Make Myself at Home: Spacious Home in Halloween ’Hood

Address: 3762 Lincolnwood Drive

Status: On the market

Price: $1,625,000

Halloween is my favorite holiday. From the cheesecloth mummy costume that my mom wrapped me into when I was 7 to the dress I made out of playing cards a few years back, Halloween has always been a fun, feisty day of magical masquerade and mystery. In the evenings, Halloween can take on a different tenor, depending on your age and inclination — and even your neighborhood.

As I drove down Lincolnwood Drive on a recent sunny summer afternoon, I had a distinct sense of déjà vu, that “I’ve been here before but under different circumstances” feeling. Then it hit me: This is one of those awesome neighborhoods that goes all out on Halloween. Yes, I had been there before but surrounded by jack-o’-lanterns, decorated haunted houses, and ghosts and witches giving and receiving candy amid squeals, screeches, and candy-fueled mayhem. My friend Mary grew up on Lincolnwood, and I joined her family one All Hallows’ Eve not so long ago as they dressed up and divvied up treats to pass out to the seemingly thousands of kids who swarmed the street.

In addition to the frightfully fun festivities in October, there are plenty of things to laud about Lincolnwood Drive all year ’round. It’s in the award-winning Hope School District, where families often move before their toddlers hit kindergarten so that they can attend Monte Vista School. Near La Cumbre Plaza, Lincolnwood is also the perfect midtown compromise between downtown Santa Barbara and the good land of Goleta, close to all that San Roque and upper State Street have to offer. With relatively recent additions such as Whole Foods Market and Lure Fish House as well as classics like Chuck’s of Hawaii and Sears right down the street, there are shopping and dining hot spots aplenty.    

There are other less obvious perks, as well. The neighborhood has its own water district in the Lincolnwood Mutual Water Company. This means less regulation and lower water rates for those lucky enough to reside here. It’s an enclave of all custom homes enjoying a warmer microclimate than our foggier coastal areas.

My destination, 3762 Lincolnwood, is a large house set back from the broad street in an idyllic setting. It feels sort of like The Brady Bunch meets Dallas, with a neighborly yet stately feel. Walking up to the bright red front door, I noticed that in addition to huge windows, the façade of the house sports a wide balcony above the garage, promising plenty of outdoor living space.

Stepping inside, I see the living room is enhanced by majestically soaring ceilings sloping down to meet eight-foot-tall front windows. The dining room is nestled into one side of this great room setup, which is open to a huge family room and kitchen combo on the other side of a central fireplace that serves the entire downstairs. This is definitely the entertaining floor, flowing from one area into the next, with bright walls, light wood floors, white kitchen countertops, and a caramel-colored, granite-topped island in the kitchen, combining to make the entire space feel spacious and airy.

The only downside to the kitchen is that once I entered, I barely noticed it because I was drawn outside to the backyard. It’s a spectacular oasis of terraced levels of lush plants. Staircases define and outline the various areas, showcasing a variety of succulents, native plants, bushes, and trees. It’s manicured but still looks like an inviting place to wander and play rather than just to admire from afar. In addition to a large patio dining area with a big stone fire pit, there’s a huge grassy lawn and side area that could accommodate a playhouse, hammock, or whatever other outdoor entertainment ideas one desires.

Around the side of the house is a large hot tub on another patio, complete with an outdoor shower perfect for rinsing off after the beach or gardening. There’s also a bonus room off this patio, connected to the three-car garage, perfect for a home office or gym or kids’ game room. The whole yard is framed by towering green shrubs offering a wall of soft green privacy. It’s big and inviting, and it’s easy to imagine spending entire weekends in, whether working in the garden or lazing in its splendor.

The upstairs contains all four bedrooms off of one convenient central hallway. The master boasts the huge balcony patio I had spied earlier, plus a beautiful bathroom, walk-in closet, and staircase down to the backyard. The other bedrooms have good storage space, including built-ins in their closets, as well. As I started back downstairs, the dramatic curving stairway gave me an opportunity to gaze back over the great living space below. This house will make its lucky new owners a tranquil, comfortable place to call home and make their own, with plenty of time to get unpacked and settled in, so that they can start planning their Halloween festivities.

3762 Lincolnwood Drive is currently for sale in Santa Barbara, offered by Dianne and Brianna Johnson of Village Properties Realtors. Reach Dianne at (805) 455-6570 or Brianna at (805) 450-6078, email johnson@villagesite.com, or visit 3762LincolnwoodDrive.com.