Address: 316 W. Pedregosa St.
Status: On the market
Price: $832,500
My friend Rachel and I get together for breakfast every couple of months to enjoy a leisurely weekend morning catching up and comparing notes. On a recent Saturday, we decided to meet at her new place and then walk to breakfast at Cajun Kitchen.
I had to laugh when she gave me the address on West Islay and then added, “but you can’t access it from Islay.” I’ve seen plenty of Santa Barbara neighborhood scenarios where lots have been divided or houses have been built behind other houses, leaving addresses that don’t necessarily describe exactly where the front of a residence, er, resides. I found Rachel’s house quite easily that day, right in the middle of the block on an alley off of West Islay, just as she had described. She showed me around her fantastic new home, and then we strolled just a couple of blocks to enjoy our breakfast at Cajun Kitchen.
I had a similar experience recently when trying to find an open house at 316 West Pedregosa. It’s not actually on Pedregosa but rather down an alley in the middle of the block, between Pedregosa and Mission, and Bath and Castillo, giving this hidden house a quiet, off-street location, away from the bustle and traffic of the main streets. Any confusion with guests finding an address on Pedregosa that’s not actually on Pedregosa is more than made up for by the privacy of being mid-block.
The house itself is small at 739 square feet but has private enclosed yards both in front and back, making it feel larger, especially on the bright, sunny afternoon that I visited. Everything on the inside of the house is bright, as well, with pale wood flooring and yellow-and-white walls. The windows are enhanced by skylights that let in even more natural light, and high cathedral ceilings add to the expansive feeling. As I poked around the kitchen, it was immediately evident that everything in the house is designed for efficiency, making the most of the space. The stackable washer and dryer tucked into a closet are an obvious space-saver, as is the kitchen counter that doubles as a breakfast bar. The appliances are gleaming. If they aren’t brand new, they certainly fooled me.
I could easily see myself living in this tidy little home, eating dinner out on the patio almost all year long, my privacy ensured by hedges on all sides, listening to the birds sing rather than traffic drive past. The yard is completely fenced and encircles the whole house, so my little dog would be right at home whether or not I was. For the few actual chilly days that we experience here in temperate Santa Barbara, there’s even a gas fireplace in the living room that can be enjoyed from the kitchen, too.
The location is my idea of perfect. It’s near downtown without being in the midst of the downtown scene, and close to everything without being noisy. Being a block from Mission Street means easy freeway access when you drive your car. But you may not drive all weekend, because, of course, Cajun Kitchen is just a couple of blocks from home, which means a great breakfast is just a short walk away.
316 West Pedregosa is currently for sale in Santa Barbara, listed by Gary Goldberg of Coastal Properties. Reach Gary at (805) 455-8910.
