Mother's Day in Montecito

Montecito Country Mart are hosting a pop-up show demonstrating how to create this beautiful vertical succulent circle [May 13th, Saturday 1:30] 

Wondering what to do for Mother's Day in Montecito this year? Look no further, I have some suggestions that will make your mom well up with tears with gratitude. Montecito has some incredible experiences to offer for you and your mummy dearest to show how much she means to you. 

Montecito Country Mart: Succulent Circle Demo

May 13th, Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm [demo at 1:30pm]

Montecito Country Mart, a fabulous local shopping center on Coast Village Road in Montecito, is hosting the pop-up shop Dalla Vita. Dalla Vita is an online garden and home shop that plants a tree for each item purchased. This mother's day they'll be doing a demonstration on how to create their beautiful vertical succulent circles at 1:30pm. Alternately you can leisurely peruse their pop-up shop from 11:00am-5:00pm. 

Dalla Vita Landscape Designers create stunning vertical wall gardens that are drought resistant providing a lush look in your home. 

Lotusland: Mother's Day Tour & Tea

May 13th, Saturday 1:30pm - 4:00pm

Another idea, for that special someone in your life, is a Mother's Day Tour & Tea of Ganna Walska's Lotusland. Lotusland is a non-profit botanical garden located in Montecito. The (15 ha / 37 acres) garden is the historic estate of Madame Ganna Walska. Named one of the 10 best gardens in the world, home to over 3000 plants from the world over and the horticultural passion of an extraordinary woman. 

The Saturday before Mother's Day, Lotusland offers one of their most popular events, a tour of the gardens whilst sipping on tea and refreshments from their pavilion patio. The tours are docent-led or members may explore the garden on their own. This is the perfect treat for someone special in your life!

Tickets are $80 for members, $90 for nonmembers and $40 for children ages 3–12. Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 805.969.9990. Click here for more information on Lotusland.

Ganna Walska Lotusland - Mother's Day Tour & Tea

Four Seasons The Biltmore: Mother's Day Brunch

May 14th, Sunday 9:00am - 12:00pm

I don't know by, but woman (including me), just love us a good brunch! Plus throw in the fresh breeze of the pacific coast and overlooking Butterfly Beach and you've got a golden ticket to satisfy your mother's heart desire. 

The Bella Vista Restaurant at the Four Seasons, The Biltmore will be having a special brunch menu in Montecito’s most beautiful al fresco setting. Partake in an abundant buffet, featuring traditional favorites as well as an extensive selection of seafood, salads, freshly made pastas and carvings.

Reservations are highly recommended by calling 805) 969-2261. $125 per adult, $65 per child (ages 5-12). Click here to view more.

Bella Vista Restaurant at the Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara  

Whatever you decide to do this Mother's Day, take a moment to express gratitude to those who have nurtured, loved or cared for you as Mother. If you're a mother, I understand how you give tirelessly, sacrificially and often neglect yourself, but this day is for you, so take it, embrace it and know you're appreciated for all you do (the things seen and unseen). You are the unsung heroines of our society and are shaping the next generation! 

Interested in living the Montecito Lifestyle?

Cinco de Mayo Santa Barbara

People travel far and wide to celebrate this fun filled festivity of Cinco de Mayo in the highly sought after travel destination of Santa Barbara and Montecito. Here's a few reasons why....

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Every May, Santa Barbara celebrates its Spanish heritage with the extraordinary Cinco de Mayo Festival at De La Guerra Plaza. This year’s festivities are here, and they will draw thousands of locals and visitors. With live music and delicious cuisine from an array of food vendors, this festival is the best place to be on the Fifth of May.

What's the history of Cinco de Mayo?

(pronounced: [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo]; Spanish for "May 5th", or literally, "Five of May") is a celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.

Where & When is Cinco de Mayo?

Located in downtown Santa Barbara, De La Guerra Plaza is a haven for Latino culture in Southern California. It also hosts the Old Days Spanish Fiesta every August—one of the region’s most popular annual events. On May 5th, the city will commemorate the Mexican defeat of the French in 1862 and celebrate the country’s heritage.

What's happening in Santa Barbara for Cinco de Mayo?

