Ballard, CA Homes for Rent

Ballard, a neighborhood in Los Olivos, features a mix of paved residential streets and rural county roads, with scenic views of farmland along Alamo Pintado Road. The housing market is tight, with properties rarely coming up for sale. Central Ballard has ranch-style homes and cottages from the 20th century, often with covered patios and garden space. Larger ranch-style houses, farmhouses from the 1960s to 1980s, and modern mansions from the early 2000s are found in the outer areas, many with in-ground pools, horse stables, and fruit groves. Local highlights include nearby vineyards like Rideau Vineyard and Lincourt Vineyards, and grocery options such as Los Olivos Grocery and El Rancho Market. For recreation, residents visit Foxen Canyon Ranch in Los Olivos or Sunny Fields Park and Hans Christian Andersen Park in Solvang. Ballard is car-dependent, with bike lanes on Alamo Pintado and North Refugio Road, and a Santa Ynez Valley Transit bus stop at Baseline Avenue and Alamo Pintado. The community is zoned for highly rated schools, including Ballard Elementary, Santa Ynez Elementary, Santa Ynez Valley Charter, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High. Annual events like Solvang’s Julefest and Los Olivos’ Jazz and Olive Festival provide cultural and social activities for residents. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is 3 miles south, and Santa Barbara Airport is 35 miles southeast.