Living in The Westside Santa Barbara
The neighborhood called Westside in Santa Barbara refers to the area of downtown that is west of State Street up to the base of the Mesa. It extends from Los Positas Road in the north down to East Montecito Street in the south. It is easy to forget, but not all of Westside real estate is west of the 101 Freeway; there are about five blocks of the Westside that are east of the freeway. This small micro neighborhood is considered part of the larger “downtown” market, while the rest of the westside has a more traditional neighborhood feel a bit farther from the noise and hustle and bustle, but with still easy access to downtown. Sometimes people will also differentiate between the Upper and Lower Westside, but that line is even more difficult to define (you will hear above Arrellaga, Anapamu, or Mission Street depending on who you talk to), and is often more of a generality.
The Westside Santa Barbara Neighborhood Map
Why Locals Love The Westside Santa Barbara
Housing Market in The Westside
Westside real estate opportunities vary greatly despite the small size of the neighborhood. You can find everything from single-family homes and condominiums to duplexes and multi-unit properties.
Lifestyle in The Westside
Westside Santa Barbara offers quick access to downtown, which presents restaurants, marquee retail stores, yoga studios, gyms, and more.
Schools in The Westside
The largest school near Westside Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara City College, which attracts students from all around the world. Other nearby schools include Harding Elementary, La Cumbre Junior High, McKinley Elementary School, and Visions Academy Charter School.
Architecture in The Westside
Homes styles also present a wide range, with some large Victorian homes (that often have been split into 3-5 smaller units), California cottages and bungalows, Tudor style homes, and traditional Spanish casitas.
Dining in The Westside
Westside Santa Barbara contains a number of authentic Mexican restaurants. The most popular of these is Super Cucas, a great spot for tacos and burritos. You'll also find Paesano's Pizzeria for an afternoon slice.
Drive Times in The Westside
Situated between Downtown Santa Barbara and The Mesa, the Westside is in the middle of it all. This makes drive times short to most locations across Santa Barbara.