With such a strong Mexican culture throughout the city and state, a Cinco De Mayo celebration in Santa Barbara is as authentic as anyone will find in the United States. In the past, festival-goers have enjoyed everything from confetti-filled eggs to live Mexican music to delicious taquitos, tamales, and grilled corn on the cob.

The city of Santa Barbara even throws in a few extra fun for everyone attractions, like the rock climbing wall which has made appearances at festivals past. To take part in the fun this year, just head over to De La Guerra Plaza.

With musicians jamming in the plaza, and chicken and beef simmering on the grill, this year’s Santa Barbara Cinco De Mayo Festival promises to impress.

Don't miss out on all Santa Barbara has to offer in this fun filled festival.

For more information about Montecito and Santa Barbara lifestyle

D'Alfonso Spanish Architecture

Coveted Diana Lane

Santa Barbara has some of the most extraordinary architecture with it's quintessential Spanish Colonial Style with red rooftops and white walls. The seaside town has a consistent theme and design throughout, making it an exquisitely beautiful place to behold. But who do we have to thank for this significantly crafted architecture?  To name a few of the historical designers of their day, George Washington Smith, Reginald Johnson, the Moody Sisters and this week's featured listings Architect - Alex D'Alfanso. 

This talented master of home building, was known for his Spanish Colonial Revival style and built many of the homes and city landmarks in Santa Barbara including the Nogales Medical Building, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Guadalupe School, the El Prado Motel, the St. Francis Medical Convent, the first Sambo’s Restaurant, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Mausoleum at the Old Mission.  D’Alfonso began to build houses in 1920 and continued as a successful developer of both residential and commercial properties for almost 60 years, until he retired in 1978.

Spotlight Listing

1216 Diana Lane, Santa Barbara California

[ Open House : Sunday, April 30th 2:00-4:00 ]

This week's featured listing, 1216 Diana Lane in Santa Barbara California, represents the work of Alex D’Alfonso, one of the earliest and most important developers and builders in the City.  Be sure to drop in and see this fabulous listing on the coveted Diana Lane, this Sunday's Open House 2:00-4:00pm. 

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Lower Riviera Eastside

5 BED | 2 BTH | $1.475.000

Located on one of Santa Barbara's most coveted lanes, this property offers a D'Alfonso Spanish  built in the 1940's [For more info on Alex D'Alfonso Architecture click button below]. The home features a two-story easy floorplan with two bedrooms and shared bathroom upstairs (entry level) and three bedrooms and one bathroom downstairs. Many quiet living spaces upstairs and downstairs make this home versatile with the gain of extra square footage in a finished game room with lots of extra storage. Two car garage offers access directly into the kitchen for ease in unloading groceries.

Santa Barbara’s Lower Riviera Eastside is a very special place. Many of the people are long time residents and the community heartbeat of this special enclave is apparent when you walk the beautiful, blooming streets where the streets are named for the City’s forefathers De La Guerra, Cota, Carrillo, and Haley. Milpas Street is the main corridor most residents commute on, but the urban trails in and around this neighborhood are unmatched in ease of walk with short arrival times to most anything downtown Santa Barbara. Restaurants, shops, coffee shops, Farmer's Markets, bars, specialty shops and fun are all within about a mile of this special neighborhood.
 

This sophisticated Spanish home finishes with a relaxing and comfortable view deck where you can sit back, take in the Riviera and twinkling City light views and sip your favorite beverage. Possible historic activity in this authentic neighborhood.
Welcome home!

Interested in living the Montecito Lifestyle?

Iconic Montecito: Casa del Herrero

Montecito's iconic George Washington Smith estate

Hidden Secret

This off-the-beaten-path experience is truly a hidden gem and one of Montecito's best kept secrets. Casa del Herrero is a historic estate designed and constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture.

Spanish Colonial Architecture with quintessential GWS fountains

Completed in 1925, the home (designed by architect George Washington Smith) is noted as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in America. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009.

The fountains at Casa del Herrero are undergoing restoration to it's former glory. 

The home and gardens are open for public viewing by ticketed reservation only.  Most of the original furniture from 1925 is still in the home, so you can actually feel what it would have been like to live their.

Stunning Spanish tiles and foutains with a high level of attention to detail.

The Steedman Estate is one of the best preserved, historically significant, and intact examples of the ‘heyday’ of Montecito estates in the 1920s. The creation of the property reflects a remarkable synthesis of culture, artistic expression, natural environment, and historical antecedents. 

