The Mesa neighborhood in Santa Barbara is marketed as an idyllic vacation spot, but locals have felt its charm diminish due to the influx of short-term rentals. Known for its close-knit community since the post-World War II housing boom, residents now contend with a significant number of travelers disrupting the area's peace. Recent years have prompted city officials to implement stricter penalties against illegal rentals, yet residents argue these measures are insufficient. Many are advocating for stricter regulations, including capping the number of short-term rentals in the area to restore community tranquility.
Hosts market the residential area, which is perched above Arroyo Burro Beach County Park and located about 2 miles northwest of bustling State Street, as an idyllic place where people can come and taste the good life for a week or blow off steam for a night.
For the locals, it's a place that's been known and revered for its close-knit neighbors since its rise during the post-World War II housing boom.
While some Airbnb postings highlight the fact that the Mesa is a 'quiet neighborhood,' the reality for full-time residents is that it has become quite the opposite.
Mesa residents, along with a host of their Santa Barbara neighbors, are insisting that the city needs to do more to get rid of short-term rentals in certain neighborhoods.
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