$2,194,920Average Value$266Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Palm tree-filled Santa Barbara community close to city shops and parks
Although the central Santa Barbara neighborhood of Samarkand is named after a well-established retirement community, people across generations live on its scenic palm-tree-lined streets. “It’s very walkable with sidewalks—people can even walk to Trader Joe’s,” says Caleb Overton, Realtor for Keller Williams and city resident for over 20 years. “It’s family-friendly. All ages live here because of the convenience factor and price points.” Neighbors are close to several local shops and restaurants along the two-lane De La Vina Street, plus outdoor spots like Santa Barbara Golf Club and the expansive Oak Park near Mission Creek. Along with lawn bowling and taking their dogs to MacKenzie Park up north, Samarkand locals like venturing half a mile west for festivals and weekend events at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Samarkand is a very clean neighborhood.
The Arlington Theatre near Samarkand Santa Barbara is a great place to see a movie.
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Winding roads next to midcentury homes in Samarkand
Houses in Samarkand sit along curvy streets filled with sidewalks, mature pine trees and views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Green agave plants sit next to sprouting lemon trees, and several roads feature speed humps to make sure cars move slowly. Midcentury ranch-style homes and cottages with stucco exteriors are scattered around the western side of the community, with narrow cement walkways leading to small patios and grassy fenced-in backyards. Prices can range between $1 million and about $1.7 million, depending on the size of the lot.
On the north side of the neighborhood is a mix of renovated midcentury ranch-style homes and two-story Spanish-influenced homes built throughout the 20th century. These houses sit on almost quarter-acre lots with tall, trimmed bushes and showcase elaborate desert plant gardens next to two-car garages. Some even have hot tubs on their back decks. Prices range from $2 million to $3.1 million. Seniors ages 62 and up can live in the Covenant Living at the Samarkand retirement community. The area has one to two-bedroom apartment units in Mediterranean-styled buildings surrounded by manicured shrubs and shaded patios. Residents also have access to a heated outdoor pool and spa, the Tech Center, where computer classes are offered, and the on-site Mountain View Café.
Lush streets fill Samarkand.
You can find a variety of homes throughout Samarkand Santa Barbara.
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Financial literacy at San Marcos Senior High
Samarkand is zoned for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Kids begin at Adams Elementary which offers kindergarten through sixth grade and scores a B-plus from Niche. For seventh and eighth grades, students can attend La Cumbre Junior High, which earns a B. The A-rated San Marcos Senior High features student organizations like the Youth Money Mentoring Club and Hiking Club.
San Marcos Highschool.
Students love the safe learning environment at Adams Elementary School in Santa Barbara.
La Cumbre Junior High has beauiftul architecture.
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Easy access to the 101
U.S. Route 101 runs along the area’s southern border, connecting it to other neighborhoods like Hidden Valley and Bel Air. Downtown Santa Barbara is a 2-mile drive southeast via Vernon Road. The area is very walkable with sidewalks, and folks can bike along busy roads like Tallant Road, which winds downhill. Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses also stop in and around Samarkand, going all over the city, including the beachfront about 4 miles southeast. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is about half a mile east of the community, and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is 7 miles west via U.S. 101.
Lawn bowling on manicured turf at MacKenzie Park
Within the neighborhood, the 10-acre MacKenzie Park has a lot to offer. The Santa Barbara Pony Baseball League practices on its fields, dogs chase each other at the dog park and people participate in lawn bowling, where the goal is to get wooden balls as close to a smaller white ball as possible. The park’s tiny MacKenzie Center is for parties or wedding receptions. Oak Park, one of the oldest outdoor spaces in the city, spans 17 acres near the southeastern corner of the area. Residents can check out the soft-surface playground, an 18-inch-deep pool for young children and short trails through the hundreds of live oak trees. The area also features tennis courts and the Oak Park Stage, where dozens of accordion musicians and French Polynesian dancers perform during the annual Santa Barbara French Festival. The public 18-hole Santa Barbara Golf Club touches the western border of Samarkand, offering daily tee times and monthly golf tournaments on its lush par-70 course.
Kids enjoy a golf lesson at Santa Barbara Golf Club in Samarkand Santa Barbara.
