Montecito, a Celebrity’s Paradise

One time Montecito Home of Monty Python’s John Cleese

Montecito is a Celebrity Paradise That’s Surprisingly Under the Radar. Hillside homes in this Santa Barbara community area have to-die-for views and lots of space for running around!  By Claire Carponen  Originally published on October 07, 2017, on Mansion Global / The Wall Street Journal. 

The secluded hillside estates in Montecito, which lies 80 miles west of Los Angeles, between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains in California’s Santa Barbara County, are a paradise for Hollywood stars and the super-rich who want to live in splendid isolation.  Chic, yet somewhat under the radar, the area has a mellow vibe, with sun-drenched tranquil beaches, a Mediterranean climate and a beautiful natural setting that draws comparisons with the South of France and Tuscany.

Montecito’s eight square miles have two parts: the Upper and Lower villages. Hot Springs Road lies on the western edge, the Pacific Ocean to the south, Ortega Ridge to the east and just beyond East Valley Road to the north. The coastline starts from Fernald’s Point in the east and ends at Butterfly Beach in the west.

The area north of East Valley Road and between Hot Springs Drive in the west and Buena Vista in the east is known as the Golden Quadrangle. This area, generally speaking, has some of the area’s most expensive real estate. Set into hillsides, many properties have panoramic views of the ocean and acres of land. Montecito has many charming white stucco homes in Spanish colonial/Mediterranean and Cape Dutch style. The former features red-tiled roofs and the latter is characterized by a central dormer gable.
Located by the beach and nestled in the hills, homes in Montecito are large and widely spaced, which create an open feel and sit on large pieces of land. It has classic old estates, some older ranch-style homes, cottages, and a few contemporary homes. Some of the most beautiful homes are located in the hills above the coastline. They feature panoramic views and come with acres of land, lots of living space, swimming pools, guest houses, and other outbuildings.

Home to Mediterranean-style architecture, beautiful scenery, and year-round sunshine, Montecito is about as idyllic as you can get. But its location is the prime reason why it has become a second-home hotspot and a magnet for celebrities.   Montecito is a five-minute drive from Santa Barbara’s main street, State Street, and Los Angeles is less than 90 minutes away by car. Despite its celebrity credentials, the area has a low-key and understated ambiance. Famous types are often spotted shopping and walking around the villages and nobody bats an eye. For the whole article visit: Montecito, a Celebrity Paradise