$2,039,450Average Value$1,659Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Picturesque views in southern Santa Barbara neighborhood
Set between downtown Santa Barbara and the calm, blue Pacific Ocean, West Beach is a lively waterfront area with panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. “You’ll see people sitting outside on their patios with their cocktails and wine,” says Caleb Overton, Realtor for Keller Williams and longtime Santa Barbara resident. “It’s an out-and-about community—the beach is right there and closer to lower State Street and the Funk Zone.” Along with tons of vacation rentals, housing here consists mainly of Spanish-style condos with impressive courtyards. All ages reside here, including some students from Santa Barbara City College. Mature trees line the perimeter of significant thoroughfares like West Cabrillo Boulevard, where people stroll the wide boardwalk passing sand volleyball courts. They also pass the intricate Syuxtun Story Circle, a 20-foot-wide mosaic that tells the story of the Chumash Native American tribe, the first inhabitants of Santa Barbara. People here enjoy swimming, lounging and surfing at the beach, walking near Stearns Wharf for local shopping and eating, and gathering at the Santa Barbara Harbor for annual holiday events and festivals.
Overview of the breathtaking harbor in West Beach.
West Beach has a harbor in which many people take out kayaks.
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Plenty to do at Leadbetter Beach and the Santa Barbara Harbor
Surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and relaxing at Leadbetter Beach are all popular pastimes in the neighborhood. Because of its flatness, the beach is also a popular spot for beachfront yoga classes from local studios. Boaters dock and launch from the Santa Barbara Harbor to go fishing or scuba diving in the deep blue waters of the Pacific. Folks can even take a boat tour 22 miles off the coast to Channel Islands National Park to kayak through sea caves and check out seals, pelicans and even whales. The nearby Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has detailed exhibits about the harbor’s history and environmental preservation. Farther inland, the 8-acre Pershing Park features eight lighted tennis courts, two softball fields and a baseball diamond surrounded by green foliage. The 15-acre Shoreline Park is about a mile west of the area and includes a playground, paved walking paths and a stairway leading to the rock-covered beach below. For a break from the beach, residents can attend Vaqueros football and soccer games at Santa Barbara City College’s on-campus La Playa Stadium.
West Beach residents have access to miles of beautiful Californian beaches.
Take your paddleboard out on the harbor in West Beach.
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Gridded streets with million-dollar condos in West Beach
The sidewalk-lined streets of West Beach are laid in a grid and shaded by rows of coastal live oak and sycamore trees. Street lamps dot roads here, and most people park in the street in front of their residences. Homes consist of single and multifamily properties within walking distance of the beach and nearby parks, and most of them are dispersed throughout the northeast pocket of the neighborhood. The area also houses tons of short-term vacation rentals. “There could be a $3 million condo that’s used as a second home next to a rental,” Overton says. Late 20th-century condos with Spanish-tiled stairs and stucco exteriors are typically priced from $1.5 million to $3.5 million. These units sit in resort-like communities like Harbor Court and feature pools next to saunas, well-manicured courtyards with stone fountains and small back patios overlooking towering palm and fruit trees. Some condo HOAs charge more than $700 in monthly fees, which may cover earthquake insurance, trash collection and grounds maintenance. A few early 20th-century built cottages and bungalows with Spanish influences are scattered around West Beach. These one to two-story houses have small front entryways and fenced-off yards with rust-colored terracotta roofs. Prices range between $1.7 and about $2.8 million.
Large palm trees provide West Beach residents plenty of shade.
The West Beach neighborhood is a vibrant community in Santa Barbara, CA.
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Perusing artwork in the Funk Zone
The Funk Zone, an energetic shopping and art district near the eastern side of West Beach, is a central gathering spot for socializing and events. Locals can go to bimonthly wine, dine and shop events where tons of small businesses stay open late so visitors can browse through jewelry and artwork and eat savory snacks. In July, the city hosts its Fourth of July celebration along West Beach’s waterfront and Stearns Wharf; crowds gather with lawn chairs and blankets on the sand to mingle, eat local food, listen to live music and watch the fireworks over the water.
Belgian waffles at Chad’s and clam chowder at Breakwater
Residents in West Beach are within walking distance of several beachfront eateries. Chad’s Café is a local favorite serving all-day breakfast foods like steak and eggs and Belgian waffles paired with mimosa flights. For lunch, Breakwater Restaurant serves its highly rated New England clam chowder and fish tacos under bright, turquoise umbrellas next to white boats in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Residents can order Cajun seabass and swordfish at Brophy’s Bros or walk along Leadbetter Beach farther west in the neighborhood to grab seafood and fruity cocktails at the Shoreline Café. For groceries, neighbors can pick up a few essentials at Harbor Market or pop by the Santa Cruz Market near the northern border for fresh produce, a full-service meat department and salsa made in-store. The Stearns Wharf, located on the eastern portion of West Beach, also features a handful of restaurants and shops; fisherman can purchase bait and fishing gear at Stearns Wharf Bait and Tackle, and The Great Pacific Ice Cream Company sells locally made sherbet and ice cream. Paseo Nuevo shopping mall is about a mile drive north of West Beach and is filled with dozens of clothing and accessories boutiques like Bungalow West and Elenita.
