Santa Barbara Homes for Sale

Santa Barbara, California, is the county seat of Santa Barbara County. Often referred to as the "American Riviera", Santa Barbara boasts a mild, Mediterranean climate and is a popular tourist and resort destination. Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000, making it the second largest city in the county. Santa Barbara is situated on the Pacific coast, on a section of coastline that trends east-west. The city is bordered by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city covers 42 square miles, 22.5 of which is water. It is located about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara Homes for Sale and Real Estate

Santa Barbara has a strong architectural style, with much of the city designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Most of the homes in Santa Barbara are California bungalows, built primarily in the early 20th century. Many Victorian homes can be found in the Upper East section of town. There are city ordinances prohibiting billboards and regulating other outdoor advertising, so the city remains virtually free of that visual clutter. Santa Barbara home prices are not only among the most expensive in California, they also rank high on a national scale. Santa Barbara is a college town, and as such there are a large number of students living in the area as well as the cultural amenities that a university brings to a community. In addition Santa Barbara has a large population of residents who work in art and media, which adds to the city's general character and charm.

Santa Barbara Neighborhoods

Santa Barbara is divided into many neighborhoods, each with its own history, architecture and culture. The neighborhoods can be defined as:

• The Mesa
• Mission Canyon
• The Riviera
• The Westside
• The Eastside
• The Waterfront
• Lower State Street
• Upper State Street
• San Roque
• Samarkand
• Hope Ranch
• Noleta
• Goleta
• Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Economy and Employment Opportunities

Being a tourist destination, Santa Barbara's local economy is greatly influenced by the hospitality industry. In addition, there are several aerospace and defense companies located here that make up a large portion of the city's employment. The top employers in Santa Barbara are:

• University of California, Santa Barbara
• County of Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
• Santa Barbara City College
• Santa Barbara School Districts
• Raytheon
• Sansum Clinic
• City of Santa Barbara
• United States Postal Service
• Santa Barbara Bank & Trust

Santa Barbara Attractions

With its year round temperate climate, beach location and rich history, there is no shortage of recreational activities in Santa Barbara. Some of the things locals and visitors can enjoy include:

• Arlington Theatre
• Santa Barbara International Film Festival
• Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra
• Mission Santa Barbara
• The Presidio of Santa Barbara
• The Fiesta
• Santa Barbara French Festival
• West Beach Music and Arts Festival
• Summer Solstice Parade
• Stearns Wharf
• Rafael Gonzalez House
• Moreton Bay Fig Tree
• Santa Barbara Zoo
• Santa Barbara Museum of Art
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
• Casa Dolores

Santa Barbara Transportation and Commuting

US Route 101 runs through Santa Barbara, connecting the city with San Francisco to the north and Los Angeles to the south. Local bus service and electric shuttles are provided by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. Regional bus service is provided by Ventura Intercity Service Transit Authority and the Clean Air Express bus. The city maintains an extensive route of bike paths for cyclists. Amtrak offers rail service through the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner lines. The nearest airports are Santa Barbara Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

More Information on Homes for Sale in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Map

Compass
801 Chapala St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805-253-7700
Realtors & Staff

Requisite Luxury Properties
7 W. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805-570-9968
Realtors & Staff

SB Wealth, Inc.
1435 Anacapa St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805-456-3600
Realtors & Staff

Keller Williams Realty Santa Barbara
1511 Chapala Street
Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 456-3600
Realtors & Staff

Goodwin & Thyne Properties Inc
2000 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805-899-1100
Realtors & Staff

Goodwin & Thyne Properties
2000 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805-899-1100
Realtors & Staff

Alemann and Associates
315 Meigs Suite 118A
Santa Barbara, CA
805-637-3378
Realtors & Staff

Compass
1101 Coast Village Rd. Suite B
Montecito, CA
805-253-7700
Realtors & Staff

Sotheby's International Realty
1165 Coast Village Rd. Suite A
Montecito, CA
805-969-9993
Realtors & Staff

Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
1170 Coast Village Rd
Montecito, CA
805-969-5026
Realtors & Staff

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Home for Sale near Santa Barbara