Ocean & City View Retreat on the Riviera

On a quiet private lane, Riviera Retreat is a beautifully renovated Craftsman-style escape with ocean and Channel Islands views, and sparkling city lights below.
Known as “The American Riviera,” this coveted hillside neighborhood evokes the charm of Europe's seaside resort towns with terraced streets, ocean vistas, and a mild year-round climate.

Leading down to the home, gentle stairs descend past a beautiful manzanita tree, its sculptured branches outstretched across the manicured yard. Inside, timeless Craftsman architecture, rich hardwood floors, and a welcoming foyer create an immediate sense of warmth, comfort, and character.

The living room invites relaxed moments beside the fireplace or in front of the tv, while a sunny window seat offers the perfect nook for reading or daydreaming. The dining room, with a second fireplace, features a large farmhouse table and opens through sliding doors to an expansive ocean-view terrace with two distinct dining areas. Gather casually at the four-top under the covered porch with propane grill, or host larger, sunset dinners as the stars come out. Seating under the eaves provides a couple of cozy places to enjoy the views as the city begins to glow below.

The remodeled chef's kitchen features quartz countertops, a prep island, walk-in pantry, and a striking six-burner Italian Bertazzoni range, along with every convenience for cooking at home. The breakfast table makes a simply suitable location for a spot of tea, or a quick snack before heading out for the day. There is also a powder room on this main floor.

All three bedrooms are upstairs. The serene primary suite features ocean views, a king-size bed, en suite bathroom, and looks down on the terrace and upper east views below. A second bedroom with twin beds and a pull-out trundle comfortably sleeps up to three guests, while the third bedroom offers a queen bed, walk-in closet and peaceful accommodations at the opposite end of the hallway. There is a shared hall bathroom to complete the upstairs. As is typical with many Santa Barbara homes, this property does not have AC. Open windows and the use of fans allow ocean breezes in to keep the house cool during hot summer months.

Enjoy a brisk walk on neighboring streets or head downhill to check out the energy and options downtown. Spend days exploring the scenic hillside streets or head downhill into downtown Santa Barbara for shopping, dining, beaches, and local culture. Nearby highlights include Old Mission Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara County Bowl, while Alameda Padre Serra's iconic rim drive offers some of the city's most breathtaking panoramic views stretching out all the way to Montecito for fine dining and boutique shopping on Coast Village Road. Head out for a full, glorious day, but remember Riviera Retreat is always a lovely, relaxing place to come home to. Get a good night's sleep too; there is so much more to see and do tomorrow in paradise!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: A planned terrace and lower garden project is currently on pause. The terrace remains fully accessible for guest outdoor enjoyment, though the garden below is temporarily unavailable. No construction will take place during guest stays.