223 Houses For Rent in Ballard, CA

Encounter Beautiful Houses for Rent in Ballard, California

Ballard is a lovely community located in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's in Santa Barbara County and is seven minutes from the city of Solvang. Homes for rent allow families to taste contemporary cuisine at the Ballard Inn Restaurant, explore the city of Solvang to the south or check out Ballard School, one of the most notable buildings in the community.

Facts for Renters

• The town was founded in 1881 and was the first area to be settled in the Saint Ynez Valley.
• Before the town was founded, New Yorker George Lewis made a homestead out of 800 acres of land. The towns of Ballard and Los Olivos now comprise that land. Often Lewis was away doing business in nearby Mexico. He had good friend William Ballard watch over his land while he was away. Ballard was the superintendent of the Concord stagecoach line that began in San Francisco and ended in Yuma, Arizona. 
• Before Ballard came to town, the community didn't have a stagecoach stop. So, he decided to create one on the property he owned between Los Olivos and Ballard.
• He created an adobe structure that he aptly named Ballard's Station. Today, the building still stands thanks to its continual restoration. It's now a private home.
• Ballard became suddenly ill, causing for Lewis's return. Lewis named the town in memory of his friend. Initially, the town flourished due to having the only general stores and blacksmith shop in all of the Valley.
• The town later erected a schoolhouse which was also used for social gatherings. Today, it's still used as a elementary school.

Resources for Renters

• Find out about the town's local history and the history of other towns by visiting the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum website.
• Learn more about the Ballard School and what kind of events were hosted there by visiting the Ballard School site.
• Read about local news and events using the Santa Ynez Valley News site.