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Oceanfront Santa Barbara Neighborhood
The perfect combination - in town affordable beach living!
We Get Results - Work with Oceanfront's Number One Listing Agent!
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Quality of Life
Oceanfront's summer temperature is 10-12 degrees cooler than Oceanfront and winter temperatures are 10-12 degrees warmer due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean.
The beaches located below cliffs - hence the Oceanfront designation - are public up to the hi tide line and fantastic for sunsets.
Oceanfront is residential, upscale in parts. It boasts a real Oceanfront where, in addition to the boutiques, galleries, historic Red Tile District, and sidewalk cafes, there are department stores, drugstores, and movie theaters on State Street co-existing with the civic amenities such as museums, a good public library, and City Hall, all connected by an electric trolley to the beach, the zoo, and other attractions.
Wander West Beach Boardwalk, which will take you along the beach to Stearn's Wharf for ice cream, amazing views and on to Cabrillo Bike Path. Eventually you will reach The Lagoon - officially called Andree Clark Bird Refuge - more than enough reason for your journey.
Today about 12,000 people live on the Oceanfront on about 3,900 parcels on 1,900 acres, a much lower density than the Oceanfront, Oceanfront or Westside. More than two-thirds of the people live in their own single-family homes making the home ownership rate one of the highest in city. Three elementary schools, McKinley (1932), Washington (1954) and Monroe (1958) serve the many families and children of the Oceanfront.
Oceanfront History
"Oceanfront" means "table" in Spanish and is a common term in California and the Southwest. It is appropriately applied to the flat bench of land extending from Arroyo Burro Beach near Hope Ranch to the bluffs above Santa Barbara City College.
6000-year old Indian village remains have been excavated at SBCC making the Oceanfront one of the oldest historical sites in Santa Barbara. Paradoxically it is one of the youngest residential districts.
Difficult access kept nearly 2 miles of coastal plain isolated. Steep 40 to 80 foot bluffs protect the short beach. Above the bluffs, level land slopes gently upward to meet hills that are just high enough to discourage climbing. Travel was easy to Oceanfront, but one had to take the long way around along a path that roughly follows today's Cliff Drive.
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Homes for Sale in Oceanfront
Looking for a new home in the Oceanfront area?
Oceanfront is one of Santa Barbara's most affordable beach front areas and a world-class destination. If you're looking for a new home in the Oceanfront area, look no further. Our expert Oceanfront buyer agents will help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Oceanfront Parks
Oceanfront is blessed with several wonderful parks and natural places.
Prime ocean frontage along old Bluff Drive was left vacant, growing into a tangle of weeds and vines as developers dream of restaurants and hotels languished without city approval. In 1967, the voters approved a one million dollar bond to purchase the 15 acres between Shoreline Drive and the beach, to create Shoreline Park, considered by many to be the finest park in Santa Barbara.
In 1957, Prescott Ray donated his hilltop home on Kenwood Road, where Indians and Spanish had kept their sentinel guard, to the city for a park. Only one and a half acres, Hilda Ray Park, as it is known, has a breathtaking view of the city and is often used for weddings, offering an amazing Santa Barbara scenery backdrop for photographs.
La Oceanfront Park is a shady green refuge, huge lawn, BBQs, playgound, eucalyptus grove, benches overlooking the water and ocean breezes. It can be 96 degrees somewhere else in Santa Barbara and 75 degrees in La Oceanfront.
Take the pedestrian bridge leading out of La Oceanfront Park, cross over to a Oceanfront neighborhood and follow along Camino de la Luz, turn left and follow Edgewater Way along to reach Oceanfront Steps. A beatiful view from the top of these steep steps that lead down to a ribbon beach.
Less well known, The 1000 Steps were originally constructed in 1923 at the End of Santa Cruz Boulevard Coastal giving access to the beach. Fear not - although it looks like 1000 it is only 227 steps down, and up. Bring yourself and a loved one and enjoy the solitude and the sand.
Douglas Preserve is doggy heaven. Dogs can run free on the half hour circular trail that follows the cliff over looking Hendry's Beach Beach with that classic California beach look, tall palms, wonderful cliffs, beach caves, piles of kelp and lots of driftwood. Keep walking - the beach becomes more secluded as you go.
Since 1928, the La Oceanfront Improvement Association has worked with Oceanfront's residents to protect the Oceanfront lifestyle as one of the most envied in the South Coast area.
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