Santa Barbara is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California. The population of Santa Barbara is 88,665 and is only expected to keep growing! The area is known for its diverse economy, popular tourist attractions, and beautiful real estate. If you are thinking about relocating to Santa Barbara, then you need to choose the perfect neighborhood for you.
There are dozens of neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, and there is surely something for everyone! The area is home to beachfront neighborhoods, city neighborhoods, and mountainous neighborhoods. No matter what you are looking for, Santa Barbara has it all! Here is a guide to the best Santa Barbara neighborhoods for young professionals, families, and more. Santa Barbara Downtown | Trendy Santa Barbara Neighborhood Popular Among Young Professionals
- Population: 19,688
- Average rent: $2,177
- Median home price: $1.48 million
- Santa Barbara Downtown crime: 5,347 per 100,000 people (128% higher than the national average)
If you enjoy city living, then Santa Barbara Downtown is the neighborhood for you! This lively neighborhood is home to hip cafes, tree-lined streets, and incredible shopping opportunities. This area contains mostly apartments for rent, although there are a few houses on the outskirts of the neighborhood.
There is always something to do in Downtown Santa Barbara. The area is very walkable, and you can easily access some of the top attractions in the neighborhood, such as Paseo Nuevo and the Santa Barbara Public Market. The Downtown area is also the hub of Santa Barbara’s business district, with many jobs in the technology, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.
Bel Air | Beautiful Neighborhood Great for Retirees or Families Looking for a Quiet Area
- Population: 1,193
- Average rent: $2,318
- Median home price: $2.01 million
Not to be confused with Bel Air, Los Angeles, Bel Air, Santa Barbara is one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. This area is secluded and set away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it great for retirees or those looking for a quiet area to live. Most of the houses in Bel Air are single-story Mediterranean-style homes ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet.
Bel Air contains Elings Park, which is the largest community-supported non-profit public park in America. Elings Park is home to the Channel Islands Raceway, Elings Disc Golf Course, Elings Playground, and Fly Above All Paragliding. Bel Air is also close to some of the best schools in the city, such as Santa Barbara Community Academy and Harding Elementary School.
Alta Mesa | Safe Santa Barbara Neighborhood Just Steps Away From the Beach
- Population: 4,511
- Average rent: $2,673
- Median home price: $2.46 million
- Alta Mesa crime: 1,798 per 100,000 people (23% lower than the national average)
Alta Mesa is easily one of the best places to live in Santa Barbara. This gorgeous neighborhood is incredibly safe, with a crime rate that is 23% lower than the national average. If you want to live near the beach, then you should absolutely consider Alta Mesa. This Santa Barbara neighborhood is just a few minutes away from some of the best beaches in the city, including 1,000 Steps Beach and Leadbetter Beach. In fact, because of Alta Mesa’s elevation, many homes in the area come with stunning views of the beach!
Alta Mesa is a wonderful area for families and is home to top-rated schools such as Conscious Kids Preschool and Monroe Elementary School. There are also plenty of parks for your children to safely play in, such as Honda Valley Park and Escondido Park.
Eucalyptus Hill | Peaceful Area Close to Many Major Attractions
- Population: 2,046
- Average rent:$2,320
- Median home price: $3.91 million
- Eucalyptus Hill crime: 1,934 per 100,000 people (18% lower than the national average)
Eucalyptus Hill is one of the best Santa Barbara, California neighborhoods for those who want a laid-back style of living while still being close to all of the action. This gorgeous neighborhood is characterized by large houses that are set far apart, so you will have all of the privacy you desire. Many of these homes contain gates, long driveways, and swimming pools.
Although Eucalyptus Hill feels secluded, it is close to many of the city’s major attractions. The neighborhood is just a short drive away from the Santa Barbara Zoo, East Beach, and Butterfly Beach. Eucalyptus Hill also contains the popular Montecito Club, which provides members with an 18-hole golf course, fitness center, bowling alley, movie theater, and more.
San Roque | Affordable Santa Barbara Neighborhood With Gorgeous Real Estate
- Population: 2,854
- Average rent: $2,400
- Median home price: $1.91 million
- San Roque crime: 2,380 per 100,000 people (1% higher than the national average)
If you are searching for the best place to live in Santa Barbara, then look no further than San Roque. This nice neighborhood is situated just off of SR 192, allowing for easy access to the rest of Santa Barbara. San Roque is largely residential, so you won’t see too much tourist traffic in the area.
