Entire home

Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown.

Photo gallery for Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown.

Outdoor dining
Kitchen (6-burner Wolf stove) with living room behind
Dining
View of living room from the kitchen
Gorgeous upstairs master bedroom, with huge balcony. Like a treehouse!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 6278.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Upper State Street
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Mission Santa Barbara
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

queen bed downstairs in basement

1 Queen Bed

Second large bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Third bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

end-of-upstairs hallway bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Main floor half bath

Toilet

Master bath

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Rec room bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown.

A gorgeous kitchen, beaches nearby, hugely expansive yet very private environment. Your family will be very peaceful and happy here!

Our house is a beautifully designed and crafted large home in the rural-feeling Los Positas valley only 2 minutes from Hendry’s Beach and 5 minutes from downtown. 3 bedrooms upstairs, finished basement, 3.5 baths. Huge high quality kitchen with large Wolf stove. Kitchen opens to spacious living room surrounded by windows. Total privacy once you enter the home.

Henry David Thoreau would have loved to have done his writing from our living room, kitchen, dining room, or balconies. This home is beautifully designed and crafted with the highest quality materials. The architects and builder put primary effort into creating a natural, open environment that connects very well to the gorgeous outdoor space, which is a natural corridor down to Hendry's Beach. At the same time, the home is located only 5 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, and less than a mile to the beach.

Architectural details include a sensitivity to light and space that makes the interior of the house appealing at all times of day, high end stonework and woodwork, mahogany floors, arched custom-built wooden doors, hand made stair banister, and a gorgeous master suite.

The kitchen features a granite countertop island with second sink, soapstone countertops, beautiful walnut cabinets, and a six-burner Wolf range/stove with a built-in griddle. Other built-in features include a high-quality hi-fi system with speakers in each room, a recreation room entertainment center with large flat-screen TV, and a high quality surround sound system.

We purchased the home because of the natural setting. Arroyo Burro Creek (a trickle in the summer) wraps around two sides of the property, down a steeply sloped 30' stepped bank lined with eucalyptus trees. The outer part of the yard is frequented by birds and lizards, and the evening resounds with owl hoots and the chirping of tiny frogs. We have also seen a beautiful bobcat, herons, a coyote, a beautiful gopher snake, and multiple other bird species. We share a driveway with four other houses, but you hardly know they are there, as the backyard is huge, wraps around the house, and is very large and private.

Given the open forest feel of the property, it might be surprising as to how close we are to downtown Santa Barbara and to many Santa Barbara attractions (5-10 minutes). Hendry's beach is a five-minute bike ride away and one of the best local surf spots. The Boathouse restaurant here serves a great meal (fresh fish, salads, burgers, desserts), and you are just 50 feet from the water as you eat. It's our favorite place to take our kids.

Eilings park ( is across the street and down about 100 yards. It is full of mountain bike and hiking trails, tennis courts, a BMX course, and athletic fields. All the attractions of down-town area Santa Barbara (Mission, Courthouse, other historic downtown sites, State Street restaurants & shopping, harbor, zoo, art museum, Natural History Museum & planetarium, farmers markets) are within biking distance or a five to ten-minute drive. Although you would never know it, we are 2-3 minutes from the freeway, which makes getting anywhere (to the airport, other beaches, shopping centers, UCSB, or City College) extremely easy and quick.

Because we are a real family who lives here some of the year, we have some other things that might interest some guests, including bikes, boogie boards, and surf boards, and a warm, outdoor warm water shower for rinsing off after a trip to the beach.

Property manager

Betsy Phillips

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Wonderful home for a family.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No Sand in the house. Nothing but water down sinks and showers systems.
Due to drought, please take short showers and be considerate of water use.
Please turn STOVE OFF and all lights off (especially basement lights) when not here.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 71608

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Santa Barbara

Located in Las Positas, a neighbourhood in Santa Barbara, this holiday home is in a rural area. Travellers looking for local activities can try Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf, while those looking to experience a bit of culture can stop by Santa Barbara Bowl. Santa Barbara Zoo and Earl Warren Showgrounds are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking.
Map
Santa Barbara, CA

What's nearby

  • Earl Warren Showgrounds - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Upper State Street - 4 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Mission Santa Barbara - 6 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 9 min drive - 7.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 10 min drive
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Super Cucas Meat Mar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Large, beautiful home within walking distance to ocean and downtown. located?