The estate grounds are meticulously maintained showcasing this architecturally signficant home

Public Tours: Mid-January – mid-December, Wednesdays & Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Group tours available other days. Reservations required for ALL tours. Call to arrange a time: 805-565-5653, or email tours@casadelherrero.com. Virtual tours at www.casadelherrero.com.

Content & Images: Brianne Limani & Casa del Herrero

1387 East Valley Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Get Directions

For more information on George Washington Smith homes in Montecito and Santa Barbara contact Susan Pate.

 

How can you instantly make your home environment healthier?

uHoo quietly monitors air quality within a home. | Source: Uhoo air site

Raising the Oxygen Bar

New technology is making it easier than ever to improve the air quality in your house. From reducing allergens to eliminating toxins, find out which new devices are changing the game in our company magazine Compass Quarterly.

In the past few years, we’ve undergone a health awakening that has extended beyond tracking our steps, bedtimes, and sinful bites to each inhale we take under our own roofs. Enter the new uHoo indoor air toxin sensor. The sleek hourglass-shaped gadget, about the size of a soda can, busily monitors an unprecedented number of air contaminants.

“UHoo has eight dedicated sensors — the most on the market,” says Dustin Jefferson Onghanseng, who came up with the idea for the tool with Brian Lin during a 24-hour hackathon. Users can keep tabs on temperature, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and humidity — plus carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and air pressure to boot.

Why the need for so much information? Well, we spend 90% of our time inside, and that trapped, recirculating air is definitely dicey. In fact, it might even be more polluted than the toxic brew you inhale while walking outside in some of the world’s smoggiest cities. Study after study in recent years has shown that breathing unhealthy air can exacerbate allergies and asthma, cloud concentration, disrupt sleep, and even trigger illness.

Muse Residences, in Sunny Isles, Florida, was developed in partnership with wellness firm Delos. | Source: Delos press release

Delos, a wellness real estate and technology firm, is behind the Well Building Standard. The company paired with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to create a specialized lab devoted to studying how the makeup of the air inside our homes (along with light, sound, and temperature) boosts or busts our mood, health, and productivity. With those findings in mind, Delos also designed health-minded amenity packages in Massachusetts’ new mid-rise Fuse Cambridge apartment building. Among the offerings are primo air purifiers that wipe out everything from pollen to pet dander to neighbors’ cooking aromas.

Those who buy the multi-million dollar condos in Zaha Hadid’s New York City work-in-progress, 520 West 28th Street, will enjoy indoor air that’s been filtered a whopping four times. And luxury developers known for adding a LEED-certified sheen to old homes, like Troon Pacific Custom Residences in San Francisco, are considering their potential buyers’ health as well as the carbon footprint by installing state-of-the-art ventilation systems and formaldehyde-free cabinetry. Starting this year, builders can even find drywall that absorbs airborne chemicals.

Developers like Troon Pacific Custom Residences are seeking greener materials and infrastructure for new projects. | Source: Troon residential site

Air purifiers themselves have undergone a revolution in response to this clean-air craze. And some of the newest models are impressively innovative. Take the Molekule. Instead of relying on a conventional HEPA filter to trap chemicals, this contraption breaks them down at the molecular level into water and carbon dioxide. The creator, a chemical engineering professor, spent 20 years perfecting the seemingly space-age product.

Dyson’s Pure Hot+Cool Link not only heats and cools; it cleanses the air around it. | Source: Dyson site

Even the household giant Dyson has jumped on the breathe-better bandwagon. Its Pure Hot+Cool Link is a fan/space heater combo that claims to remove 99.97% of allergens and pollutants using a 360-degree glass HEPA filter. Put the device on “auto mode,” and it will constantly respond and adjust to your home’s temperature and air quality. Link it to your smartphone to track pollutant levels in real-time as well as study trends over the course of a day or week.

BreezoMeter reports neighborhoods’ air pollution on a block-by-block basis. | Product design by: Ilya Tsuprun

Dyson uses BreezoMeter to relay this information — which happens to be the same tool that real estate agents have started co-opting to provide potential buyers with the air pollution levels of specific neighborhoods or blocks.