Chad's Cafe is a popular brunch spot by the water in West Beach.
Breakwater Restaurant is hot tourist spot in the harbor at West Beach.
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Hands-on learning at San Marcos Senior High
The area is zoned for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Kids start at McKinley Elementary, which offers kindergarten through sixth grade and is rated C-plus by Niche. For seventh and eighth grade, students move on to La Cumbre Junior High, which earns a B from Niche, and then San Marcos Senior High, which scores an A. The school is known for its Health Careers Academy, where students get hands-on training in nursing, kinesiology and sports medicine. Santa Barbara City College is located within the community for post-grad plans; the school offers career pathways like healthcare, anthropology and journalism.
McKinley Elementary School challenges West Beach students to do their best.
Students love to learn at La Cumbre Junior High School near West Beach.
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Walkable avenues in West Beach
Folks in West Beach can connect to U.S. Route 101 on the northern border to get to other city neighborhoods like East Beach and Bel Air. The area is highly walkable -- most subdivisions have sidewalks, and a wide paved walkway stretches along West Cabrillo Boulevard. Streets like Castrillo and Montecito feature bike lanes, and Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses make stops in and outside the area. Locals can also access a Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Service that runs along West Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street, and an Amtrak Station is near the neighborhood's northeast corner. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a 3-mile drive northwest of the area, and Santa Barbara Airport is 10 miles west via U.S. 101, where residents can get flights to major West Coast cities like San Francisco and Seattle.
Enjoy beautiful views of the harbor on your walk in West Beach.
There are a wide selection of housing styles inWest Beach.
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Staying prepared for any tsunami threats
West Beach is in a tsunami warning zone. Even though the likelihood of one coming to shore is low, Santa Barbara County recommends that coastal homeowners know their evacuation zone and how to get to higher ground in a coastal emergency. Folks are also encouraged to register for Ready SBC alerts for any live updates during environmental emergencies, and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department warns residents to avoid downed power lines and stay clear of buildings where heavy objects may fall during a tsunami.
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Live & make money at the beach! Rare to find Zoning that allows Short-Term-Rental: rent daily, weekly or long-term. Avail for the 1st time in 40 years to live in this fully furnished truly 'Turn Key' Spanish duplex in Santa Barbara's coveted West Beach. Live 3 blocks from the beach & 2.5 blocks from downtown's State Street & the Funk Zone. Blocks to dining, wine tasting, Sterns Wharf, the Harbor
Mark SchneidmanBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Live & make money at the beach! Rare to find Zoning that allows Short-Term-Rental: rent daily, weekly or long-term. Avail for the 1st time in 40 years to live in this fully furnished truly 'Turn Key' Spanish duplex in Santa Barbara's coveted West Beach. Live 3 blocks from the beach & 2.5 blocks from downtown's State Street & the Funk Zone. Blocks to dining, wine tasting, Sterns Wharf, the Harbor
Mark SchneidmanBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Live steps from the beach and enjoy effortless urban living in this pristine West Beach villa! Move-in ready and boasting more than 2,300 sqft, this 3 bed/3 bath condo is well-suited as a full-time residence or ideal as a beach pied-a-terre! Inside, discover a haven of elegant comfort and meticulous craftsmanship. Graceful details include a private elevator, beautiful hardwood flooring & marble
Charming 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom upper unit available that sits 2 blocks from the beach, the Funk Zone, and State St. Included within the unit is: 2 car parking, french doors, new forced air/heat, new laminate wood flooring, new cook-top, refrigerator, dishwasher, and new custom paint. Laundry on site. Please call/text to make an appointment to view the unit. One year lease offered; $4,400 security
Incredible opportunity to live in the heart of Santa Barbara located near Stearn's Wharf, State Street, The Funk Zone, and the Harbor! This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit has hardwood floors throughout, an open floor plan, and an outdoor deck for enjoying the sunshine and ocean breeze.
Welcome to our Santa Barbara Beach Getaways, where serenity and sophistication come together in the beautiful West Beach area. Our collection of 12 thoughtfully designed and fully furnished spaces offer unique ambiances, from contemporary elegance to Spanish-European romance. Soak up Santa Barbara’s enchanting weather as you walk along the beach and explore local art galleries, boutiques, and
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Ainsley Hughes,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,153
Median Age
37
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$101,429
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,865
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
56.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
73/ 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.
