Welcome to Montecito
A home fit for royalty, the multimillion-dollar estates and majestic natural scenery of Montecito has called to the affluent and esteemed for decades.
Some of the most awe-inspiring stretches of beach are found in the opulent community of Montecito, a star-studded enclave of extraordinary wealth and beauty. Sheltered by the magnificent Santa Ynez Mountains, Montecito residents live charming lives where midday wine tastings, yachting trips, and celebrity sightings are all part of the norm.
Montecito has been drawing in the A-listers for nearly a century, beginning when Charlie Chaplin opened the landmark Montecito Inn in 1928. Since then, Montecito has blossomed, gaining an international reputation for its splendor. Global icons who’ve taken residence at Montecito throughout the years include everyone from Oprah, Ariana Grande, and Brad Pitt, to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
As expected, the real estate market in Montecito is saturated in sublime estates dripping with glamor and regality. These jaw-dropping estates — which range in a variety of historical, contemporary, and custom architectural styles — are primed for high-end living with amenities like inground spas, infinity pools, detached guest houses, in-home theaters, gyms, and bars.
What to Love
- Secured, gated entrances and guarded communities for the ultimate privacy
- Large mansions and plentiful acreages for secluded living
- Living life side-by-side with top movie stars and notable celebs
- Upscale community events like Cars and Coffee
Local Lifestyle
Droves of the elite have been pulled to the town of Montecito by its promises of healthful living and a never-ending bevy of breathtaking vistas. With its plenitude of natural hot springs, it’s a community steeped in lavish spa services. Opportunities for hiking and getting outdoors abound, and the area more than exceeds expectations when it comes to dining and shopping options.
Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
The vibrant central pulse of Montecito is its commercial corridor along Coast Village Road, which offers a high-end version of a small-town square. Along this vibrant path, the iconic Montecito Inn stands out for its boutique style and world-class luxury. For the shoppers, there’s an array of high-end fashion boutiques and specialty stores, while caffeine lovers will want to check out the multitude of cozy coffee shops and cafes.
The theme of effortless sophistication is continued in the community's collection of several award-winning restaurants, including pillars of culinary excellence like Lucky’s Steakhouse. Old Hollywood Glamor comes to life at Lucky’s, where the USDA-aged prime beef comes in cuts costing over 100 dollars and the sumptuousness of the dessert menu means diners always make room for more.
Sakana Sushi Bar & Japanese might be small, but that doesn’t mean it’s loved any less by enthusiastic gastronomes. Offering a mixture of both traditional and fusion dishes, Sakana is best-known for its signature press box rolls. Rustic-chic elegance is personified at Stone House, a New American restaurant nestled inside the 5-star San Ysidro Ranch. A gracious, ocean-view terrace invites diners out into a nature-steeped experience set under twinkling, romantic lights, while the indoor, hearth-centered dining room proves to be an intimate setting for spectacular meals.
Things to Do
Getting outside might be the favorite pastime of Montecito locals, due in part to the large expanses of lush natural wonder. Butterfly Beach boasts a gorgeous, unspoiled shoreline that has a diverse selection of activities. A distinctive east-west orientation allows for taking in both sunrise and sunsets over the ocean, and the epic waves make great fodder for surfing adventures.
Miramar Beach is also popular among both locals and visitors and is backdropped by the 5-star resort of the same name. Other outdoor excursions include taking a trek up the Cold Spring Hiking Trail, a heavily shaded path that takes hikers up to the scenic Montecito Peak.
Schools
Montecito is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
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Westmont College, highly rated private, Christian liberal arts university offering more than 30 degree options
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Cate School, 9-12, the #1 ranked best private boarding high school in California