Located in Las Positas, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Elings Park and Earl Warren Showgrounds. Arroyo Burro Beach and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful place to stay
From the moment we booked our stay the experience was terrific. We were contacted by the owners prior to arrival to make sure we had everything we needed. Any questions we had were answered quickly and with great care and attention. The house itself fit our family of 4 perfectly. And we had plenty of room to spare. Santa Barbara is a great place to visit and we were always just a 10 or 15 minute drive from anywhere we wanted to go. So easy. So peaceful. We didn’t want to leave and we are already thinking about when we can return. Thank you thank you.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Meredith B., Los Angeles, CA

Nicest homeowners on the planet :)
Betsy and Bill went above and beyond to create a nice vacation rental for us. They asked questions about the things we liked and left activities, toys, and even surf boards for the kids. They were attentive every step of the way. I find it hard pressed to think of another situation where the homeowners would be so thoughtful. The house itself is a beautiful home and very functional for a family with kids. We even enjoyed fresh vegetables from the garden. The house sits in a cul de sac and there are some other neighbors on the street. Even the neighbors are friendly. But once inside the house you feel you are in a very private spot. Lizards abound - which our young kids had great fun counting. It is situated close to Elings park which is a beautiful park. For a family getaway close to downtown Santa Barbara but in a quieter area this is a good option especially for families.

10/10 Excellent

Ted K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Property and Amenities !
We enjoyed a wonderful family gathering at this amazing property. Cooking meals in the gourmet kitchen, sitting outside on the cozy patio surrounded by trees and gardens. Great location close to beach and town of Santa Barbara which made bike rides using property owner’s bikes very easy and convenient. Great bedroom setup with separate bathrooms for 3 bedrooms. This property is very special and we will be back again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

Magical Family Christmas
Three generations shared this gorgeous and spacious home nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara. The home is everything described in words and pictures on the site, and the hosts are warm, loving, and accommodating. The kitchen and dining area were the perfect place for us to prepare a feast with all the trimmings. The holiday more than exceeded our expectations; it was something right out of a movie. The home is just a few miles from downtown Santa Barbara; close enough to enjoy all the city has to offer, yet far enough away to be quiet and serene. It is well maintained and spotlessly clean. Betsy and Bill answered all inquiries within hours. I would recommend this home to people of all ages for anything from a romantic getaway to a reunion or any occasion.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Katie G.

A fabulous place for a family getaway!
We absolutely loved our stay! Our family loved the layout of the home and how spacious the yard was. It's a perfect place to take kids. Our kids loved the trampoline, exploring in the yard, and their own private quarters in the basement. The house is very spacious and yet still feels cozy. The kitchen is a great entertaining/cooking kitchen. Its close proximity to the beach, freeway, shopping, and SB hub made it a great location! The homeowners are very accommodating and made us feel welcome at their home! We will definitely come back!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leslie W.

Charming, warm and relaxed
We stayed for several days in celebration of our son's wedding. The house perfectly met all our needs for this event and we especially enjoyed sitting out in the back patio, enjoying conversation and lots of bird activity. The home was very clean and organized and I would certainly recommend this property to others. It was close to all our planned events at Elings Park and Leadbetter Beach. We enjoyed a final family dinner at The Boathouse nearby.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

stephanie s.

