THE LIFESTYLE
4477 SHADOW HILLS BLVD. S-APT B
Presented by Deborah Samuel
WHAT’S INSIDE
The Story of Santa Barbara
Top 10 Things We’ll Miss
Our New Adventure
Things To Do Around Santa Barbara


The Story of Santa Barbara
Top 10 Things We’ll Miss
Our New Adventure
Things To Do Around Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a coastal city situated between the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara’s climate is often described as Mediterranean, and the city has been dubbed “The American Riviera”.
The history of Santa Barbara runs deep, through many cultures, across the Santa Barbara Channel, and throughout the city as it stands today. From the basketry and boatbuilding techniques of the Chumash Indians, to the Spanish Colonial influence that can be seen around every corner, Santa Barbara’s history is vast and truly unique. Spanish settlers gave the city its distinct architectural style in the form of Old Mission Santa Barbara and what is now the County Courthouse — a
style that was carried forward by local visionaries after a massive earthquake destroyed much of the area’s infrastructure in 1925.
Located on a pristine stretch of California’s central coastline, Santa Barbara brings together the Golden State’s Spanish influence, laid-back vibe, and upscale sensibility in a way very few places can.
Santa Barbara is known not only for its broad, sandy beaches, but its exhilarating outdoor adventures, fascinating arts and culture, and an incredible variety of local food and wine, making it a very popular tourist destination today.
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,331 Sq. Ft.
This Barry Berkus-designed luxury 55+ community must be seen in the highly desired Shadow Hills gated paradise. This coveted ground-level, south-facing orientation captures magnificent ocean and island vistas. Updates 2015 windows, 2016 HVAC & flooring,
recent paint, open floor plan 2331 sq ft. Three bedrooms and two 1/2 bathrooms. Relax on two outdoor terraces, perfect for coffee & entertaining. Incredible storage spaces, builtin shelves, a large laundry room, two fireplaces, and two underground parking spaces.
Why live here? Excellent Shadow Hills living amenities include a private gate, heated pool, tennis court, gym, clubhouse, play area, insurance, earthquake, trash, property management, com area, and exterior maintenance. You can just come home and relax. This is a perfect lock-and-leave condo for easy living.
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On our first Thanksgiving at Shadow Hills, we sighted a new boulder, which, after closer observation, turned out to be a bobcat staring at a hole where a gopher was living. It was exciting for us after living in downtown Santa Barbara, where we had a view of cement or the plants on our balcony.
We will miss the lovely pool as you can enjoy the songs of various birds and see the busy antics of the many woodpeckers inhabiting the lovely palm trees on three sides of the pool deck.
Just two days before we moved from Shadow Hills, a juvenile large fluffy screech owl hung out for about 25 minutes. A day before that, a vulture perched on the balcony ledge off of the primary bedroom, which was an impressive first-time event.
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The yearly first sighting of a mom-and-pop quail leading their chicks on tiny toothpick legs—a new clutch of babies (2-13) to feed on the scattered leftover seed from the bird feeder above.
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Another special memory is the fun of finding coyotes strolling in the middle of the asphalt street on North & South Shadow Hills Blvd. They are very casual, cool coyotes, but you better keep your dogs on a leash.
We loved the beautifully sculpted “dead tree” as it was the perfect perch for a variety of birds; Cooper hawks often perch there to dry their wings after a rain shower and to observe their prey.
Another wonderful thing we will miss is the orioles that arrive seasonally in March to produce two clutches of chartreuse yellow females and bright orange & black males. It was so fun to watch them progress. The orioles return to our community yearly, where they are hatched. They leave for winter in Mexico in September yearly.
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If you enjoy owls or frogs, as we did, you can always hear them serenading at night or if you take a dusk stroll about the community.
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The San Marcos Trail Head is about a 5-minute walk from the entrance gate to the south. It is a lovely hike of about 2.5 miles to Tuckers Grove Park.
