$1,284,145Average Value$1,284Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Waterfront community focused on outdoor activities
Distinguished by the rainbow-colored Chromatic Gate, East Beach in Santa Barbara is an oceanfront community focused on recreation and an active lifestyle. “It’s where you’re doing your running, walking, and beach volleyball—you can jump in and grab a game any time,” says Lori Akers, Realtor Berkshire Hathaway, who works near the area. The neighborhood attracts families because of the high-rated schools, and Akers says people from L.A. buy second homes here to escape to on the weekends—some of which may or may not be celebrities. “I have a friend who said she saw Oprah’s [partner] walking on the beach there,” she says. Along with soaking in the views of swaying palm trees and affluent resorts on East Cabrillo Boulevard, folks here enjoy playing soccer at local parks with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a background and grabbing drinks at bi-monthly art events in the Funk Zone, a beloved commercial and cultural district here.
Beach volleyball tournaments and biking near Chase Palm Park
Locals have about 2 miles of white sandy beachfront to explore in the community. Beach volleyball is the activity of choice here, with over 20 courts to access and the East Beach Volleyball Academy, where kids and adults play in AVP America tournaments and get private lessons. The acre-Chase Palm Park features a shipwreck-themed playground, bike pathways and open grassy areas next to a scenic pond. The park hosts a free city-run concert series and is a popular wedding rental site. Skateboarders can try new tricks at Skater’s Point, and Dwight Murphy Field hosts youth soccer games and has a fitness training circuit course. In 2024, local nonprofit Gwendolyn Strong Foundation announced plans to build Santa Barbara’s first all-inclusive in the field, with specialized equipment for people of all abilities. Arguably one of East Beach’s most beloved attractions, the 30-acre Santa Barbara Zoo sits on the northern border. The park is home to more than 146 animal species like penguins, giraffes and native California condors. The zoo also features the Kallman Family Play Area with kid-sized dinosaur eggs and a train that travels around the park.
Volleyball is a popular activity at East Beach.
Rental bikes are a popular means of public transportation in the East Beach neighborhood.
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Condos mixed with single-family homes in East Beach
The well-kept streets in East Beach are laid out in a grid canopied by Monterey cypress, live oak and mature palm trees. Homes here consist of single and multi-family homes within walking distance of the beachfront. Late 1990s Spanish-influenced condos and townhomes with salmon and tan-color exteriors are found in pockets in the east and western sides of East Beach in gated communities like El Escorial Villas. These properties feature balconies, community pools and fitness centers. Prices range between roughly $650,000 and $850,000 for one-bedroom units and are priced from $1.5 million to $1.8 million for two-bedroom homes, with those facing the ocean on the higher side. Some residents should also expect to pay upwards of $650 in monthly HOA fees, which cover earthquake insurance, grounds maintenance and security. A mix of early 20th-century and midcentury Craftsman bungalows and ranch homes are scattered throughout the community. These two to three-bedroom properties feature narrow cement driveways, tiny front porches, and white picket fences. Prices range from $1.3 to about $ 3 million dollars.
Overview of the East Beach neighborhood in Santa Barbara, CA.
A row of single-family homes lines the street in East Beach.
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Halloween fun at Santa Barbara Zoo
In October, families can check out the week-long Boo at the Zoo event at Santa Barbara Zoo where kids can trick-or-treat in different exhibits, conduct mad science experiments and play in bounce houses. The Funk Zone, a lively district near the western border of East Beach, hosts bimonthly wine, dine and shop events where dozens of local businesses stay open late. Visitors can munch on snacks while browsing through jewelry and art vendors.
Local shopping and dining within a few miles drive
East Beach residents head to the independently owned Tri-Country Produce for organic fruits and vegetables and a large selection of juice. The outdoor shopping mall, Paseo Nuevo, is a 2-mile drive west of the neighborhood full of dozens of small clothing boutiques like Bungalow West and Elenita. Shoppers can also sip on drinks from 805 Boba or eat a soft-served treat from Tondi Gelato’s in the mall’s bamboo-decorated courtyard. Within East Beach, the high-rated Reunion Kitchen serves comfort food like chicken pot pie and short ribs right by the ocean, and nearby Convivo cooks classic Italian meals in its upscale, arched-ceiling dining room. At night, folks can head to the area's east side for drinks at Corks n’ Crowns in the Funk Zone.
Spend the day shopping at Paseo Nuevo in East Beach.
Convivo Restaurant and Bar in East Beach offers a beautiful partially covered patio.
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Impressive athletics at Santa Barbara Senior High
The area is served by the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Kids start at Cleveland Elementary, which offers kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. Santa Barbara Junior High covers grades 7 and 8 and scores a B-plus. The A-rated Santa Barbara Senior High offers a Sports Medicine Pathway where students can take courses geared towards physics and health throughout their high school career. The school is also known for its athletics department, where Baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews and NFL star Randall Cunningham got their start.
Students are the top priority at Cleveland Elementary School near East Beach.
East Beach students can attend Santa Barbara Junior High School for seventh and eighth grade.
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities for East Beach students.
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Walking and bike-friendly streets in East Beach
U.S. Route 101 travels across East Beach’s northern border, giving access to nearby neighborhoods like Montecito. Downtown Santa Barbara is 2 miles northwest via South Quarantina Street. Biking is a popular form of transportation, and folks can access bike lanes on roads like Cabrillo and Milpas. Akers says traffic only picks up on the weekends when people leave town and during the summer when tourists come around. The area is also highly walkable, with paved sidewalks and crosswalks throughout. Folks can hop on Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses, which also make regular stops around the area. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Santa Barbara Airport are within 11 miles of the area via U.S. 101. Residents can get flights to major West Coast cities like Phoenix and Seattle at Santa Barbara Airport.
Head to the beach at East Beach and go for a bike ride with friends.
Rental bikes are a popular means of public transportation in the East Beach neighborhood.
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Preparing for coastal emergencies
Akers says East Beach is in a tsunami warning zone, though they're unlikely to experience one due to nearby channel islands providing a barrier. Santa Barbara County’s website explains that most tsunamis are caused by large earthquakes below the ocean floor or by certain types of weather, and the county recommends coastal homeowners know their evacuation zone before an event occurs. Residents are also encouraged to register for Ready SBC alerts for live updates during emergencies.
Written By
Hannah Baggenstoss
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Palacios
Video By
Mary Desmond
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Lori Akers
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
Lori Akers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Chase Palm Park
Andree Clark Bird Refuge
Dwight Murphy Playground
Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center
Chase Palm Park
Shipwreck Playground
Cabrillo Bike Path
Dwight Murphy Park
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
29 min drive
Bus
Cabrillo & Puerta Vallarta Wb (East Beach)
Bus
Cabrillo & Ninos
Bus
Cabrillo & Milpas
Bus
Cabrillo & Los Patos
Bus
Milpas & Puerto Vallarta
Bus
Milpas & Cacique
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Beach
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Beach, Santa Barbara sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Beach, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $1,602,796, up 62% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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This 2 bedroom 2.5 bath 1954 sq ft home is nestled in one of Southern California's most cherished coastal cities, Santa Barbara. This quintessential Mediterranean villa style unit is in the heart of the vibrant Funk Zone and walking distance from the beach, Santa Barbara's famous waterfront, and State Street shops, theaters, and restaurants. This home features an open floor plan and high
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Rachael DouglasBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lori Akers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,399
Median Age
48
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
9.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$132,291
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$141,904
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
71.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
36/ 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.
