$2,373,917Average Value$1,167Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Million-dollar views and high-end homes
Named for the Spanish Colonial mission built in the late 1700s, Mission Canyon is a scenic hillside suburb. This picturesque community is in the shadow of the Santa Ynez Mountains, just 3 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara. “These are view properties up on the hill, so you’ve got very specific buyers because homes are high-priced and most don’t have a traditional yard,” says Keller William agent Caleb Overton, a resident of Santa Barbara since 1999. “Buying here is all about the million-dollar views. On a clear day, you can see the city and the ocean.” Overton says some properties have unobstructed views on the east and west sides, allowing homeowners to see the sun rise and set each day.
Mission Canyon is a great place to start a family.
Welcome to Mission Canyon in Santa Barbara, CA.
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Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
The outdoor experience is a massive draw to Mission Canyon. “It has its own microclimate. You get warm air from the mountains and breeze from the ocean,” says John Finseth, a second-generation Santa Barbara resident and Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “It’s like being in a convertible with the top down and the AC on.” The neighborhood bumps up against some of the best hiking spots in the region. Inspiration Point Trailhead winds through the mountains above the neighborhood and has different trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Hikers enjoy expansive views, majestic sunsets and natural land features like waterfalls and massive rocks.
Rocky Nook Park is a classic community park with a playground, picnic tables and barbecue pits. The trails are a great place to walk along a creek in the shade of overarching tree growth. Mission Canyon is home to the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens, a living museum of native California plans set on 78 acres. Over 5 miles of easily walkable trails wind through a towering coastal redwood forest, wild-crafted gardens, including a Japanese tea garden, and a cacti-filled desert. The grounds offer expansive views of the San Ynez Mountains and the city’s Channel Islands. Poppie season each spring is particularly worth the price of admission.
Trails at Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are very popular in Mission Canyon.
Flowers at Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens in Mission Canyon.
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Most homes lack yards
Mission Canyon is a primarily residential neighborhood of single-family homes lining long winding streets. A wide range of architecture is represented, with most homes largely built between the 1920s and ‘70s. Among the properties are classic cottages and Craftsmans, midcentury ranch-style homes and Spanish-inspired estates. Streets lack sidewalks, and lots are tightly packed south of Montrose Place, with more room to spread out going north. “Most of these homes don’t have yards, so instead, you’re going to see larger decks, big windows and cascading landscaping around staircases,” Overton says. “There really isn’t any new construction either; it’s mostly upgrades and expansion of existing properties.” Prices range from around $1.4 million for three bedrooms, about 1,500 square feet, to $4.6 million for a four-bedroom home with almost 5,500 square feet. Lot size and the view figure into the overall cost.
Mission Canyon has lots of single-family homes to choose from.
Spanish-style homes are also common in Mission Canyon.
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School district in the top 10 percent
Children are served by Santa Barbara Unified, ranked in the top 10% of school districts in California by Niche, which gives it an A grade. Kids can start their education at Roosevelt Elementary, an above-average school graded B-plus by Niche but with an A in diversity. The next step is Santa Barbara Junior High, another B-plus school. Santa Barbara Senior High is a highly rated standout school graded A by Niche. Established in 1875, the school’s grand Spanish-inspired primary building was built in 1924 and has been designated a historic landmark by the state and city. The school has robust academic programs, including pathways and academies in sports medicine, construction tech, culinary arts and computer science.
Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Barbara challenges and encourages children to learn.
Welcome to Santa Barbara Junior High School.
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities.
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Shopping and Dining
About 3 miles from Mission Canyon, residents can shop for groceries at Whole Foods on State Street, one of the city's primary local thoroughfares leading into downtown. La Cumbre Plaza is a shopping center with national retailers like Target and Macy's and restaurant options. Lure Fish House is a high-end option for locally sourced seafood, and Backyard Bowls is a health food offering.
William Sonoma near Mission Canyon is a hot spot for kitchen items.
Los Agaves is another popular Mexican restaurant near Mission Canyon.
There are a number of cafes to choose from in Mission Canyon.
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Ten-minute drive to downtown Santa Barbara
Due to its rustic residential nature, a car is required in Mission Canyon, which has no public transportation options. There are bus and train options in Santa Barbara, but nothing this far north. “It’s not that far from everything, so I wouldn’t call it a remote area,” Finseth says. “The nice thing is you also don’t get all the noise from the freeway, trains, or airport. It stays pretty quiet.” The neighborhood is 3 miles north of downtown, a breezy 10-minute drive most of the day. The airport and the University of California, Santa Barbara, are about 10 miles west via I-101.
