Luxurious celebrity hideaway with Pacific Ocean views
Buyers won’t just find luxury estates here in Montecito. This secluded community in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains draws noteworthy individuals like Oprah Winfrey and Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, the opulent homes, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and charming village centers have made it a tight-knit community where many homeowners stay for years. “In addition to higher profile residents, generations of families have lived in Montecito since its development. It’s a place where you get privacy at home but can easily meet up for coffee or dinner with your friends and neighbors,” says Realtor Joe Parker with The Santa Barbara Group at Berkshire Hathaway. Parker was born and raised in Santa Barbara and has been selling real estate in the area since 2001. Parker also has a YouTube Channel for South Coast home buyers called “Montecito & Santa Barbara California.
Montecito is located near the coast and features the best of Southern California.
Aerial view along Channel Drive in Waterfront.
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Palatial properties in the Santa Ynez foothills
Montecito's luxury homes are known for their immense lot sizes, stunning interiors and well-manicured grounds fit with pools, tennis courts and gardens. “Homes here have long driveways and lots of privacy, so you’re not usually noticing your neighbor,” says Parker. The community's oldest and highest-profile homes are in the coveted Golden Quadrangle. Most dwellings feature expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and distant mountains of the Channel Islands. Many homes here have stucco walls, arched entryways and terracotta roof tiles of the Spanish Revivalist style. However, there are also contemporary mansions, Tudor Revival-style estates and Mediterranean-style villas. Homes here cost between $8 million and $40 million, usually depending on the size of the house, and most homes within the Golden Quadrangle cost over $10 million.
A variety of new and traditional homes can be found in Waterfront.
Home with an ocean view home sits in the Waterfront neighborhood.
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Highly rated public schools and world-renowned private schools
Families moving to Montecito have access to excellent public and private schools. Montecito Union Elementary and Cold Spring Elementary School are rated A-plus on Niche. There are no middle or high schools in Montecito, so students must either enroll in the Santa Barbara Unified School District or attend private schools. The Laguna Blanca School is a world-class day school for those seeking private school options, which scored an A-plus on Niche. The school serves kindergarten through 12th grade and provides top-of-the-line experiential learning programs, including STEM, LEGO and visual/performing arts.
A sprawling view of the Santa Barbara Junior High School campus in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Senior High School features many athletic opportunities.
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Sandy beaches, hiking trails and horseback riding in San Ysidro Canyon
The town rests against the stunning backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains, where there are numerous hot springs, hiking trails and scenic viewpoints. The San Ysidro Canyon is also a popular hiking location, with about 9 miles of trails that are also great for horseback riding and mountain biking. Beloved beaches like Butterfly Beach and Hammonds Beach are just minutes away. Families will enjoy visiting Manning Park, which has a variety of picnic areas, athletic fields, walking trails and a playground. For indoor recreation, residents may have a home gym, but they can also attend fitness classes and other activities at the Montecito Family YMCA or Montecito Fitness.
Enjoy at swim at Santa Barbara Beach in Waterfront.
Walk down the boardwalk at Santa Barbara Beach in Waterfront.
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Charming small businesses and upscale dining options
Quiet luxury is what most will find in Montecito's Upper and Lower Villages. Upper Village, located on San Ysidro Lane, has boutiques, modest grocery stores like Montecito Village Grocery, coffee shops like Montecito Coffee Shop and locally loved restaurants like Via Vai. Montecito’s Lower Village on Coast Village Road has more extensive commercial offerings. There are restaurants like Lucky’s Steakhouse and shops at Montecito Country Mart. “The Lower Village also has a farmers market where you’ll often find your neighbors. A lot of locals will get produce at the market and then grab a coffee or a bite to eat down the road,” says Parker.
Meet a friend for lunch at Montesano Deli and Market in Montecito.
Resident takes a relaxing stroll along Coast Village Road in Montecito.
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A 90-minute drive from Los Angeles
This luxury community is located right off the Pacific Coast Highway. With that major thoroughfare easily accessible, residents can enter Santa Barbara and surrounding communities in minutes. There's also public transportation in the form of buses and bike shares. Montecito is just 5 miles from downtown Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is the closest medical treatment center for medical necessities. Many residents in Montecito work in Los Angeles's film, music and television industries, so quick access to LA is necessary. Residents are about 90 miles from LA and the Los Angeles Airport. Easy access to the surrounding area always makes living in Montecito’s luxury convenient.
Jamie Faletti is a third-generation Santa Barbaran whose family immigrated to the area over a century ago. He has a lifelong love of Santa Barbara and a deep respect for its unique community.
Jamie has a lengthy musical background in the Santa Barbara area and was the creative and driving force behind some of its most successful and revered guitar stores. He continues to play and support music in schools and through various non-profits in the community and nationwide.
Jamie’s passion for putting people in the right situation allows him to find the best fit for his clients' needs. By listening to and learning about his clients, Jamie can build a strategy to help them realize their dreams.
Jamie lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, two children, and their rescue cat and dogs.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
