albaniagirl

For the most part Santa Barbara is a safe place to live. Maricopa Drive is probably one of the more shadier streets in the city. It is a street that I would not want to walk alone in after dark mainly due to the risk of mugging or some small crime like that. By no means is Maricopa Drive a bad street like the ones that can be found in L.A. but by Santa Barbara standards it certainly is a street that sticks out for all the wrong reasons. Graffiti is visible on some buildings, the road is in need of some patching up in certain areas and there is a lot of parties that happen late at night. I took this way without knowing the area before and was shocked at the amount of noise that I could hear from my car and my windows were rolled up! I think all it needs is just a little TLC.

Alley 100 Block Calle Alamo is lined with Spanish styled houses. A lot of these houses are older that predate the earthquake that hit in the 1920's. This street has a large Mexican population. The Spanish styled architecture mixed in with the cultural aspects of it's inhabits really make this street one of the most diverse in all of Santa Barbara. I take this street a lot because it is very close to State Street and I love the vibrant colors of the Mexican flag and other decorations that line some of the houses. There is also this hot little cafe which sells awesome chimichongas and quesadillas near the Calle Palo intersection on Alley 100 Block Calle Alamo. This street is a great and shining example of the diversity not only in Santa Barbara but also in America.

Camino Del Rio is home for my husband, myself and our two children. I prefer living a little outside of the main hubs of Santa Barbara. My only complaints would be the lack of communication speeds for internet and some phone receptions. It is a great area to raise a family. The street is new. The houses are newer for the most part and reflect the typical California bungalow style which can be found throughout parts of Santa Barbara. There are plenty of trees in the area to appreciate the value of the surrounding nature. My kids get a kick out of watching the birds play in the trees. I love my neighbors. In fact on the weekends we have dinner with a couple of them. It is a great place that is both same and inviting. Everyone knows each other by their first name and nothing out of the ordinary ever happens.

Cathedral Oaks Road is a busy but quiet road. It is mainly it's busiest during the weekdays with commuters going to and from work. With spectacular mountain views to the north and brush to the south this road is ideal for a picturesque drive. Sometimes though when it does not rain for awhile the road can seem somewhat barren because a lot of the brush will get dry and sort of become lifeless looking. There are some houses that stretch along this street but for the most part they are separated by trees and distance. If you are looking for a quiet area to live this would be your best bet. It is relatively a short distance to some of the bigger roads so Cathedral Oaks is very close to everything of convenient value.

Despite it's odd name, County Dump road is a great hidden retreat for nature lovers. Tucked away from the noises and business of the city, this road is rather barren except for the landscape and a few commercial businesses towards the end of Cathedral Oaks road. The road is paved in some areas and covered by quite a bit of gravel. There are some paths off the side of the road that are exceptional for hikers and cyclists. This is a nice road to take a drive down if you don't want to drive outside of the city but want some peace and quiet.

South San Antonio Road is mainly a middle class road. The houses are decent enough but not as spiffy as other areas of Santa Barbara. This is probably a great street for college coeds to all join together and rent a house. One side of the street is lined with houses while the other side is fenced off and used for nothing. That is a waste. I think it is some sort of electric plant because there are a couple of towers behind the fence. South San Antonio road is a dead end and it leads right into the creepy Goleta Cemetery. That place is just creepy. Sure enough there are plenty of local tales of early hauntings especially from the WWII era that draw plenty of kids to Goleta for games of truth and dare. At night there always seems to be fog in this cemetery. I would never want to live on a road that leads to a cemetery. I watch way too many horror movies.

Lassen Drive is exclusively residential. That means there are only houses in the area along with other residential streets. I grew up here with my parents. This street was actually there second home in Santa Barbara after they came from Albania. Thanks to their thriving business they were able to live in a nice area like Lassen drive which gave my brother and I a wonderful upbringing. The houses resemble a bygone era of Spanish architecture with large blossom trees and mismatches stucco roofs. Lassen Drive is a great and charming street with plenty of children to keep each other occupied. The surrounding neighborhood is very safe and it's location keeps out straying motorists which makes traffic somewhat minimal. It is also a great area for older couples to retire.

Ward Memorial Blvd might not be as chaotic as a freeway or intersection in L.A. but it is a very busy street. I would say at least 30% of the motorists are tourists at any given time of the year, especially during the summer months which is probably even higher. Ward Memorial Blvd stretches along I-101 and pretty much serves as one of the main connections in Santa Barbara for getting to locations quickly rather than having to dart through all of the side streets. My biggest complaint is the number of curves. Traffic comes so fast around the loops that it can be dangerous at times. You can also see plenty of cute little houses down below when you pass over the S Kellogg area.

I really don't know if a more beautiful street exists in America than Shoreline Drive in Santa Barbara, California. Shoreline Drive makes up a few other road names that twist and turn along the Pacific Ocean. The water is blue, the views are out of this world and the sun casts a reflection that would rival the heavens! If you want to live on this street you are going to need quite a bit of money. This area is home of the elite in Santa Barbara. You can enjoy the drive though or even a bike ride because there is a nice little paved road that runs along the main road. The beaches are quite popular for surfers, strollers, dog walkers and swimmers alike. This is my favorite road in Santa Barbara and also where I spend quite a lot of time. You must drive through this area. Stop along the way and get out of your car to enjoy the breathtaking views.

If you keep to the edge of State Road you will end up at the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The view is absolutely breathtaking and the sunsets are magnificent. State Road is a lovely street and is a mixture of old Spanish architecture and modern contemporary buildings. Parts of the street are dedicated to well to do houses and other areas of the road are home to businesses that keep the consumers happy. The road is separated by little islands of grass with blossoming palm trees which make navigation for drivers quite easy. The area is connected by a bunch of wires which make communications awesome and is a great place to raise a family.