So, sure you could get a temperature-regulating, sleep-tracking mattress or a mood-enhancing lamp to feel healthier inside your house. But to take the most holistic approach to wellness at home, you’d be wise to improve on — or invest in — that invisible element we can’t live without.

Contact me for a FREE print copy of Compass Quarterly Magazine

Santa "Barbareño"

Image: Barbareño restaurant - bringing out the traditions, history and flavors of the Central California Coast. 

New Head Chef 

A native Californian, Chef Justin Snyder has returned to his roots by accepting the role of head chef at Barbareño, 205 West Canon Perdido Street.  At the age of 28, Justin has a wide breadth of experience working for some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, such as Michael Voltaggio, Hideaki Sato, and Bruno Chemel.  Having honed his craft through work in places such as Hong Kong, Paris, and Hawaii, Justin is inspired to combine flavors from various ethnic cuisines with the freshest ingredients that Santa Barbara has to offer, all interpreted though the lens of a Michelin-trained chef. 

Not afraid to push the limits, Justin is able to seamlessly marry modern cooking techniques with age-old methods to create dishes that are at once familiar, but at the same time completely novel and delicious.  At Barbareño, Justin seeks to further the restaurant’s mission of exploring the regional flavors of the Santa Barbara area, delving further into the culinary history, traditions, and ingredients of California’s Central Coast.  By using his extensive training, Justin hopes to bring a new level of creativity and refinement to the restaurant’s menu. - The Restaurant Guy. 

Want to live the Montecito Lifestyle?

The Miracle of Adoption

Image :: Naimish - Adoption is a Gift

There are no unwanted Children, just unfound families.

– National Adoption Centre, USA

Adoption is something very dear to my heart. When our newborns entered our lives through adoption at the ages of 40 and 41, John and I were already well established in our careers. The children brought incredible inspiration and joy that only added a greater purpose to our work lives. I can’t believe they’re already grown up and looking at which colleges to attend. It's been a bit of a blur at times and in a short 16 years, a blink in time. We’re one big happy extended family through the miracle of adoption.

Matthew and Taylor, our beautiful children when they were younger. 

Spotlight :: Non Profit

Because of my incredible experience, I want to highlight this week an organization that I support and believe are making a huge difference in our Santa Barbara community in helping children and families in need, called Casa Pacifica. 

The non profit meet kids and families at the most challenging times of their lives and helps them overcome some of life’s most difficult circumstances – abuse and neglect, complex emotional and behavioral issues, and family crises.  They restore hope, help children find joy in daily living, and improve families’ chances at making a better life for themselves and at finding a place in their community where they can be successful.  Casa Pacifica is committed to children unconditionally over time and through all of life’s ups and downs.

Headquartered on a rural 24-acre campus five miles from the Pacific Ocean, Casa Pacifica serves abused and neglected children and adolescents, and those with severe emotional, social, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Our primary service area includes: San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Kern County (Bakersfield), San Luis Obispo County (SLO), Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and the Southern California/Central Coast region.

A moving story that I also wanted to bring to light is a young couple living in Santa Barbara tragically lost their baby at 36 weeks. Despite the obstacles, they have turned this tragedy around and have decided to adopt. Here is their story below.

This was quote by a single parent after adopting a child and I couldn't agree with it more...

“Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could, Perhaps in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good…….”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS OR LIVING THE MONTECITO LIFESTYLE CALL SUSAN TODAY.

Collections :: Fast Track your home search with Susan Pate

“My clients were looking to help their daughter and son-in-law find the perfect condo before the arrival of their first baby, due in April,” says Santa Barbara agent Susan Pate. “After two weekends of showings and appointments, the family was still not finding the right fit and I decided Collections might be perfect for them. The tool would reassure them that they were, in fact, seeing everything available on the market and its immediate updates would help them feel in charge of the process.”

“After just two days, my buyers had found a condo that fit all of their needs. One showing later, they were discussing future room assignments and picking paint colors. They ended up making their offer with months to spare!”

The more, the merrier! Any time there are multiple stakeholders involved, think like Susan and invite family members and friends to weigh in throughout the process.

New "Collections" feature targets consumers with pin board concept

- Katherine Clark New York Real Estate News

As the New York City real estate industry declares war on listings aggregator StreetEasy, brokerage unicorn Compass is unveiling a new consumer-facing feature that gives apartment hunters an alternative to the popular listings website.

