Montecito Homes For Sale * Santa Barbara California

Montecito Santa Barbara Neighborhood

Our finest neighborhood - Oak lined streets, fine estates, and quiet living.

Believe it or not, Montecito is actually a fairly low-key community with a population of about 10,000. While many homes have private gates there are several complexes with their own manned guard gates to ensure their privacy and security you certainly don't have to be a millionaire to purchase a home in Montecito. Anyone would love to live in a home tucked in between the mountains and the sea in a place with near-perfect year round weather.

Would you like to find out which homes are for sale in Montecito? If so, we've got the tools for you to easily do this. Use the latest Google mapping tool to display all Montecito houses and condos, both ACTIVE and SOLD side-by-side.

Montecito History

Before the Spaniards arrived, the Indians used the hot springs above Montecito for healing. In 1855 a very ill Wilber Curtiss came to Santa Barbara and was directed to the springs by local Indians. Finding the waters had worked a "Miracle Cure", he staked a homestead claim for the spring site and became the first American settler. In 1862 he built the first of four wooden hotels at the springs, each successively ravaged by periodic forest fires, the last being destroyed in the Coyote Fire of 1964. The springs are still in existence, but are on private land and are used primarily as a water source rather than for their warmth and curative powers.

The 1920's were boom times for the "millionaire estates." As many as 3,000 cars a day brought tradesmen to work on the mansions in progress. Foremost architects, such as George Washington Smith, with over 30 estates to his credit, Francis T. Underhill, Bertram G. Goodhue and Frank Lloyd Wright were building the Italian marble palaces, Normandy castles, English manor houses and Cape Cod colonials that inhabit the byways and quiet lanes.

After the Great Depression, royal and pseudo-royal snobbery departed and gilt-edged extravagances vanished. Montecito still attracts celebrities and show business personalities, captains of industry and finance, business and computer tycoons who wish to show off their wealth. There is less need to call attention to themselves; they desire to "get away" as much as to see and be seen.

Montecito has maintained its independence and is one of the most desired - and envied - places to live in the world.

SCHOOLS
Montecito Union School
A California Distinguished School, Montecito Union School’s scores are among the top in the state.  This is an incredible school.

Cold Spring School
“The environment of Cold Spring School community is one that is quite special. Located in the lush foothills of Montecito, Cold Spring has maintained a unique family atmosphere that draws the community together for musical and dramatic performances, art faires, festivals, award ceremonies, athletic activities and other family-centered events. From classroom volunteers to serving within our valued school organizations, the parents of Cold Spring greatly enrich the educational experience of all Cold Spring's students.”

Cate School
Founded in 1910 by Curtis Wolsey Cate, Cate School is a boarding school that combines the academic excellence of the best East Coast prep schools with the can-do, adventurous spirit of the West. The intimate class setting averages 10 students per class and a course offering that varies from Japanese to AP Environmental Biology.

Crane School
“Crane Country Day School was founded in 1928 to provide an enriched education to children in Pre-First through Eighth Grades. In addition to the curriculum, Crane provides a learning environment in which children may grow intellectually, realize personal creativity, develop self-confidence, and gain an appreciation for the diversity of the world around them. The school instills in students the values of compassion, kindness, honesty, cooperation, responsibility, leadership skills and an appreciation for individual differences.”

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
“Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is a Catholic day school associated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association. The program is coeducational covering Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Class size is limited to a maximum of thirty students per grade.”

Westmont College
“Students receive a rigorous liberal arts education and grow spiritually on a campus filled with natural beauty. After four years, they graduate as men and women with intellect and character who have reaped the rewards of an outstanding faculty and first-rate experiential learning opportunities.”

Music Academy of the West

“Metropolitan Opera stars Lotte Lehmann and Lawrence Tibbett and composer Ernest Bloch are but a few of the illustrious names in music whose collective dream to open a fine musical finishing school on the West Coast came true in the summer of 1947. Since its inception, the mission of the Music Academy of the West has been the rigorous preparation of talented young musicians for professional careers-through private lessons, small ensemble coaching, orchestral and operatic experience and master classes.”

America’s Best-Kept Secret

Residents of Montecito are living in one of Santa Barbara’s, even America’s, choicest neighborhoods with easy access to all parts of Santa Barbara and excellent nearby shopping and banking. Why don’t you join them?

For a list of featured homes in Montecito, try our unique mapping tool to help you find just the home for you and your family.

Homes for Sale in Montecito

Looking for a new home in the Montecito Montecito area?

People are finally discovering that Montecito is Santa Barbara's – and America’s – most  exclusive communities and an exquisite world-class destination! Be sure you don’t miss this opportunity to cash in on its popularity!

