$1,798,242Average Value$983Average Price per Sq Ft33Homes For Sale
Coastal neighborhood near Santa Barbara
Set in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Eastern Goleta Valley is around 5 miles west Santa Barbara. It has a low-key beach-town vibe and isn’t as densely populated as its high-profile neighbor. “In Goleta, you’ve got all the amenities of Santa Barbara; you’re close to the beach, shops, everything you want, but at a much lower price point,” says Keller Williams agent Caleb Overton, a resident of the area since 1999. Goleta has a good school system and is rich in natural beauty and green space.
More Mesa Beach in East Goleta Valley has breathtaking views.
Head to East Goleta Valley to find a new community.
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From simple ranch to massive estates
There is a slight diversity of housing in East Goleta Valley, which is mostly single-family, with pockets of condos and townhomes. “You’re hitting around the $1.3 million mark here; it’s closer to the $1.8 million market in Santa Barbara,” Overton says. “A lot of the inventory was built in the 1950s and '60s, all the way up to the 1980s, and then you’ve got new construction.” Homes in East Goleta Valley include mostly stucco ranch-style houses, cottages and Spanish-inspired homes. Single-family pricing is between $900,000 for about 1,400 square feet needing renovation and over $5 million for something larger and fully updated. Condos and townhomes are priced between $600,000 and $2 million. “The proximity to the university makes this a great area for investors because you have a huge supply of people looking to rent in the area,” Overton says.
Spanish style homes are popular in East Goleta Valley
Find your new home in East Goleta Valley.
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Schools all graded A by Niche
Families with children in Eastern Goleta Valley are served by Goleta Union Elementary School District, Santa Barbara Unified and San Marcos Unified School District, which earn an A-minus, A and A-plus from Niche, respectively. All three schools in the public-school pipeline earn an A from Niche. Foothill Elementary is in the top 10% of all public elementary schools in the state, according to Niche. Goleta Valley Junior High School is the second-best middle school in the Santa Barbara area. San Marcos High School has career technical education in hospitality, entertainment, health science and product development, among other programs.
Eastern Goleta Valley is just east of the University of California, Santa Barbara, a major employer in the area known for its science and engineering programs.
Kellogg Elementary School.
Dos Pueblos Senior High School.
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Goleta Lemon Festival
The city of Goleta keeps residents active and engaged with several signature events each year. The Goleta Valley Historical Society’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July is one of the biggest annual events, attracting adults and children of all ages. Neighbors gather in August for Goleta’s Dam Dinner, a free event with local food trucks where people eat and enjoy beautiful views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. The city’s signature event is the Goleta Lemon Festival, which takes place each September at Girsh Park. A pie-eating contest, classic car show and vendor booths are among the festival highlights.
Walking trails and private beaches
East Goleta Valley has unpaved walking trails and paved bike paths perfect for hiking, biking and dog walking. More Mesa Beach is one of the most popular outdoor spaces in the region. Sitting on the Pacific coast, the narrow strip of sand mostly disappears at high tide and is only accessible by a steep stairway down from the cliffs. Tucker's Grove Park is an option further inland known as a gathering place for picnics; the trail following San Antonio Creek is another popular spot. Rhoads Park is a much smaller park, just over an acre in size, with a playground and benches. The neighborhood also has a lot of designated green spaces like Tarragona, Tabano Hollow and University Circle open space.
More Mesa Beach is a great place to walk the dog in East Goleta Valley.
Take the grandkids to Tucker Groves Park in East Goleta Valley
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Shopping and dining on Calle Real
There are a few commercial business districts in East Goleta Valley, including Calle Real, which runs adjacent to U.S. Route 101. There is an Albertsons and Trader Joe’s for stocking up on groceries and essentials. The Calle Real Shopping Center has a few dining options. Backyard Bowls is an eco-friendly health food option offering acai bowls and smoothies, and Meum Fan Thai Café has a laid-back atmosphere with great drunken noodles. South on Hollister Avenue, Crushcakes & Cafe is locally owned and operated since 2008. They serve scratch-made breakfast, lunch, coffee and cupcakes.
