Carpinteria

The Carpinteria Valley is located in the southeast corner of Santa Barbara County. A once sleepy town, full of flower fields and large agricultural tracts, it is now home to many who were atracted to its location close to Santa Barbara, and home to the World's Safest Beach!

Carpinteria´s beautiful natural setting and small town charm remain relatively undiscovered. Enjoy the small town pleasures, where tree-shaded streets, parades and craft shows are a big part of its draw. Dozens of antique stores, small shops and restaurants are situated along the main streets of Carpinteria and nearby Summerland, making the area a window shopper's paradise.

Carpinteria is also home to the world-renowned surfing area off Rincon Point, and a protected sea lion rookery. The flower business still thrives, as do many experimental farms, now growing blueberries, chermoyas and other exotic fruits.

Downtown Santa Barbara

State Street divides the downtown Santa Barbara area into East and West, starting at the waterfront and continuing through the commercial district, including El Paseo and Paseo Nuevo malls, to Uptown Santa Barbara near La Cumbre Shopping mall. Our downtown area features older, character homes, plus income properties and the now popular mixed-use buildings, which combine luxury condominiums with commercial space.

Many people prefer to live in the downtown area because of the ease of walking everywhere: movie and theatrical theaters (Arlington, Lobero and Granada) our public library, and dozens of Zagat-rated restaurants and boutique shops. There is something for everyone in the downtown area

Goleta

Just minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, Goleta is home to the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), our regional airport, and many golf courses. Previously home to the aerospace industries, it is now the location of the Silicon Beach of California.

There are many large neighborhoods of tract homes built in the 1960's and 1970's, built to meet the demand of the influx of aerospace industry workers. In the foothills, there are exquisite custom homes with ocean and island views. After the 1990 Painted Cave Fire, more than 400 new homes were built in this area. Combining all that the area offers with a mild year-round climate, beautiful natural surroundings and homes that offer "more for your money" than those located in Santa Barbara, Goleta is considered a best buy by many!

Hope Ranch

From 1888 until the 1920´s, Hope Ranch was developed by the Pacific Improvement Company, helping to create its well-deserved image as a wealthy suburb of Santa Barbara. The members of the Hope Ranch Park Homes Association, which was established in the 1930´s, enjoy private beach access with picnic tables and BBQ facilities, summertime lifeguards, palapas, and a raft anchored just a bit off shore. There are tennis courts, a polo field, private security patrol and many miles of dedicated riding trails.

Laguna Blanca, private school, is located within the area of Hope Ranch. The prestigious La Cumbre Country Club, complete with pool, 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts is found at the entrance to the Ranch. There is a long wait list for membership at the club, but it is well worth it!

Hope Ranch has a nice blend of homes built primarily in the 1940's through 1950's, as well as its share of new mansions, built in the last decades. The minimum lot size, 1.5 acres, creates a lovely rural feel and there are many estates that are significantly larger. (The largest recorded sale of a private residence in Santa Barbara county took place in Hope Ranch, 2006.) Hope Ranch continues to maintain the standards of suburban living which have been in effect since the late Harold S. Chase advertised his "sun-kissed, ocean-washed, mountain-girded, island-guarded Hope Ranch" more than half a century ago

Mission Canyon

Ethel Barrymore, the late empress of stage and screen, once told a friend, "Fortunate indeed is the person who can live in Santa Barbara, and doubly blessed if his home is located in Mission Canyon."

Three miles of foothills and wooded canyon which starts at the Mission and ends just below the Riviera create Mission Canyon. Infamous for its beautiful natural environment and numerous hiking trails, this area is heavily forested and home to an eclectic assortment or ranch style and contemporary homes.

The area has been a popular neighborhood communion for Santa Barbara´s artists, writers, musicians and educators for a long while. The Natural History museum lies deeper within the area, a perfect compliment to a perfect natural environment.

Montecito

Montecito, with only eight square miles of hedgerowed neighborhoods, has been the destination of choice for celebrities and millionaires since the late the 19th century.

In the late 1800's, the wealthy foks from back east discovered that Montecito was not only a lovely place to vacation but also a good spot to recuperate at the local hot springs. Grand estates were built throughout the Montecito area and most have been lovingly maintained over time. Small cottages were built for the "help" and remain today, as affordable housing for those who covet the Montecito school districts.

Much of Montecito has changed over the years - one can find condominiums near the beach, small cottages tucked down little lanes, and, of course, mega mansions built by the "new barons" who have discovered Montecito. If you would like to see what is available for sale through our local Multiple Listing Service, feel free to browse the FREE MLS to search specifics of what type of home you are looking for. Because many homes sell without coming on the market, call me for those much sought-after "pocket listings." If you are planning to relocate, come visit us and stay at any of our wonderful Montecito Hotels; we enjoy special rates at the Biltmore, located across from Butterfly Beach and just a short walk to Coast Village Road. I look forward to preparing a tour for you - so please email at k@kathleenbarnato.com or TEXT message me at 805-570-3366 if you would like a FREE Brochure on Montecito.

Montecito has definitely become a desirable second home location for many international residents. Whether in the entertainment industry looking for a short commute to Los Angeles or someone looking for a relaxed lifestyle in one of the prettiest places in California, you´ll find Montecito to be just what you are looking for.

Riveria

Bridging the two mile span that separates Mission and Sycamore Canyons, the sylvan uplift which Padres knew as the "mission ridge" has for the past 65 years been known as the "Riviera," due to its resemblance to the slopes along the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy. Santa Barbarans lucky enough to live on this ridge attach premium value to their homes because of their unsurpassed views of the city, mountains, sea and islands.