Going for a walk down State Street is a popular activity for locals in Mission Canyon.
There are many great lunch spots near Mission Canyon.
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Fire risk is a real concern
Prospective buyers in Mission Canyon should beware of significant wildfire risk. “You’ve got the wonderful views here, but fire is a big worry,” Overton says. Not only is the fire risk high but the neighborhood is also laid out as a winding series of roads with many dead-ends and few entrances and exits. Communities bordering wildlands like Mission Canyon are particularly at risk in California, where fire insurance is becoming more expensive as companies continue to pull out of the state.
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
Geoff Rue,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Rocky Nook Park
Trails
Playground
Hiking
Mission Lawn
Mission Historical Park & Rose Gardens
Mission Historical Park
Jesusita Trailhead
Trails
Hiking
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Trails
Botanical Gardens
Transit
Airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
32 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mission Canyon
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $2,519,602, down 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Timeless charm meets modern design in this character-rich 1920s Mission Canyon residence. Full of architectural detail, the home features soaring vaulted ceilings with exposed trusses, leaded glass windows, and an original carved fireplace, bathed in natural light. Enjoy sweeping ocean and island views from nearly every room, plus seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a spacious stone patio and flat
Kelly KnightBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Mission Canyon Retreat! Welcome to this prime single-level home in the heart of Mission Canyon. With 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, there's plenty of space for family, guests, or a home office. The kitchen has been tastefully updated and opens to a formal dining area—perfect for gatherings and everyday meals alike. The spacious primary suite offers a peaceful retreat with a walk-in closet and dual
Experience world-class views and extraordinary privacy: this Mediterranean Modern is elegantly sited on a 1.93 acre knoll top just minutes to downtown Santa Barbara. Featuring 3 beds 3 baths with approx. 2,600 sq ft of beautifully upgraded living space, expansive decks, and huge picture windows showcasing panoramic ocean, mountain, and city vistas. Recent updates include a private elevator,
Perched in Mission Canyon, Olive Hill is one of Santa Barbara's most spectacular view properties, offering breathtaking ocean, island, and mountain vistas. This stunning 2011-built Spanish-style estate spans 14.59 acres, featuring a 4BR/4BA main house with vaulted ceilings, wood floors, a chef's kitchen, fireplace, and French doors that open to multiple patios for seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Tucked away on a peaceful private lane in the highly sought-after Mission Canyon, this delightful 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offers a rare combination of comfort, privacy, and character. In addition to the main residence, the property includes a cozy 1-bedroom, 1-bath adobe guest cottage and a separate guest studio with a full bath—perfect for visitors or rental potential.The upper part of
Dan CrawfordBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Welcome to 2911 Holly Road, a 4,216 + sq. ft. 5 bedroom and 5 bathroom mid-century modern estate set atop a private 2 acre knoll with breathtaking views of the Santa Ynez mountains, the Santa Barbara foothills, and the Pacific Ocean. Nestled within the Mission Canyon neighborhood of Santa Barbara, this property offers an unparalleled blend of privacy and seclusion while being just minutes from
Timm DelaneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Available 6/15-7/15 @ $13K/mo, 9/15 onward @ $15K/mo, furnished.Perched in the desirable Riviera/Mission Canyon area, this stunning remodeled Spanish estate offers breathtaking ocean, mountain, and city views from nearly every room. Spanning 3,039 sq ft, this 5 bed, 3.5 bath home showcases exquisite craftsmanship, with handmade tiles, hardwood floors, artistic wrought iron fixtures, soaring
Mary WhitneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Offered Furnished, Year Lease.Nestled in the heart of tranquil Mission Canyon, just steps from the Santa Barbara Mission, Rocky Nook Park, and the Natural History Museum, this impeccably restored and expanded 1910 Santa Barbara farmhouse offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Set behind gates on a fully fenced private acre, the home features 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (two
Mary WhitneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Welcome to 2911 Holly Road, a 4,216 sq. ft. 5 bedroom and 5 bathroom mid-century modern. estate set atop a private 2 acre knoll with breathtaking views of the Santa Ynez mountains, the Santa Barbara foothills, and the Pacific Ocean. Nestled within the Mission Canyon neighborhood of Santa Barbara, this property offers an unparalleled blend of privacy and seclusion while being just minutes from
Timm DelaneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Geoff Rue,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,323
Median Age
51
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$181,569
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$194,057
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
65.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
26.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65%
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®
17/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
11/ 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.
