The Mesa

Arguably the most sought after neighborhood in Santa Barbara. Bordered by Elings Park, the Douglas Preserve, Shoreline Park, and Leadbetter Beach, the Mesa encourages an outdoor lifestyle. There are just enough amenities to make this a self-sustained area. Quiet streets, pride of ownership, and a casual vibe combine to attract the most discerning buyers.


Beach

Leadbetter Beach is a haven for beginning surfers and younger ocean-goers, thanks to it’s wide swaths of sand and calm waters. Dog lovers flock to Hendry’s Beach (aka Arroyo Burro Beach) as it is one of the few off-leash beaches in the area.


Shopping

The intersection of Meigs and Cliff is the hub for amenities. Shoppers can find grocery stores like the local favorite Lazy Acres, coffee like Lighthouse, and casually refined cuisine like Cat Cora’s Mesa Burger.


Real Estate

The Mesa was originally an area used to house military members in modest homes. With time, many of these cottages are being added to or replaced with larger homes. Today, there is a lot of money pouring into the area, with renovations seemingly happening on every block.  The graph below shows the median sale price going back to 2017, with the number of sales shown in parenthesis on the x-axis.  It’s easy to spot the massive uptick in 2021 that’s reflective of the desirability of the Mesa. Now, even project properties can fetch well over $2,000,000 depending on location.

median home price - the mesa (in millions of dollars)


Schools

The Mesa features three elementary schools: Monroe, Washington, and McKinley (listed from West to East). That combination makes schools very accessible regardless of which part of the Mesa students are coming from. Buyers are encouraged to do their own research on schools, though historically buyers have paid more to be in the Washington attendance area.


Weather

Due to it’s proximity to the water and the backstop of Alta Mesa, the Mesa can be foggy at times. While other parts of time are consistently sunny and clear, this beachside pocket is often cooler and breezier.


Parks

The headliner is Shoreline Park, with it’s football field-sized grassy areas, children’s playground, and bluff-top walking paths. The Douglas Preserve is no slouch though, with meandering paths, sprawling ocean views, and dog-friendly atmosphere.


We hope you find this information helpful!  If you'd like to get more in-depth and tour the town in person, schedule a tour.