Make Myself at Home: Resort Living in Shoreline Condo

Address: 50 Barranca Avenue, #8

Status: On the market

Price: $875,000

I’m sure I’ve told you about my dog Scout and our daily beach walks. We’re not particular. As long as we can hear the waves and walk on the sand, we’ll visit whichever coastal spot is closest. Each beach has its own appeal. From Haskell’s to Hendry’s to Hammonds, you’ll find us sunrise, sunset, or anytime in between that we can squeeze in a few minutes or more to catch some fresh air and a few rays.

But the spot that we seem to visit most often is Leadbetter Beach. Whether we stroll down the hill from Shoreline Park, or start at the harbor and switch onto the sand, that long curve from the breakwater to the point seems to be our most frequent strolling locale.

When I saw an open house listed for a condominium on Barranca Avenue, I knew the address was near Cliff Drive and Santa Barbara City College. But it wasn’t until I pulled up to the gated entrance that I realized that my destination was familiar. This big white beachfront complex is part of the background scenery on many of our Leadbetter Beach walks. It is a recognizable landmark called the Shoreline Condominiums.

From the sand, it’s the white three-story complex at the base of the Shoreline Drive hill. Its balconies stretch horizontally along the horizon, with palm trees as the only obstacle between its windows and the beach. Approaching the address from Barranca Drive, however, I was surprised at what a quaint neighborhood these buildings are nestled in. I expected more of a raucous college vibe, an Isla Vista-on-the-Mesa atmosphere. But even though City College is back in session, the entrance to the complex sits demurely on a shaded, quiet street.

I parked and oriented myself to the numbered buildings on the posted map. I saw that building 50 was to my right, and past the pool. As I walked around the corner, though, I wasn’t ready for the resort-style pool that sparkled in the sun, greeting me on my route. It took all of my willpower to keep walking, rather than give up on my assigned reason for visiting to take a dip instead.

Walking along the second-floor breezeway, I was again struck with the resort-like feel of my surroundings. When I stepped through the open door to unit #8, that feeling was even more magnified when I saw the bright, elegant retreat before me. A huge living room with hardwood floors, recessed lighting, and a fireplace lead to French doors that open onto a balcony patio. As I took a good look around me, I realized that I had been so drawn in that I had walked right past the entrance to the kitchen. It is cozy but well-appointed, with plenty of counter space, custom fixtures, upgraded appliances, and sleek cabinetry. A pass-through from the kitchen to the dining room opens the space up even more, adding a window, albeit an interior one, to the kitchen.

Through a hallway with a laundry nook and storage space lie two good-sized bedrooms with a bathroom in between. Down the hall, the master bedroom is spacious, with an ensuite bath and a separate reading or dressing nook. With big windows on two of its walls, this room is bathed in natural light. The windows have custom treatments and moldings, and as I step closer to get a better look, I realize that even though we’re close to the neighbors, every window has an expansive view. In fact, all three bedrooms have views of the ocean.

This condo is in immaculate condition. No wonder it feels like a resort. All of the carpet and paint is brand-new and beautifully finished in elegant, neutral colors. But as perfect as it is, it still feels like a home. Whether a family is to fill all three bedrooms, or a couple wants a place near the beach to retire, this gracious condominium will conform to their needs.

Before heading back to my car, I walked around the buildings, still not quite believing that this development could possibly be as quiet as it seemed. I walked past a woman who asked if I was lost, and as we chatted a bit, she confirmed that the complex truly is this quiet almost all the time. She said that the loudest noise she usually hears is the waves crashing on the beach at night. As one who loves that sound, whether at Leadbetter or one of my other usual haunts, that sounds just about perfect to me. With that image in mind, I hurried to my car so that Scout and I could get in a quick beach walk before sunset.

50 Barranca Avenue, #8, is currently for sale in Santa Barbara, listed by Joyce Enright of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. Reach Joyce at (805) 570-1360 or joycee@bhhscal.com.