Ballard is a unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California.

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined that community as a census-designated place (CDP).

[4] Ballard is accessible by taking Alamo Pintado Road south from Los Olivos, which is located on California State Route 154, or by taking Alamo Pintado north from Solvang, which is located on State Route 246.

From Alamo Pintado, Baseline Avenue is used to enter the main part of town.

[4] Some of the town's most important businesses and community locations include the Ballard Inn bed & breakfast, the Bob's Well Bread bakery, the Loper Chapel used mainly for funeral services, and the Oak Hill Cemetery.

"[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), 99.98% of it land, and 0.02% of it water.

[10] In 1882 it was believed that Ballard would grow into the central metropolis of Santa Barbara County.

There were 188 housing units at an average density of 159.3 per square mile (61.5/km2), of which 134 (81.2%) were owner-occupied, and 31 (18.8%) were occupied by renters.