Mesa residents enjoy and appreciate the convenience that the area provides; it is close to many beaches, parks, small businesses and restaurants. The main shopping area is surrounding the intersection of Cliff Drive and Meigs Road. You can get most anything you would need around here – from pharmacies, restaurants, grocery, produce, banks, coffee-shops. A longstanding locals favorite is “Lazy Acres”- a health/grocery store that has a multitude of health and wellness products, gourmet ready-to-eat food sections throughout the store, a fresh juice bar, exquisite wines & cheeses, the highest quality seafood and meats counter, and a myriad of other options for any food connoisseur.

Another old favorite in this area is Mesa Produce – a fruits and vegetables vendor, which specializes in fresh local organic produce. The Farmers Markets are a great thing, but when you need something particular or a last minute fruit/veggies for a meal- this place will have what you need and at good prices! They also have a flower stand outside, which always has rare and beautiful flowers/bouquets.

One of the most well-know areas of the Mesa is Elings Park, Santa Barbara’s largest, most diverse recreational area and open space. Elings hosts many sports leagues and games throughout the year for all different ages. The park also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year with attendances into the thousands! Elings has beautiful hiking trails and open spaces for families (and dogs) to enjoy. There are many different activities here such as mountain biking, adult sports leagues, RC car racing, RC airplane flying, even Paragliding & Hang Gliding! For animal enthusiasts, Elings offers EPDOG- a yearly membership offering off-leash access for your dog on 230 acres of this monumental area; the largest off=leash dog park in the United States

The Mesa is also prized by families for its Washington school district- widely known as one of the best and most sought after elementary schools in all of Santa Barbara. Conveniently located on lighthouse road- only a few minutes drive from anywhere on the Mesa. As you can see, the Mesa boasts great activities, places, and overall quality of life; next post we will take a look into the current real estate market of this area.