The world-class Santa Barbara waterfront is truly unique. Very little residential development has been allowed in the waterfront areas, with most of the land preserved for public use as parks and beach, or for tourism-related uses such as motels and restaurants. All the land on the ocean side of the main beach boulevard is forever beaches, parks, harbor and public concessionaires, so there are no real estate opportunities right on the sand in Santa Barbara’s waterfront.
In the couple of blocks behind the beach boulevard (Cabrillo), and before the freeway that marks the beginning of downtown, there are 3 distinct neighborhoods: West Beach (by the harbor and State Street) is a mix of motels, 2-4 unit buildings, apartments, a couple of condominiums associations, and a small handful of single family homes. The “Funk Zone” opposite State Street from West Beach is a largely low-key commercial and industrial/artsy area – but there are a few new residential condominiums in the area too. East Beach is 1.5 miles down the waterfront away from downtown, and features 2 large and desirable condominium associations – East Beach Townhomes and El Escorial Villas. Please visit the website www.SantaBarbara2ndHomes.com for a summary and map of real estate now for sale in Santa Barbara’s waterfront.
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