The Riviera is famous for its semitropical appearance. The flowing curves at the west end of Alameda Padre Serra today mark the old streetcar right of way, the curves being essential to provide a gradient which electric cars could negotiate.

One of the older and more stabilized neighborhoods in the city, the Riviera also ranks as one of the wealthiest and best-educated. "We know how lucky we are not to have to go to Europe to enjoy the Riviera lifestyle," one cosmopolite commented. "We´ve got a better Riviera right here in Santa Barbara."

Samarkand

If "Samarkand" means "the land of heart's desire", the name certainly fits this centrally-located neighborhood since three out of four owners have achieved the American Dream - ownership of a single family home! This is a truly a lovely neighborhood of sweet cottages, Spanish-style homes and custom homes built primarily in the 1940´s and 1950´s. Samarkand is unique in that it has all underground utilities making for great star watching on a moonless night. Pride of ownership is evident in this beautiful, traditional neighborhood also home to The Samarkand Retirement Home and Santa Barbara lawn bowling. Two beautiful parks are found nearby: MacKenzie and Oak Parks.

San Roque

Nestled between the gentle peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is justifiably famous for its exceptional beauty, red tiled roofs, thriving arts community and miles of palm lined beaches.

Residents and tourists alike are mesmerized by Santa Barbara´s stunning scenic backdrop of mountains and sea, lush landscaping and Mediterranean climate. Santa Barbara´s unique east-west coastline (the only one from Alaska to Cape Horn) shelters the area, bringing on average 300 days of sunshine in tropical conditions and enabling an exciting and rich diversity of flora to thrive.

Santa Barbara is home to some 90,000 residents and still exudes the warmth and relaxation of a small town, yet has the major attractions of a metropolis. For a city of its size, Santa Barbara enjoys an extraordinary cultural wealth, surfing, including five museums, three grand old theaters showcasing the performing arts in classical style and the lectures and other events of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

It is truly one of the best places in the world in which to live. Children are blessed to grow up here, given the excellent public and private schools, abundance of beaches and parks, and seemingly infinite number of activities available to them. There are plenty of Santa Barbara attractions such as restaurants, wineries, golfing, horseback riding, kayaking and anything else you could think of to do under the sun! "Santa Barbarians," as we happily call ourselves, are a lucky bunch.

Santa Barbara

Nestled between the gentle peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is justifiably famous for its exceptional beauty, red tiled roofs, thriving arts community and miles of palm lined beaches.

Residents and tourists alike are mesmerized by Santa Barbara´s stunning scenic backdrop of mountains and sea, lush landscaping and Mediterranean climate. Santa Barbara´s unique east-west coastline (the only one from Alaska to Cape Horn) shelters the area, bringing on average 300 days of sunshine in tropical conditions and enabling an exciting and rich diversity of flora to thrive.

Santa Barbara is home to some 90,000 residents and still exudes the warmth and relaxation of a small town, yet has the major attractions of a metropolis. For a city of its size, Santa Barbara enjoys an extraordinary cultural wealth, surfing, including five museums, three grand old theaters showcasing the performing arts in classical style and the lectures and other events of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

It is truly one of the best places in the world in which to live. Children are blessed to grow up here, given the excellent public and private schools, abundance of beaches and parks, and seemingly infinite number of activities available to them. There are plenty of Santa Barbara attractions such as restaurants, wineries, golfing, horseback riding, kayaking and anything else you could think of to do under the sun! "Santa Barbarians," as we happily call ourselves, are a lucky bunch.

The Mesa

Mesa, a Spanish word meaning "table," has been applied to the flat bench fronting the ocean along Santa Barbara´s southwestern border since mission days. The Mesa is one of the oldest historical neighborhoods in the city, paradoxically it is one of our youngest residential districts.

Artists and writers have a special affinity for the Mesa as a carefree place to live. City weather records show that the Mesa´s winter temperatures are 10 to 12 degrees warmer than downtown, and 10 to 12 degrees cooler in the summer.

This climate attraction, plus the spectacular marine views, caused a housing boom after World War II. This residential area has pleasant tracts of ranch style homes, a few condominiums, and many newer ocean/island view properties. A mile of rolling greens called Shoreline Park tops a cliff which drops to the sea. The Mesa extends to he Douglas Family Preserve, a large vacant area in natural condition purchased by the citizens of Santa Barbara several years ago in order to preserve this unique, undeveloped area for perpetuity.

Upper East

Large lots and beautiful custom homes are found in the Upper East of Santa Barbara. There is a higher percentage of older single-family homes in the neighborhood than in any other of the city´s neighborhoods, creating a less-crowded, desireable location to call home.

In the early 1900's, this was the neighborhood in which Santa Barbara´s wealthy citizens built their fine homes. Architectural styles range from early Spanish to Victorian to Craftsman. Details from a bygone era still are found: sandstone curbs, hitching posts, mature trees and landscaping, all of which make this one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. Home to La Mision de Santa Barbara, known as the Queen of the Missions, and the well-tended Rose Garden park.

Westside

The "Westside Story" of Santa Barbara is laid in our city´s first suburb. Cottage Hospital and its surrounding laboratories, rest homes, professional buildings, clinics and other medically-oriented satellites, have made it very convenient for local residents.

City hall recognizes the Westside as the oldest established residential area in town: six out of ten houses were built prior to 1940. Santa Barbara´s Westside is one of the last frontiers for that great American tradition, one that is daily becoming scarce- the single family home.