It is no secret that real estate in Santa Barbara is expensive, but San Roque offers some of the most affordable homes in the city.Real estate prices in San Roque are down 18.6% compared to last year. The market is also cooling down, with homes sitting on the market for an average of 20 days, compared to 9 days last year. Most of the homes in San Roque were built in the 1930s and offer a charming blend of both comfort and modern beauty.
Foothill | Peaceful Neighborhood Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Population: 1,191
- Average rent: $2,400
- Median home price: $2.26 million
- Foothill crime: 2,380 per 100,000 people (1% higher than the national average)
Located just north of San Roque, Foothill is a hidden gem of Santa Barbara. This neighborhood is home to just over 1,000 people and contains beautiful houses complete with mountain, ocean, and island views. Although Foothill is close to San Roque, many of the homes in this area were built later on between 1960 and 1980. Most of the properties in this area are one-story, Spanish style houses.
If you love the outdoors, then you should strongly consider living in Foothill. Foothill is just a short walk away from the Inspiration Point Trailhead, which can take you to some of the best hiking spots in all of Santa Barbara. It is also close to other outdoor attractions, such as Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and Skofield Park.
Lower Riviera | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Santa Barbara
- Population: 4,639
- Average rent: $2,320
- Median home price: $2.21 million
- Lower Riviera crime: 1,461 per 100,000 people (38% lower than the national average)
Lower Riviera is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for families. The crime rate is well below the national and state average, and the area doesn’t see much vehicle traffic, making it safe for your children to play outside. There are many incredible schools nearby, including Roosevelt Elementary School and Santa Barbara Middle School.
Lower Riviera is within walking distance of Santa Barbara Downtown, so this area is perfect for those who want to experience downtown while still living in a large home. Just a quick walk down the road will take you to some of the best attractions in the city, such as the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Alameda Park.
Oak Park | Up and Coming Neighborhood Close to the Best Healthcare in the City
- Population: 2,356
- Average rent: $2,318
- Median home price: $1.40 million
- Oak Park crime: 5,347 per 100,000 people (128% higher than the national average)
Located just north of Santa Barbara Downtown, Oak Park is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. This neighborhood is characterized by charming 2-story homes ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet.
Oak Park is one of the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for young professionals in the healthcare industry. The neighborhood is home to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, which offers many incredible job opportunities. On the flip side, it is also great for those who want to be close to top-notch medical care. Although the crime rate is higher in Oak Park, most of the crime falls under the category of property crime, which can be prevented by locking your doors and windows and keeping valuables out of your vehicle.
Cielito | One of the Best Santa Barbara Neighborhoods for Outdoor Lovers
- Population: 1,493
- Average rent: $2,377
- Median home price: $4.25 million
- Cielito crime: 1,461 per 100,000 people (38% lower than the national average)
If you are searching for the best place to live in Santa Barbara, CA, then look no further than Cielito. Although homes in Cielito are expensive, you will own some of the best real estate in the entire city. The large homes in Cielito are often around 2,500 square feet and come with some of the best views in Santa Barbara.
Cielito also contains wonderful opportunities for nature lovers. The neighborhood is home to the Rattlesnake Canyon Trailhead, Skofield Park, and Parma Park. If you have older children, then Cielito could be a great option for higher education. Cielito is within walking distance of Westmont College, which is a top-rated private Christian liberal arts college.
West Mesa | Popular Beachfront Neighborhood in Santa Barbara
- Population: 2,512
- Average rent: $3,583
- Median home price: $2.43 million
- West Mesa crime: 1,798 per 100,000 people (23% lower than the national average)
If you want to live on the beach, then check out West Mesa. West Mesa is one of the best Santa Barbara neighborhoods for people of any age. This neighborhood is characterized by gorgeous beachfront homes and kid-friendly streets complete with sidewalks and street lights. This neighborhood is also one of the safest in Santa Barbara, with a crime rate that is well below the national and state averages.
West Mesa includes Mesa Lane Beach, which is popular among surfers, so there is always something going on in the area. The neighborhood is also home to Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, which is one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. The real estate prices in West Mesa greatly differ, with homes closer to the water being much more expensive than those located inland.
Santa Barbara Neighborhoods Map
If you are ready to make your move to one of these Santa Barbara neighborhoods, then let the experts at Movegreen help you! Our experienced Santa Barbara movers are here to make your upcoming relocation as smooth and stress free as possible. Give us a call today at 866-684-7336 to discuss your move and receive a free quote.
