With fantastic weather, beachfront real estate, and an exciting culture, Santa Barbara is a great place to live for anyone who wants to experience the best aspects of Southern California living. Santa Barbara is a walkable city full of fantastic neighborhoods offering everything from quiet suburban streets to arts and entertainment. There are 28 Santa Barbara neighborhoods all offering something unique and enticing.
From multi-million dollar estates to modest bungalows, you'll find a wide variety of housing options in the Santa Barbara area to suit your tastes and budget. Santa Barbara, California, offers diverse neighborhoods catering to various preferences.
For families, Mesa and San Roque provide great schools and parks. The Riviera boasts stunning views and upscale homes, while downtown Santa Barbara offers a vibrant, walkable area with unique shops and restaurants. Each neighborhood has its own charm, making Santa Barbara a desirable place to live.
Although with so many fantastic things, finding the perfect area may feel overwhelming. To help make the decision easier, here is a list of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for families, young professionals, beach-goers, and more.
The Mesa | A Refined Santa Barbara Neighborhood With a Low Crime Rate
The Mesa is one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara if you're looking for a relaxed, coastal lifestyle. Located directly on the Pacific Ocean, The Mesa is a picturesque neighborhood offering beach access, rolling hills, top-notch schools, and plenty of parks close by.
The community is made up of several smaller neighborhoods, including East Mesa, West Mesa, and Alta Mesa. It's one of the safest neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, with a violent crime rate that's 55% lower than the national average.
It's home to several notable attractions, including Shoreline Park, 1000 Steps Beach, and Douglas Family Preserve. Residents can also find plenty of shopping and restaurants at the Mesa Shopping Center or Mesa Village, and the nearby Santa Barbara City College offers opportunities for educational advancement. With a median home price of $2.7 million and a median household income of $123,300, it's also one of the richest and most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. However, if you're looking for luxury homes, access to amenities, and a laidback lifestyle, The Mesa is the place to be.
- Population: 5,000
- Average rent: $4153
- Median home price: $2.7 million
- La Mesa crime rate: 1,509 crimes per 100,000 residents
The Riviera | A Sophisticated Santa Barbara Neighborhood With European Influences
The Riviera is also one of the best places to live in Santa Barbara. Situated in the hillside directly north of downtown adjacent to the community of Mission Canyon, The Riviera is an upscale neighborhood offering some of the best views in Santa Barbara.
It's named after the French Riviera and has a sophisticated European ambiance with walkable streets, trendy cafes, and Spanish-revival-style homes. Just north of the Riviera is Parma Park, a sprawling green space with 5 miles of trails and views of the Santa Ynez Valley. You'll also find plenty of gourmet eateries, hip boutiques, and local businesses in the surrounding areas.
It's one of the best areas in Santa Barbara if you're looking for panoramic views and access to nature. All that luxury does come at a cost, and the average home price in The Riviera is $3 million. But for those with the budget, it's one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara.
- Population: 1,333
- Average rent: $2,659
- Median home price: $3 million
- La Mesa crime rate: 1,220 crimes per 100,000 residents
The Funk Zone | The Best Neighborhood in Santa Barbara for Artists and Creatives
The Funk Zone is one of the best Santa Barbara neighborhoods for creatives and young adults. It's a former manufacturing center that has been revitalized into Santa Barbara's main hub for arts and culture. The Funk Zone covers a 13-block radius that contains some of the top restaurants, wineries, shopping, art galleries, and hotels in Santa Barbara.
Notable attractions in the community include the Moreton Bay Fig Tree, MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation, and Rincon Brewery. It's also just a block removed from West Beach and Stearns Wharf, offering the perfect balance of culture and outdoor recreation. It's a bustling community that attracts a high volume of tourists and visitors, so it may not be the best Santa Barbara neighborhood for families seeking a quiet, suburban lifestyle. However, it's a great community for artists and young people who want a vibrant neighborhood full of life and creativity.
- Population: 19,282
- Average rent: $2892
- Median home price: $1.86 million
Oak Park | A Family-Oriented Santa Barbara Neighborhood in a Prime Location
Situated just northwest of downtown, Oak Park is a centrally-located Santa Barbara neighborhood offering good schools, low crime, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It's home to a park of the same name, a popular picnic destination on Mission Creek that hosts regular community festivals.
It's also adjacent to the 101 and within walking distance from major attractions in downtown Santa Barbara and the Upper East neighborhood, such as The Arlington Theater, The Santa Barbara Museum, Mission Santa Barbara, and Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. It's also home to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, making it one of Santa Barbara's best neighborhoods for healthcare workers.
It has a median home price of $1.75 million, which is slightly more affordable than other popular Santa Barbara neighborhoods and 6% lower than the citywide median. So anyone who wants safe neighborhoods in Santa Barbara with easy access to employment and attractions should stop by Oak Park.
- Population: 8,208
- Average rent: $2892
- Median home price: $1.86 million
- Crime rate: 5,347 incidents per 100,000 residents
San Roque | A Peaceful Santa Barbara Neighborhood Full of Parks
San Roque is also one of the best Santa Barbara neighborhoods for those who want a peaceful, residential atmosphere and low crime. The serene neighborhood is situated near the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains just south of Foothill Road in the northeastern part of the city.
It's full of community parks, including Stevens Park, San Roque Park, and Willow Glen Park, and the Arroyo Burro and San Roque Creeks both flow through the neighborhood. You'll find a range of modern Santa Barbara-style homes on large plots of land with breathtaking canyon views. It's also home to the top-rated Peabody Charter and Monta Vista School and conveniently located close to shopping and dining at La Cumbre Plaza. It's a serene, family-friendly area in a convenient location. It's also one of the wealthier neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, with a median home price of $2.45 million.