Peaceful and relaxing
Betsy and Bill have a very comfortable, cozy home. The common rooms, LR, DR and kitchen are large and spacious. The kitchen is equipped for a gourmet chef. Every amenity is available. We were 3 adult couples and ended up using the basement bedroom instead of the third bedroom which really worked out well for everyone. We each had a spacious bedroom and a private bathroom and lots of privacy from each other at night. If all of this wasn't enough, the highlight is the outdoor environment. While close and easily accessible to the freeway, the home makes you feels like you are off in a forest. Everywhere you look, there are trees. The backyard is huge and peaceful and relaxing. There are large windows or glass patio doors throughout the common rooms and master bedroom. Everywhere I looked, I could see trees! It was so pretty! i highly recommend renting this home for a relaxing family weekend. I'm looking forward to spending some time there again! Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark M., Austin Texas

Lovely Home in a Private, Natural Setting
The home was extremely comfortable and spacious. All aspects were high quality especially the kitchen appliances. Also, there was comfortable indoor and outdoor seating for relaxing and dining. The privacy was a special surprise as we felt like we were in a nature preserve. Our entire family was very impressed and would eagerly use it again. The Monroe family
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kayla P., Yokohama, Japan

Wonderful, memorable stay
We had a wonderful stay at Betsy and Bill's beautiful home. It has a large chef's kitchen which is well-equipped and makes preparing meals as a family a terrific experience. Their backyard is gorgeous and spacious and includes a vegetable garden. The house is equipped with a Sonos speaker system which plays throughout the house which is a great feature which we enjoyed during our entire stay. The property is a short five-minute drive from a beautiful beach which we enjoyed almost every day. Within walking distance, there is a park with trails and fields for playing sports. We would highly recommend this property to anyone looking to stay in Santa Barbara!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jason R.

Great Space, Great Location, Great Owners.
We had fresh kale, tomatoes and basil from the house's garden. Grilled and ate a wonderful meal outside. Biked to the beach. Slept with windows wide open, enjoying the nice outside temperatures and quiet area. Great place and I can't wait to go back.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eric S.

The Perfect West Coast Getaway
I could go on and on all day and night about just how amazing this home, it surrounding area, and the accommodating owners were before, during, and after our group's stay. The home is spacious and the neighborhood, community, beaches, and city are all gorgeous. If I'm ever in Santa Barbara again, I know exactly where I'll be staying!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

martha v.

Wonderful!
Betsy was such an incredible hostess. When she saw how many people were in our group, she immediately went out and found a few more bicycles for us to use during our stay. She has wonderful recommendations for hikes, walks, beaches, farmer's markets etc. The house is absolutely lovely. It is comfortable, spotless, beautiful and everything that one needs for a relaxing, fun stay is there. We wished that we had booked for a longer stay and hope to come back!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Casey A.

Great Trip!
Betsy and Bill were terrific every step of the way and the family loved the house! Everything is clean and in good shape. The kitchen was well appointed and the beds very comfortable! We plan on visiting again in the future!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Brandon J.

Excellent home!
We had such a wonderful experience in this home. The owners were so kind and went out of their way to make sure we were happy and that we had everything we needed. We will certainly stay again if we are in that area. This property is highly recommended.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andre H.

Amazing experience!!
My wife and I have not had the opportunity to go on a vacation in quite some time, considering the hectic nature of my work. We were able to book this wonderful home at a very reasonable le price and we're incredibly pleased with the home. Bill gave us a tour of the property and was able to give us some great insight into some of the beaches in the area. There were boogie boards, surfboards, beach towels, and toys available for use. The neighborhood is super quite and secluded, as well as within biking distance from the beach (only a mile away). The amenities within the house are great and the interior is gorgeous. There were five of us total and there was more than enough room for all of us, without getting into each others way. We would most certainly go back!! All in all, a great experience.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shandiz H.

Loved It!!!
My family and I stayed here for a long weekend and it was fantastic. My family had a wonderful time and wanted to know when we were coming back. The home is centrally located so you are never more than a few minutes to something (State street, the beach, etc.) I love to cook so the kitchen and garden were by far my favorite parts of the home. The garden truly was a lovely bonus which we took full advantage of. There wasnt a meal made that didnt incorporate something from the garden and there is something special about eating a warm cherry tomato straight from the vine. I would definitely recommend this home to anyone considering a stay in SB.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Deborah A.

Very comfortable and lovely home
This property is in a great location. The area is quiet and rural but only minutes to the center of town and the beach. This home is very clean, well maintained and there were three comfortable bedrooms and a 4th queen bed in the finished basement den. Well appointed kitchen with high end appliances and a garden of tomatoes, lettuce, plums, basil and more that was made available to us during our stay. Eco minded owners require composting,recycling and conservation of water by having only two periods a day when hot water is available for showers. All in all this was a very good rental with owners who care and are available for questions. I would highly recommend
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

joanna s.