In effect, Compass wants to build the Pinterest of real estate. Its new feature, known as “Collections,” allows consumers to create their own version of the Pinterest pin board for properties they’re interested in, said Leonard Steinberg, president of the firm.

Homebuyers and their agents can organize the properties they’re eyeing in one place and discuss them via a commenting tool. They can also share availability and pricing changes on the board and invite friends and family to weigh in on apartments by posting their opinions on each listing.

In some ways, the Collections feature is the first major public test of Compass’ tech chops. While much of the 1,400-agent company’s reported $1 billion-plus value is said to lie in its technology, most of those offerings have been agent-facing thus far.

Compass agents have already been using the feature for several months behind the scenes with existing clients, but it is now open to the public. Steinberg calls it “the industry’s answer to the modern way people like to shop.”

“Collections helps the homebuyer feel in control of the process and makes searching for or selling a home less cumbersome and more enjoyable,” he said. “Everyone loves a good mood board.”

The brokerage also hopes the feature will become a strong marketing tool, since agents can create public boards to share with potential clients and on social media.

Steinberg said the feature does not directly compete with StreetEasy — which has drawn the ire of the brokerage community with its “premier agent” feature — but it’s certainly an alternative way to shop for real estate. “Shoppers are always going to look to StreetEasy,” he said.

You're one step closer to finding a home you love. Here are a few quick ways to get started:

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Work one-on-one with Montecito's top Compass Agent, Susan Pate to find a home you love. She’ll schedule your visits and help find more listings that fit your search criteria.

Listing Spotlight :: Birnam Wood Lakefront

Spectacular Lake & Mountain Views on Birnam Wood Golf Course

511 Las Fuentes Drive :: Montecito California

3 bedrooms | 4.5 bathrooms | 5,084 sqft

Offered at $5,495,000 

Set on what may be the most dramatic and premier location within the prestigious Birnam Wood Golf Club, this highly refined home offers spectacular mountain and lake views from its expansive rooms along with the finest examples of superior construction and design. The 3-bedroom plus den home offers high ceilings, handsome moldings, stone fireplaces, warm parquet oak floors and generous marble baths. One of the largest and most inspiring homes in the club.

FACTS

• Bed: 3
• Baths: 4 full, 1 half
• Interior: 5084 sq ft 
• Land: 0.91 acres (approx.)
• Single Family
• Built in 1991

INTERIOR FEATURES

Bedroom Information
# of Bedrooms: 3
First Floor Master

Bathroom Information
# of Full Bathrooms: 4
# of Half Bathrooms: 1

Kitchen Information
Chef's Kitchen

Design Features
Fireplace(s): 2
Granite Countertops
Hardwood Flooring
Tile Flooring
Floor to Ceiling Windows

Additional Rooms
Library
Guest Suite
Home Office

Laundry Features
Washer/Dryer in Unit

Heating & Cooling
Central A/C

Other Features
Security System

EXTERIOR FEATURES

Type of Property
Single Family Home

Garage/Parking
Garage Bays: 2

Other Features
Deck / Patio
Gardens
Level Grounds

Architectural Style
French Style
Single Level (No Stairs)

Views
Golf Course View
Lake View
Lakefront
Mountain Views
Private Lake
Water View
 

PROPERTY/LOT DETAILS

Building Amenities
Clubhouse
Privacy
Security System
Tennis Courts

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS OR OTHER FEATURED LISTINGS CALL SUSAN TODAY.

Montecito Neighborhood Guide

Image :: @poseawkwardly - Aerial Views of Butterfly Beach & Coral Casino

WELCOME TO MONTECITO

Just east of Santa Barbara, Montecito’s eight square miles are flush with lavish estates, luxe compounds, and secluded manors. Affluent families and individuals—including a smattering of mega-celebrities like long-time resident Oprah Winfrey—call this seaside sanctum home. Built into the oak- and eucalyptus-laden foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains (Montecito means “little mountain” in Spanish), the peaceful town boasts several world-class resorts, top-of-the-line schools, country clubs, and a selection of high-end shops and restaurants.

THE NEIGHBORS

An older, well-heeled crowd of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and Hollywood stars, drawn to the neighborhood’s privacy and beauty.

