Area Information - Montecito

One of the most beautiful and exclusive communities in the U.S., and with property values beginning at around $2 million and often exceeding that amount tenfold or more, Montecito has long been a favorite residential and vacation retreat of the well-heeled and the well-known. Many of its homes and estates have been designed by noted architects such as George Washington Smith and his assistant Lutah Riggs, Carleton Winslow, Sanford White, Frank Lloyd Wright, Julia Morgan and others.

Nestled in an approximately eight square-mile area between the Santa Ynez Mountains and a breathtaking stretch of Pacific Ocean, the enclave is home to approximately 10,000 "locals," and plays host to part-time residents from all over the world who own second, third, or even fourth or fifth homes here, as well as visitors -- many of whom come to enjoy the world-class Four Seasons Biltmore Resort and Spa or the acclaimed San Ysidro Ranch.

A community unto itself, yet adjacent to world-renowned Santa Barbara and the cultural, culinary and recreational opportunities for which it's known, Montecito offers two quaint commercial hubs, known as the Upper Village and Lower Village. Each of these convenient areas is best explored on foot, and each contains amenities from groceries to gifts, as well as an array of fine restaurants, from practical to posh.

Montecito's two public schools are ranked among the best in California, and are joined by five private schools and a 1200-student liberal arts college. The community offers two public parks, a YMCA, three private golf courses and a private tennis club.

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