Our expert Montecito buyer agents will help you find exactly what you're looking for.

Destinations, Activities, Entertainment

Gardner Dailey's "Gem of the Pacific" Renovated!
As Montecito’s most exclusive beach club, The Coral Casino Country Club’s  18-month renovation project is finished bringing it to its former glory as the 1937-built society club. The Coral Casino serves club members as well as guests at the adjacent Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel – both of which are owned by Ty Warner, creator of Beanie Babies.    

Experience the Getaway of the Rich and Famous of the 40s
Mr. Warner is returning The San Ysidro Ranch to its golden era. Once owned by actor Ronald Coleman, the ranch’s cottages were used as a discreet getaway for Hollywood luminaries in the late 30s, 40s and 50s. In fact, Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier married there in 1940 and John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned there for a week in 1953. These days, however, the ranch is used by locals as much as it is by celebrities looking for an escape from the big city.

The Stonehouse: A Memorable Dining Experience
“Located in a 19th-century citrus packing house, within the San Ysidro Ranch, the Stonehouse features a relaxing lounge with full bar service and a separate dining room with crackling fireplace and creek side views. Weather permitting, dine under the stars on the ocean view deck—a wood-burning fireplace and heated stone flooring provide year-round comfort. Chef John Trotta's regional cuisine is prepared with a palate of herbs and vegetables harvested from the on-site chef's garden.”

Plow and Angel Bistro
“Plow & Angel, also within San Ysidro Ranch, offers contemporary bistro fare amid charming environs that include a cozy, romantic fireplace. Well-heeled patrons especially love weekend evenings, when the relaxed vibe is especially pleasant and live jazz is an occasional perk.”

Montecito Country Club
Designed by Max Behr (and in redesign by Jack Nicklaus) the Montecito golf course opened in 1919. The 18-hole "Montecito" course at the Montecito Country Club features 6,184 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71.

Birnam Wood Country Club
Birnam Wood (designed by Robert Trent Jones) is an 18-hole golf course at the Birnam Wood Golf Club featuring 5,890 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70.

Valley Country Club
The Valley Club (designed by Alistair McKenzie, co-creator of Augusta National – site of the Masters) is a tight course featuring creeks found on several holes and large trees that can alter your shots. The greens are fast and the fairways are narrow. Numerous sand bunkers add to the difficulty of the course.

Knollwood Tennis Club
The Knowlwood Tennis Club and Coral Casino offer both swim and tennis clubs for their members.

Step Back in Time at Casa del Herrero Gardens
Located on an 11-acre estate in Montecito, Casa del Herrero has remained in the hands of the original family since it was first constructed over 75 years ago. One of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provides a glimpse into Montecito life of the 1930s.

Ganna Walska Lotusland Estate
The 37-acre estate includes gardens created by opera singer Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland is renowned for its Japanese, Australian, succulent, bromeliad, aloe, water and cycad gardens. An amazing accomplishment, it is not to be missed by the garden aficionados, tours are available by appointment.

Montecito Village
"The Montecito Village Shopping Center is indeed the hub of this unique community."

Montecito Beaches & Parks

Montecito is blessed with several wonderful parks and natural places.

Manning Park
Visit Manning Park to get away from crowds on the weekend and enjoy some peace and quiet. A former estate, the park has two levels. The lower level is a beautiful green lawn with lots of big, healthy pines. Bring your picnic basket and barbecue materials and enjoy the atmosphere. The upper level is a sunny lawn adjacent to the playground that’s perfect for toddlers.

Hammonds Beach
Popular with surfers, Hammonds Beach contains Hammonds Meadows, a former Chumash habitation that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Butterfly Beach
Since it’s the most west-facing Santa Barbara beach, Butterfly Beach is often considered the best beach in Santa Barbara for watching the spectacular sunsets with incredible views of Santa Barbara and Stearns Wharf.

Miramar Hotel and Beach
An easy beachcombing walk along  the coast from Butterfly Beach brings you to the wonderful cove of Miramar Beach.  Many quaint homes front on the sand and the Miramar by The Sea has been located here for more than a century. A magnificent new beachfront hotel will be replacing is with work set to begin in 2008 or 2009.  Miramar by the Sea is destined to be one of California’s most coveted resorts.

Cycling
Cycling is a popular pastime for many South Coast residents. One of the best of the many bike paths runs along the ocean from Montecito past the downtown beachfront and up a gentle hill by the Santa Barbara City College campus to Shoreline Park. Another well-marked bike lane runs up State Street from the harbor to the mission, where you can follow ''Scenic Drive'' signs for the route that winds steeply along Alameda Padre Serra through the hills and back toward Montecito. Be prepared to pedal hard and watch for cars.