WHAT TO EXPECT

An elite locale of understated elegance sans attitude, filled with quiet streets and gated estates.

THE LIFESTYLE

The town folk mix along beaches and two main streets, and it’s an unspoken rule that no one makes a fuss if a famous face is spotted.

UNEXPECTED APPEAL

There’s plenty of places to see and be seen, from the Biltmore’s Bella Vista restaurant to celeb-studded Butterfly beach.

THE MARKET

Considered the crème de la crème of Santa Barbara County real estate, even teardowns go for millions.

YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH

Sunny days, ocean breezes, beautiful scenery, and the pleasant daily pursuit of the high life.

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NEIGHBORHOOD OVERVIEW

Commute Times

• Summerland 7m by car
• Downtown Santa Barbara 10m by car
• The Mesa 12m by car

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AROUND THE BLOCK

MONTECITO:

A pocket of luxury caught between the magnificent Santa Ynez mountains and some of California’s most beautiful coastline.

Its name has become synonymous with wealth, but this serene seaside town isn’t at all about glitz and glamour like its Tinseltown neighbor 90 miles south (and in fact, some citizens decamp from Los Angeles to Montecito for precisely that reason). A town that neatly walks the line between sylvan and stylish, the neighborhood takes pains to remain semi-rural thanks to the active Montecito Association, which has been tasked since 1948 with maintaining its aesthetic beauty. People have been drawn to the area’s temperate weather and natural charisma since the early 1900s, when neighbor Santa Barbara was in its heyday as a nationally famous health resort.

THE NEIGHBORS:

A well-heeled crowd of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and Hollywood stars, drawn to the neighborhood’s privacy and beauty.

Montecito’s rolodex includes luminaries like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, alongside an impressive history of visitors and former residents with names like Kennedy, Rockefeller, or Carnegie. Here, millionaires and celebrities are treated like regular folks. The neighborhood is also an attractive spot for affluent retirees, with over 20% of the 10,000-odd residents over age 65. Plenty of addresses function as second homes for their jet-setting owners, too.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

An elite locale of understated elegance sans attitude, filled with quiet streets and gated estates.

Montecito may be home to the wealthy, but it’s not at all flashy, haughty, or gaudy. Residential streets are lushly tree-lined, estate entrances discreet, and the main streets’ bars, restaurants, and shops maintain a casual, relaxed vibe.

THE LIFESTYLE:

The townfolk mix along beaches and the two main streets, and it’s an unspoken rule that no one makes a fuss if a famous face is spotted.

Montecito residents greet the day over french toast at Jeannine’s, a local institution known for its informally elegant breakfast fare, then wander the main thoroughfares of Coast Village Road and the Upper Village to browse boutiques like Jenni Kayne and Maison K, linger at Butterfly or Miramar Beach come midday, then wrap up their evenings with a cocktail on the terrace of the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel.

UNEXPECTED APPEAL:

There’s plenty of places to see and be seen, from the Biltmore’s Bella Vista restaurant to celeb-studded Butterfly Beach.

Locals take advantage of the distinguished Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel’s Bella Vista restaurant—which hosts a legendary Sunday brunch—and may enjoy membership to the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club across the street. Outdoor terrace seats at either are key for people-watching while sipping on something cool and fruity.

THE MARKET:

Considered the crème de la crème of Santa Barbara County real estate, even teardowns go for millions.

Though gates and greenery keep most Montecito residences hidden, these bucolic hills hold wonders. Some of the earliest residents and many celebrated names in architecture (including Frank Lloyd Wright and George Washington Smith) have built everything from English manors, Normandy castles, Italian palazzos, Mediterranean villas, Cape Cod Colonials, and marble palaces. In addition to these sprawling estates, there’s also a handful of gated communities, high-end condominiums, and even charming cottages—some of which were once staff housing for the area mansions. Lot sizes are capped at eight acres, with none less than one.

YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH:

Sunny days, ocean breezes, beautiful scenery, and the pleasant pursuit of the high life.

With proximity to some of Santa Barbara’s most glorious beaches in the south, access to ribbon-like trails into the Santa Ynez mountains in the north, plus an array of sporting clubs, eclectic shops, and small eateries, Montecito has all the benefits of a holiday getaway with all the charm of home sweet home.