City planners regard the upper Eastside as perhaps the most important factor in Santa Barbara's growth. More undeveloped space and a higher percentage of older one-family homes exist in the the upper Eastside than in other city neighborhoods. The upper Eastside has been identified as a bailiwick of the wealthy elite since 1895.

Santa Barbara's famous community playhouse, the Lobero Theater, located in Upper East, was built in 1924 and was known as the cultural center years ahead of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Prices range from $1,000,000 to $9,000,000