Old Town Coffee is a popular social hub in East Goleta Valley.
The best pho in East Goleta Valley is located at Noodle City.
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Santa Barbara Airport close by
Eastern Goleta Valley is situated on the 101, which runs north to the Bay Area and south through Santa Barbara, about a 10-minute drive, and then south to Los Angeles. The Santa Barbara Airport is about 4 miles west via the 101 or Ward Memorial Boulevard, and airport noise is a consideration on the west side of town. Most residents have cars, but bus stops along Hollister and Fairview avenues are operated by the Metropolitan Transit District.
East Goleta Valley has public transportation.
Aerial view of East Goleta Valley
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Significant wildfire risk
Set near the mountains with thousands of acres of natural areas, wildfire risk is real in Eastern Goleta Valley. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department monitors the area and operates an online and text alert system to keep residents aware. Increasingly hot summers capped by dry winds and droughts are a risk to homebuyers in the region.
Written By
Amber Steinmetz-Cole
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Palacios
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Lisa Lee
Responds Quickly
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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
Lisa Lee,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Tucker's Grove Park
Rhoads Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
University Circle Open Space
Goleta Beach Park
Bike Trails
Boating
Fishing
Tarragona Open Space
Dog Park
Soccer
Trails
Tabano Hollow Open Space
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
23 min drive
Bus
Cathedral Oaks & Alpha Resource
Bus
Calle Real & Turnpike West
Bus
Hollister & Turnpike
Bus
Calle Real & Patterson
Bus
University & San Marcos
Bus
Hollister & San Ricardo
Bus
Hollister & Sport Center
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Goleta Valley
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Goleta Valley, Goleta sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Goleta Valley, Goleta over the last 12 months is $1,812,441, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
NOW PRICED TO SELL! This is a rare opportunity to own a private contemporary retreat in a highly sought-after Santa Barbara location. Tucked away on a peaceful private lane above Cathedral Oaks, this beautifully remodeled single-story home offers modern luxury, privacy, and convenience. Set on a secluded 0.93-acre lot, it's just minutes from shopping, dining, and everything Santa Barbara has to
Lisa Lee
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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''Exit Patterson and head for the hills,'' as the saying used to go— and now you can do just that at this 1971 gem designed by architect Donald E. Pederson. Nestled just half a mile from Cathedral Oaks in a Cul-De-Sac, 1040 May Court captures the classic style North Patterson is known for.Set on a generous 8,712 square foot lot, with views of the Santa Ynez mountains, the property is dotted with
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542 San Marino Drive -- Santa Barbara Living, Reimagined. Cruise straight from your front door to the beach or UCSB via the Obern Trail bike path, then come home to your own private paradise. This stylish 3-bed, 2-bath single-level gem sits on a lush, grassy lot in one of Santa Barbara's most mobile friendly, welcoming neighborhoods. Enjoy spacious front and back yards perfect for alfresco
Furnished More Mesa Area CharmerAvailable for 30-night min. Next available dates start Sept 1, 2025This remodeled 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is light, bright, and beautiful. The open common area includes the kitchen, living room, and dining room, all with oak wood floors. The kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances and new cabinets. The backyard is perfect for entertaining with a hot
Our lush and landscaped apartment community is uniquely positioned to offer you the best of the Santa Barbara lifestyle. Our garden-style community gives residents the option to stay close to the city while being far away enough from its noise and busy streets.Within 10 minutes, you can reach some of the most prominent locations, from reputable employers to popular restaurants. Some of
UNFURNISHED 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse in the highly sought after Winslowe Development with community pool, hot tub, fire pit, BBQ, club house, dog park, garden, and bocce ball court! Built in 2020, this modern unit features a large kitchen looking out to the dining room and living area, in unit laundry, two covered balconies (with a fire pit and outdoor seating area included if desired).
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Lee,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
28,052
Median Age
45
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,831
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$146,219
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.6%
College Graduates
51.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
15/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 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.