LOVED!!
We had the best time at this spacious, beautiful, and comfortable home! The home owners couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. I would recommend this home without hesitation and hope I'll have the chance to stay here again myself.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elaine S.

Elaine
We had a wonderful time staying in your lovely home! We enjoyed eating in your beautiful yard and when we could tear ourselves away, exploring the area. You have been such gracious hosts& this was the perfect spot to stay while we were in town for a magnificent wedding. Thank you so much for sharing your piece of paradise!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Beautiful Santa Barbara Home
Our family of 10 stayed in Betsy and Bill's home over the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As described, the house is spacious with an open floor plan and the basement allows for flexible sleeping arrangements. The gourmet kitchen could easily accommodate various people milling about, and there was plenty of dining space for us all to gather together. We especially enjoyed the surround sound system and the gorgeous woodwork and stonework. While the neighbor's property is close by, we barely noticed once inside the home. The surrounding nature (and generous number of windows to enjoy it) provided plenty of privacy. We even saw a bobcat on our last day--incredible! We were so impressed with the ease of getting around to the beaches and downtown. To top it off, Betsy and Bill were so warm and helpful. We truly felt welcomed and recommend this rental to anyone visiting the area.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful, peaceful rental
My family stayed at this house for a week over July 4th weekend to celebrate our daughter's 2nd birthday and had such an amazing time The house is wonderful, incredibly peaceful, and has everything you need for a great stay. With the huge windows and great views of trees, the house really feels like it's in the middle of nature and away from it all. It's a great place to relax. The kitchen and bathrooms are all beautiful and the house is very clean. The kitchen is completely stocked and all drawers in the bathroom, closets, etc. are empty for renters' things. The owners have left some items for renters like guitars, games, etc. which is great. Our daughter loved the large trampoline in the backyard. The location is very convenient to so much in Santa Barbara, and it's a close bike ride to the beach. What makes the house so special, though, is the owners, Betsy and Bill, who are honestly the nicest people we have ever met and continually went out of their way to help make our stay great with restaurant recommendations and any help we needed. We wish we lived closer so that we could be friends with them and see them often. If you have a chance, get a massage and pilates lessons from Betsy - she's amazing! The neighbors are also so nice and let our daughter pick vegetables from their garden and use their children's bikes. A very special rental and highly recommended.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

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Amazing House in Santa Barabara
My family stayed here for a week, and we had a fantastic time. The house is gorgeous, and Betsy and Bill were fantastic hosts. This house has absolutely everything – convenient location, beautiful decor, plenty of space, really comfortable beds, great backyard, huge kitchen and everything you could possibly need for the beach (towels, chairs, umbrella, etc.) Highly recommend!

About the host

Hosted by Betsy Phillips

Host profile image
We love having wonderful couples and families enjoy our home, who love nature, the beach, and being together. We are from Colorado and Vermont, but have spent many years living here in Santa Barbara, a very magical place to live!

Why they chose this property

What is not to love?! We are situated in a very private nature's paradise, next to a bike path that leads us right down to the beach. Our home is both very open, designed to access nature at every turn, but is also very private, so that we feel we are at home in the woods, just minutes away from everything we need, including a farmer's market, the ocean, and access to all kinds of entertainment, to downtown.

What makes this property unique

Our property and home are extraordinary. The home was built from 2007-2012, is handcrafted and full of the finest details in terms of both design and build. Built against open space, the home is filled with rounded arch doorways, huge windows, and fully private, so you will not see anyone else, once you arrive. You will feel safe, will hear the sounds of birds and frogs, can sit up in the trees and enjoy total peace and happiness, the beach just five minutes by bicycle, down a gorgeous bike path. The home is open, the kitchen is professional and spacious, the bedrooms are connected to our natural surroundings, and you will feel extremely rested once you spend a bit of time here.

Languages:

English, Spanish