Montecito
Oak-shaded estates between the Santa Ynez Mountains and Butterfly Beach.
Montecito is where Santa Barbara's great estates were built, first by Midwestern industrialists in the 1910s and now by families who want privacy, gardens and a village that still feels small.
The community is split into the Upper and Lower Village. Coast Village Road runs along the ocean side with cafés, galleries and the Rosewood Miramar Beach, while San Ysidro Road winds up to the Upper Village, the post office and the Montecito Inn. Above East Valley Road, lots grow to several acres and many properties back onto trail systems that climb into the Los Padres National Forest.
Buyers here tend to choose between three kinds of property: historic estates on large parcels, newer Mediterranean and Spanish Revival homes built after the 2000s, and a smaller pool of cottages and condominiums near the Lower Village. Since 2018, much of the creekside housing has been rebuilt to stricter standards, and debris basins upstream have been expanded, which matters when you review a property's disclosures.
Schools are a major draw. Montecito Union and Cold Spring are two of the most sought-after public elementary districts in the county, and Laguna Blanca, Crane Country Day and Cate are within a short drive.
Living in Montecito
Coast Village Road
Lunch at Tre Lune, coffee at Merci, and a walk down to Butterfly Beach before sunset.
Lotusland and trails
The 37-acre Ganna Walska garden and the San Ysidro and Hot Springs trails.
Clubs
Montecito Country Club, Birnam Wood and the Valley Club are all within ten minutes.
Market snapshot
Twelve-month figures for single-family homes in Montecito. Sample figures for illustration.
- Median sale price
- $6.4M
- Change year over year
- +6.8%
- Median days on market
- 52
- Homes sold
- 38
Estates in Montecito
Search Montecito
Questions buyers ask about Montecito
We pull the county hazard maps, insurance history and any debris flow reports for each property, and connect you with a local insurance broker before you write an offer, not after.
Yes. In our last twelve months, roughly one in four of our Montecito sales never appeared on the MLS. Registering your criteria with us is the best way to hear about them.
