Set at the center of the city, Downtown Santa Maria offers a variety of local and chain shops and a diverse restaurant scene, all anchored by the Santa Maria Town Center Mall. “It’s more commercial than residential,” says Josh Carranza, local Realtor with eXp Realty of California. “It’s a busy part of town with the mall, different restaurants, and many mom-and-pop shops.” Though housing inventory is low compared to rental availability, homeowners here are within walking distance of all the local attractions, parks, and community spaces like the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center and the First United Methodist Church. The neighborhood comes alive every Friday night in the summer when the streets are blocked off for live music and food trucks at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street.
Downtown Santa Maria is a great place to call home.
The Santa Maria Town Center Movie Theater has all the best showings in Downtown Santa Maria.
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Santa Maria Town Center Mall surrounded by local shops
Local Mom-and-pop shops line Main Street, offering a wide range of goods, from the vintage clothing of Main Thrift to the extensive selection of board games and Leisure Time Games. The Santa Maria Town Center Mall features national retailers like Bath & Body Works and Macy’s, as well as the Regal Edwards Santa Maria Movie Theatre. With a Cap Index crime score of 8, compared to a national score of 4, the risk of crimes like motor vehicle theft is most concentrated in areas with high foot traffic. As for dining options, Downtown Santa Maria boasts a culinary scene as diverse as its population. The North China Restaurant has been a local staple for Chinese food since 1982, while the Garden Mediterranean serves Mediterranean dishes like lamb shank and shawarma. Corner stores and specialty grocers like VSZ Asian Market are peppered around the neighborhood, and chain supermarkets like Vons are about a mile away.
Downtown Santa Maria has homes surrounded by great culture and conveniences.
Head to the mall to run some shopping errands in Downtown Santa Maria.
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Craftsmen bungalows within walking distance of everything
Though apartments and rentals make up the majority of the housing options downtown, there is also a selection of Craftsmen bungalows built between 1900 and 1950. Featuring wood gable trim and covered front porches, three-bedroom properties sell for between $450,000 and $650,000, depending on how recently the home has been renovated. “There’s a lot of construction going on in the area these days,” says local real estate agent Tom Brown of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty. “They’re building condos and new housing.” Homes are set close together with small front yards and minimalist exteriors lined by wide sidewalks.
Find your dream home in Downtown Santa Maria.
Residents take good care of their lawns in Downtown Santa Maria.
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Live music and food vendors every Friday in the summer
From March to September, locals can head downtown every Friday evening to enjoy live music, food trucks and local vendors. Located at the corner of Broadway and Main Street, streets are blocked off for Downtown Fridays, transforming the area into a walkable hub with plenty of space for dancing.
Taco Trucks have great snacks, juices, and full meals throughout Downtown Santa Maria.
Go for a walk at the park in Downtown Santa Maria.
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Grassy enclaves at Central Plaza Park
Downtown Santa Maria features a few smaller urban parks and plazas dotted around the neighborhood, including Central Plaza Park, which features a bandstand painted with a mural of happy families and a serene pond with a waterfall. Locals can swim at the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center on the neighborhood's south side.
See the Mural Gazebo at Central Park Plaza in Downtown Santa Maria.
Downtown Santa Maria has great amenities.
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Taking Santa Maria Regional Transit buses around town
Residents live within walking distance of all the shops and attractions downtown offers. Broadway is the main roadway, cutting through the neighborhood’s center before turning into the Orcutt Expressway, stretching to the town of Orcutt, 6 miles south. Los Angeles is about 158 miles away on U.S. 101, while Santa Barbara is 65 miles away. Most Santa Maria Regional Transit Bus Routes begin downtown before branching out, making it easy to get anywhere in the city. The Marian Regional Medical Center is the nearest hospital, less than 2 miles east. Nearby airports include the Santa Maria Airport, which is about 5 miles away, while a more extensive selection of commercial flights can be found 68 miles away at Santa Barbara Airport or 160 miles away at Los Angeles International Airport.
Downtown Santa Maria offers public transportation.
Downtown Santa Maria has something for all homebuyers.
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Agricultural programs at Santa Maria High
Local students may attend Alvin Elementary, rated C-minus by Niche, or the C-rated Fesler Junior High. Most teens will attend the B-minus-rated Santa Maria High School, which offers agricultural mechanics classes that prepare students for farming, construction, or welding careers. Students can also participate in career development events through the school’s chapter of Future Farmers of America, a national organization that seeks to promote leadership through hands-on agricultural education.
Santa Maria's Alvin Elementary School is home of the Tigers.
Fesler Jr High of Santa Maria is home to the Falcons.
Santa Maria High School near Downtown Santa Maria.
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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
Alicia Bartlett,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Armstrong Park
Buena Vista Park
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Simas Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Trails
Alice Trefts Park
Central Plaza Park
Playground
Walking Paths
Veteran's Memorial Park
Transit
Airport
San Luis County Regional
38 min drive
Bus
Broadway & Mill
Bus
Broadway & Town Center West
Bus
Cook & Pine (Ob)
Bus
Main & Thornburg
Bus
Miller & Cook (Inbound)
Bus
Main & Broadway (North Town Center Mall)
Bus
Broadway & Fesler
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Santa Maria
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Santa Maria Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Santa Maria, Santa Maria sell after 133 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Santa Maria, Santa Maria over the last 12 months is $1,725,000, up 707% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Alicia Bartlett,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,932
Median Age
28
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
36.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,999
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,392
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
49.2%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
4.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.7%
% Population in Labor Force
70.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
13''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
65/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
90/ 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.