- Population: 1,929 residents
- Average rent: $2,485
- Median home price: $2.45 million
- Crime rate: 2,380 incidents per 100,000 residents
Bel Air Knolls | A Luxury Neighborhood in Santa Barbara With a Range of Housing Options
Bel Air Knolls is a diverse and enticing neighborhood offering impressive luxury homes in Santa Barbara, CA. Named after one of the richest neighborhoods in California (the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles), Bel Air Knolls is an upscale community situated on a hilltop between Las Positas Road, the Westside, and the Mesa.
It's also located directly north of Elings Park, a popular community gathering spot with baseball fields, hang gliding, a BMX raceway, and other exciting activities. You'll find a range of Mid-Century modern, craftsman, and Spanish-style homes. It features a median home price of $3 million; however it's known for its range of Santa Barbara housing options, with many homes under $1 million. It's one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for families and retirees because it offers minimal crime, access to conveniences, and spacious homes.
- Population: 2,088 residents
- Average rent: $2,485
- Median home price: $2.45 million
Eucalyptus Hill | A Historic Santa Barbara Neighborhood With Fantastic Weather
Eucalyptus Hill is a nice neighborhood in Santa Barbara for those in search of natural beauty and a tight-knit community. It's in a prime location in between Montecito Peak and the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, offering a mix of high elevations and gorgeous lagoons.
The community consists of about 1,000 properties ranging from modest ranch homes to sprawling mansions. In the 1800's, it was developed by wealthy businessmen who were known as the Hilltop Barons. Its name comes from the thousands of eucalyptus trees that were imported from Australia by a prominent resident named Frederick Forrest Peabody, who built a mansion in the neighborhood.
The Montecito Club is also in Eucalyptus Hill, an exclusive country club with a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, a high-tech fitness center, a two lane bowling alley, and a 20-seat Dolby Atmos movie theater. The neighborhood is in a unique geographic location where coastal mountains face south, providing better access to sunlight in the winter months for a pleasant climate throughout the year. It's also one of the safest neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, with a crime rate that's 18% lower than the national average. So if you're searching for a serene community with a rich history and beautiful scenery, Eucalyptus Hill is worth checking out.
- Population: 2,973 residents
- Average rent: $2,659
- Median home price: $3 million
- Eucalyptus Hill crime rate: 1,934 incidents per 100,000 residents
East Beach | A Happening Neighborhood on the Santa Barbara Waterfront
East Beach is another fantastic neighborhood on the Santa Barbara waterfront, offering miles of coastline and beachfront homes. Straddling its namesake beach, East Beach is a bustling neighborhood full of activities and attractions. It's home to the Santa Barbara Zoo, a popular weekend destination for families with over 160 species of animals. Chase Palm Park is also a notable hotspot that features an iconic shipwreck playground, multiple recreation centers, and the Terry Dale Hufft Abstract Art Gallery.
It's a very walkable neighborhood full of trendy shops, delicious restaurants, and unique attractions like the Santa Barbara Chromatic Gate. You'll find a mix of Spanish-style bungalows, Craftsman-style homes, and modest ranches.
The median home price is $1.7 million, making it slightly more affordable than other nearby Santa Barbara neighborhoods. As a result, East Beach is a popular community for young people and outdoor adventurers who want surf, sunshine, and entertainment. It offers the best aspects of coastal living and the best beaches in Santa Barbara, with all of life's conveniences right at your fingertips.
If you're the type of person who wants to play a game of beach volleyball during the day and spend the evening at a trendy brewpub, then East Beach is one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara.
- Population: 1,167 residents
- Average rent: $2,555
- Median home price: $1.7 million
Hope Ranch | A Gated Santa Barbara Neighborhood With Million Dollar Homes
Hope Ranch is an upscale Santa Barbara neighborhood situated on the western outskirts of the city. Consisting of about 700 homes perched atop an impressive cliff overlooking the ocean, Hope Ranch is an upscale, gated community with some of the best real estate in Santa Barbara. Residents have access to a private community beach, tennis courts, riding trails, and the La Cumbre Country Club, which has a private golf course. Hope Ranch is known for its equestrian tradition and features over 27 miles of horseback riding trails. Along with the suburb of Isla Vista, Hope Ranch is considered one of the best places to live in Santa Barbara County.
In the 1800's it was exclusively owned by rancher Thomas Hope, who purchased 2,000 acres to raise sheep. Today, the community retains its pastoral aesthetic with lush, open spaces full of greenery and a canopy of mature oak trees. You'll find a wide selection of luxury estates and ranch-style manors, many of which are in the eight-figure price range.
It's home to some of Santa Barbara's wealthiest residents and features a median home price of $4.825 million. It's a bit of a secluded, self-contained community and doesn't offer the same immediate access to attractions compared to other Santa Barbara neighborhoods. However, if you want a luxurious, gated community offering a healthy lifestyle and access to nature, you'll love Hope Ranch.
- Population: 4200 residents
- Average rent: $2,828
- Median home price: $4.82 million
Map of Santa Barbara Neighborhoods
Explore these exciting communities and everything the city has to offer with this Santa Barbara neighborhoods map.
Getting ready to move to one of these breathtaking Santa Barbara neighborhoods? The team of dedicated Santa Barbara movers at Movegreen will make your relocation easy and affordable. Call (866) 684-7336 for a free quote on the cost of moving in Santa Barbara.
