Upper East

Historic streets within walking distance of the Mission and downtown

The Upper East rises gently from downtown toward the Santa Barbara Mission, and it’s widely considered one of the city’s most prestigious addresses — not for size, but for history. Large portions of the neighborhood sit inside the El Pueblo Viejo Historical Landmark District, which shapes what can and can’t be changed on the exterior of many homes.

Lifestyle

Quiet, walkable, and close to the city’s cultural core — the Mission, the Courthouse, Alameda Park — while staying minutes from State Street’s restaurants and shops. It’s a neighborhood residents describe as feeling like a step back in time without sacrificing convenience.

Architecture & homes

Spanish Colonial Revival homes with red-tile roofs and arched doorways sit alongside Victorian and Mission Revival houses dating to the early 1900s. Many properties are large, set back on landscaped lots, with hedges and walls that balance privacy with the neighborhood’s open, historic character.

Schools

Part of Santa Barbara Unified, with Roosevelt Elementary serving much of the area — a short, walkable distance for many families here. See the full School Guide →

Amenities

Alameda Park, Alice Keck Park, and the Mission’s rose garden are all within walking distance, alongside the boutiques and restaurants along upper State Street.

For sellers

Because much of the Upper East sits within a historic district, homes 50 years or older may be subject to historic review before significant exterior changes. That’s worth understanding early — before listing or planning any updates — since it affects both timeline and what buyers can expect to do with a property after closing.

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⌂ Equal Housing Opportunity

Karina Matic — CA DRE #01726170
Santa Barbara, CA · +805 680 7701

Karina Matic is affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, an independently owned and operated broker member of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Brokerage License #01317331 · 3868 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.