Living in Bel Air Knolls Santa Barbara
Bel Air Knolls is a Santa Barbara community of homes nestled on a hilltop between Las Positas Road, the Westside, and the Mesa. Also neighboring this community is the popular Elings Park, which features baseball and soccer fields, a BMX bike park, numerous walking trails, playgrounds and picnic areas, wedding and event sites, and even a paragliding and hang gliding training site on its long, beautiful bluffs. Elings Park is “the largest privately funded public park in America,” and the Santa Barbara community is grateful to benefit from such a multifaceted gem.
As far as real estate goes, Bel Air Knolls is a prime area to find properties that are set back from Santa Barbara’s coast (and corresponding fog line and marine layer) while still maintaining convenient access to Arroyo Burro Beach and Park, Elings Park, and the Douglas Preserve, three of the most popular “dog friendly” attractions in all of the Santa Barbara area. Bel Air Knolls provides a definite neighborhood feel, with very wide, sidewalk-lined streets and a lack of through-traffic. It is also located at a very central point, being close to downtown Santa Barbara, the Mesa, stores and restaurants at La Cumbre Plaza, and is within easy freeway access for commuting to Goleta or Carpinteria.
Bel Air Knolls Santa Barbara Neighborhood Map
Why Locals Love Bel Air Knolls Santa Barbara
Housing Market in Bel Air Knolls
The Bel Air Knolls real estate market is is also well regarded for its consistent inventory of homes below the $1 million price tag that still offer 2,000+ square feet of living space. Great deals abound, though buyers often see the homes in their current outward appearance as starting points for future aesthetic improvements. With lot sizes and homes so spacious, a little imagination and investment is all it takes to transform some of these properties into a buyer’s dream home.
Lifestyle in Bel Air Knolls
With development along Las Positas Road kept at bay, and the vast and scenic Elings Park bordering it to the south, Bel Air Knolls is a residential community surrounded by Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. Residents also enjoy quick access to Arroyo Burro Beach Park.
Schools in Bel Air Knolls
Bel Air Knolls is directly adjacent to La Cumbre Junior High School, where passionate teachers offer an academically challenging, content-rich curriculum. Various elementary schools are nearby along with Santa Barbara High School.
Architecture in Bel Air Knolls
The architecture in Bel Air Knolls is a mixture of craftsman, Spanish style, and Mid-Century Modern. With a large selection of homes built in the 1970s, Bel Air Knolls offers a great opportunity for buyers looking add value through cosmetic retouches.
Dining in Bel Air Knolls
Although there are few dining options within Bel Air Knolls, you will find countless restaurants within minutes. To the west is The Mesa, where you have the popular Mesa Burger and Mesa Verde, an award-winning vegan hotspot.
Drive Times in Bel Air Knolls
The neighborhood also has very convenient access to the 101 Freeway and shopping on upper State Street, while its hilly, tucked away location and lack of through-traffic keeps it a quiet and peaceful place to live.