom Modernist-style home range from $1.7 million to $2.5 million, while five-bedroom Spanish Revival-style estates on half-acre to multi-acre lots can sell for between $3.5 million and $5 million. “The market is based on the property. If it is turn-key, ready to go after the sale, it flies off, but sometimes homes that need more work sit a little longer,” Evans says.
Spanish style home in Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA.
Context show of Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA.
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Family Nights and multimedia programs at local schools
At Roosevelt Elementary, rated B-plus by Niche, school officials organize free Family Nights throughout the school year, including movie nights and picnics at the Mission Rose Garden, which aim to foster community. In addition to Family Nights, Roosevelt holds Cultural Arts assemblies where students can learn from musicians, storytellers and dancers of various backgrounds. The B-plus-rated Santa Barbara Junior High offers woodworking and construction technology classes for seventh and eighth graders, while the A-rated Santa Barbara Senior High offers a Multimedia Arts and Design Academy with courses in filmmaking, photography, and graphic design.
Santa Barbara Junior High School.
Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Barbara challenges and encourages children to learn.
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities.
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Wooded parks full of native plants with panoramic views
The Mission Steps, a wooded stone-step pathway through eucalyptus trees and other native plants, leads uphill to the 15-acre Franceschi Park, which offers open green space full of mediterranean plantings and panoramic views. Just west of the Riviera, the Mission Historical Park sits just outside Old Mission Santa Barbara, an 18th-century historical site most known for its rose garden. On the neighborhood’s north side, the Santa Barbara Tennis Club offers memberships and adult and junior tennis clinics.
Riviera is home to the Mission steps.
You can have a picnic with friends in Riviera.
Riviera has some great dog friendly parks.
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Nearby shops and Mexican restaurants on Milpas Street
While Riviera is almost entirely residential, several restaurants and chain stores like Trader Joe’s sit about 2 miles away on Milpas Street. The Shop Brunch serves breakfast with a shaded outdoor patio where locals can look out on the hills in the morning sky. For Mexican food, residents can head to Los Agaves Restaurant, a local chain known for bold flavors and high-quality ingredients.
Los Agaves is a staple Mexican restaurant near Riviera.
Indulge in a wet burrito at Los Agaves near Riviera of Milpas.
Head down the hill from the Riviera to do some shopping.
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Driving through the hills and accessing U.S. 101
Riveria streets tend to be narrow and sloping, often without sidewalks, making some areas more challenging to navigate by foot than neighborhoods closer to downtown, about 3 miles away. Los Angeles is about 95 miles away on U.S. 101, which runs parallel to the coast. Nearby Airports include Santa Barbara Airport, 13 miles west, and Los Angeles International Airport, about 100 miles west. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is 4 miles southwest.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Riviera Theater
The Riviera Theater, a historic 1920s-era building, screens international and independent films daily and hosts the Santa Barbara International Film Festival every February. In addition to a selection of short films, feature-length pictures and documentaries, the film festival offers industry panels and seminars.
Watch a show at The Riviera Theatre in Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA.
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.
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On average, homes in Riviera, Santa Barbara sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Riviera, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $3,788,569, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful custom-built 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with flex room and office, located on a quiet lane in the Cielito neighborhood near Parma Park trails. The gourmet kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances and an R/O system with instant hot and filtered water. Sliding doors open to a patio with fountain, gas grill, and dining areas, while an upper terrace offers mountain views, raised garden
Ann ZafiratosBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
If you are looking for privacy, premier south facing location and clear coastal views, this romantic home on Santa Barbara's Upper Riviera offers breathtaking and unimpeded panoramic views sweeping eastward from Point Magu over the historic city, then westward beyond San Miguel Island; no wires, no unowned tree interference! Twilight brings a golden light over the harbor, followed by sparkling
Stunning Spanish Contemporary with Panoramic Views in Santa Barbara's Upper Riviera. Perched in the heart of Santa Barbara's highly sought-after Upper Riviera and just minutes from premier shopping, dining, and pristine beaches, this residence offers the perfect fusion of elegance, comfort, and convenience.Boasting a flexible layout with 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, this home caters
Set in one of Santa Barbara's most coveted hillside enclaves, this exceptional property presents a rare opportunity to create a profoundly unique estate with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, the historic harbor, and the city at your feet. Privately positioned on a Peninsula-type lot of over 1/2-acre, the existing residence offers a solid foundation for transformation—whether a refined
Rare opportunity to build on Santa Barbara famed Riviera. Stunning mountain views from this architecturally designed custom home with gracious first floor primary + two additional upstairs suites plus ADU. Has been through SBARB. Water meter in. ALL reports available. Fabulous potential plus one of our best in town locations.
Perched atop Santa Barbara's Riviera, this newly built, one-of-a-kind contemporary masterpiece offers unparalleled elegance, cutting-edge technology, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Constructed by Allen Construction and enhanced by Cornerstone Landscapers, this exceptional residence showcases breathtaking panoramic ocean, city, and island views from every level. Expansive floor-to-ceiling
Cristal ClarkeBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
FULLY FURNISHEDNestled in Santa Barbara's coveted Riviera neighborhood, this fully furnished 4,200+ sq. ft. home blends timeless charm with modern upgrades. Just a two-minute walk from the famed El Encanto Resort, it features 4 spacious bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a light-filled living area, and a gourmet kitchen perfect for hosting. The upstairs primary suite offers sweeping ocean views, while
Experience the charm of Santa Barbara in this stunning 1925 Spanish Colonial, perched on a peaceful .75-acre lot in the Upper Riviera. With ~4,300 sq. ft., this 3-bedroom, 4.5-bath retreat offers breathtaking ocean and city views from nearly every room. Enjoy landscaped terraced gardens, multiple patios and balconies, just minutes from the Mission, Rocky Nook Park, the Botanical Gardens, and El
Fully Furnished, set high in the Riviera, this custom-built hillside retreat combines exceptional craftsmanship with breathtaking mountain views, all just 10 minutes from Montecito's Lower and Upper Villages and downtown Santa Barbara.Expansive windows on both levels flood the home with natural light and frame stunning vistas, creating a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape. The
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