Funk Zone Real Estate
The Funk Zone is an area of Santa Barbara undergoing a revival, evident in its many new or recently upgraded wineries, artist studios, surf shops, retailers, hotels and some residential development. It is a very mixed-use neighborhood bordered by State Street, Stearns Wharf, East Beach and the 101 freeway. The area was formerly an industrial and manufacturing area, in stark contract to Santa Barbara’s typical downtown use and architectural style.
The Funk Zone is close to lower State Street attractions, the city’s Amtrak station, Stearns Wharf, and Cabrillo Boulevard where popular hotels line the street. Recently, the Funk Zone has received renewed interest from locals and wine lovers due to what is now known as the Urban Wine Trail. This trail moves through the many wine tasting rooms within and outside of the Funk Zone borders, and includes Santa Barbara Winery, Oreana Winery, Municipal Winemakers, Whitcraft Winery, Pali Wine and Kunin Wines.
Other popular places to visit include Metropulos Fine Foods, Channel Islands Surfboards, Union Ale, L’s Kitchen, Santa Barbara Running, Hazards Cyclesport, and Red’s Wine Bar & Tapas. The area also houses a professional athlete training facility, Peak Performance Project (P3), and a few gyms popular with locals.
Real Estate in The Funk Zone consists of a large mixed-use, spanish style condo project on the corner of Yanonali and Santa Barbara Street, a few isolated single-family homes, and a handful of new mixed-use developments with a residential component including work-live lofts at the corner of Yanonali and Gray Avenue. Additionally, there are a few parcels currently available that may one day become a mixed commercial and residential development. Buyers considering this area should know that supply is limited and interest in the area for both residential and commercial buyers and investors continues to grow.