Another favorite daily walk for Shadow Hills residents is down Via Chapparell to Cathedral Oaks or across the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” which leads to San Marcos Preserve. It is very popular for a mild, rolling hills walk with great ocean views and is beloved by dogs and walkers.
Granite countertops updated appliances in 2016, under counter lighting, California shutters, and a large laundry room off the kitchen with a washer/dryer and sink.
2 private covered nations seamlessly blend outdoor and indoor living. Unobstructed views from both patio spaces.
A lavish transformation with a redesigned layout, premium flooring, an expanded walk-in closet, and a spa-like ensuite bathroom.
HOA ensures that every detail of the landscaping is meticulously taken care of, creating a beautifully maintained environment for residents to enjoy.
WIFI-controlled temperature from the convenience of your phone while away.
There is a Heated Pool, two Tennis Courts, a Gym, a recreational area in the clubhouse for meetings and group social activities, and easy access to local trails and parks.
What were you most grateful for in the “Lifestyle Experience” of living in the Shadow Hills Community?
During COVID-19 isolation, about half of the residents suddenly hit the pool regularly. We had 45-minute time slots that were reserved, and most days, all of the times were filled. Personally, I (Nina) swam a mile every day that year. Once the schedule was aborted and the isolation was no longer required, the pool was pretty much empty all day. The reserved time slot committed me to swimming, and others said the same. We all got lazy…
What is something that you will look back on and be grateful for about this home?
Another grateful memory is the huge pepper tree that flows in the breeze or bends in a strong wind. It is right outside the primary bedroom window. The several-acre pasture studded with Oak trees provides an expansive oasis of nature outside this condo—a beautiful “borrowed vista.”
Why are you leaving this place?
We have loved living here for many years and enjoyed the community and all the amenities. After careful consideration and planning for our future, we decided it was time to downsize and move to a beautiful local senior community that offered more on-campus activities, dining services, and social opportunities. This condo was the perfect place for us for many years. It has been a gradual step-down process from our larger home here in Santa Barbara to a more manageable-sized condo and now onto a retirement apartment with no maintenance required. We are excited about the journey ahead, meeting new friends, and discussions at dinner about birdwatching.
Santa Barbara is widely known for its beautiful beaches and pristine coastline. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, water activities, scenic views, or a vibrant atmosphere, Santa Barbara has a beach that suits your preferences.
Whether you’re into high-end fashion or locally-made goods, Santa Barbara is one of the best shopping destinations in California. Stroll through State Street and Paseo Nuevo to discover just how many shops, boutiques, and eclectic antique stores there are within these open-air malls.
The Santa Barbara Bowl is a 4562-seat outdoor amphitheater with panoramic ocean views that hosts world-class concerts and events. The Bowl boasts a stacked lineup of concerts from well-known artists every year.
Converted warehouses and buildings decorated with graffiti murals and contemporary art pieces set the tone for this hopping section of town. The Funk Zone is a hub for arts, dining, wine, spirits, craft breweries, hotels, gorgeous scenery, and unique culture.
Embark on a wine-tasting adventure in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley. Home to renowned wineries offering exquisite wines.
With its grand bell towers, lush gardens and views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean, the Mission is one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks. Take a tour of the Mission then have a picnic at the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden across the street.
Explore California’s unique natural landscape at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a 78-acre living museum designed entirely with California-native plants.
These are just a few of the many wonderful experiences to enjoy in and around Santa Barbara, offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and culinary delights for everyone.
With unbeatable views, delicious dining and dozens of exciting activities, the Santa Barbara Harbor is the perfect place to spend the day on the water. Several of the harbor’s businesses offer boat charters, cruises, equipment rentals and more.
With over 300 days of sunshine every year, Santa Barbara’s climate is a huge draw for those looking for some outdoor adventure. Go hiking, biking along the beaches, golfing, kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing and more!
Deborah
marketing team that helps elevate the positioning of her listings to a national market. When not selling homes, Deborah can be found at the Santa Barbara Harbor on her 1973 Grand Banks.