Find your favorite hiking trail in Samarkand
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Lattes from Handlebar Coffee Roasters and Mexican dishes at Los Agaves
For groceries, Trader Joe’s is near the northern border off De La Vina Street. Locals can start the day with lattes at Handlebar Coffee Roasters, then pick up cheese-covered burritos from the locally owned Los Agaves. In the evening, family-ran Petrini’s Italian Restaurant serves comfort dishes like bruschetta risotto and carbonara. For shopping, Loreto Plaza is near the northwest corner and houses local spots like Chaucer’s Books and Posh Fine Jewelers, offering watches, accessories and sparkly pendants. A mile west of Loreto, La Cumbre Plaza includes major retail chains like Macy’s and Talbots.
The best place to grab a coffee is Handlebar Coffee roasters in Samarkand Santa Barbara.
Handlebar Cafe in Samarkand is a landmark.
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Equestrian events at the Earl Warren Showgrounds
Earl Warren Showgrounds is about half a mile west of Samarkand and hosts several events throughout the year. Residents can check out the long-running Santa Barbara Horse Show in July, where equestrians compete in various jumping obstacle courses and dressage. Around April or May, the city also puts on the Santa Barbara Fair and Expo in Earl Warren; visitors can check out numerous carnival rides, browse through art vendors and say hello to farm animals in educational displays.
Working around smog in Santa Barbara
Samarkand locals may experience poor air quality from time to time because of marine inversions, when air pollution is trapped between mountains and the ocean, creating a smog-like effect. Smoke from nearby wildfires can also cause problems. The Santa Barbara Air Pollution and Control District continuously monitors the air quality within the city and encourages all city residents to regularly check the Air Quality Index for their region on their website. The district also recommends keeping windows closed, wet mopping to reduce dust in the house and using an air purifier during smokey or hazy days.
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
San Roque Park
Pilgrim Terrace Park
Picnic Area
Mission Lawn
Oak Park
Stevens Park
Mission Historical Park & Rose Gardens
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
26 min drive
Bus
Treasure & Samarkand
Bus
Treasure & Tallant
Bus
San Onofre & Las Positas
Bus
Treasure & Calle Real
Bus
State & Las Positas
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Samarkand
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Samarkand Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Samarkand, Santa Barbara sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Samarkand, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $524,990.
A standout in the heart of Samarkand, this 4,500+SF home renovated by Romasanta Construction blends quality, scale, and thoughtful design. The spacious kitchen with Viking and Bosch appliances anchors the home, opening to a dining area and adjacent sitting room ideal for gathering. A vaulted Great Room with mountain-view deck and fireplace adds volume and versatility, while five en-suite bedrooms
Kelly KnightBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Beautifully remodeled duplex with large (884 sq ft) garage/workshop in a fantastic Samarkand location - close to Oak Park, Cottage Hospital, and State St. Unit mix is one 2bed/1bath & one 1bed/1bath. Each unit has it's own private yard. Enjoy vaulted ceilings, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, all new plumbing, new HVAC w/ AC, new electrical, new dual pane windows, and so much more. Perfect option
Surrounded by inviting gardens and patios front and back, this timeless house boasts a striking two story living room with fireplace and garden views. Tasteful interior design and stunning gardens full of edible fruits make this home unique. The tranquil, family friendly neighborhood has parks and abundant parking, while shops are only blocks away. A short walk to grab coffee and a treat down the
Lovely Santa Barbara home with panoramic mountain and Riviera views is available as a summer rental! Perfectly convenient location in Samarkand neighborhood. Bright, light and well-decorated, this 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home stretches out with nearly 3,100 square feet. Fantastic location in an established neighborhood, five minutes to downtown, the beach or shopping. Spacious home sits atop a
Charming Samarkand furnished home for rent from October 1 2025 - Nov 30th.This charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home in the coveted Samarkand neighborhood offers the perfect blend of comfort and style. Bright, open living spaces flow seamlessly into a well-appointed kitchen, ideal for entertaining.The detached primary suite provides a private retreat, perfect for guests or a home
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
3,549
Median Age
61
Population Density
18 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
44.4%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$154,032
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$167,662
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
68.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
51%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
77/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
73/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
38/ 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.
