Communities

Montecito

The old-world charm of Montecito (Little Woods) brings people from all over the globe to live and vacation in the historic estates, private residences and beachfront homes and everything in between that make up this understated yet well-known beach and mountain community.

Italian settlers who thought the area reminiscent of Italy directly influenced Montecito’s idyllic look and built farms and gardens similar to those they left behind. At the end of the 19th century, wealthy tourists from the East and Midwest began to purchase land and build some of the finer estates we see today.

Many a celebrity and corporate leaders have called Montecito home, or at the very least have had a wedding or weekend escape here. It is home to the beautiful Four Seasons Baltimore Hotel on Butterfly Beach, and the historic San Ysidro Ranch where John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned.

The upper and lower villages of this culturally rich town offer wonderful restaurants and boutiques, as well as two highly sought after public elementary schools, and with a population of just over 10,000 Montecito deserves its reputation as a true paradise.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is often referred to as the “American Riviera” or the “Jewel of California’s Central Coast”. It stands out as one of the most picturesque oceanfront towns in the United States and enjoys the geography and similar climate of the French and Italian Rivieras with the Santa Ynez Mountains rising dramatically behind the city.

In addition to being a popular tourist and resort destination, the city economy includes a large service sector, education, technology, health care, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, and local government with a population of approximately 90,000.

Our symphony orchestra, ballet, theater groups, galleries, museums and a host of higher educational institutions demonstrate the town’s cultural richness. Many recreational activities include golf, tennis, hiking, biking, sailing, swimming and surfing just to name a few.

Carpinteria

“Carpinteria” ~ the name alone is rich in history and evolves from the Spanish for “carpentry” which describes the large seagoing canoe-building enterprise, or “carpentry shop” the native Chumash Indians once had along its shores.

A highly desirable “old-time” beach town, Carpinteria has a population of just over 13,000 and is located just minutes south of downtown Santa Barbara. Carpinteria is home to some of our area's finest sandy beaches and beach communities. It boasts beautiful parks, popular schools, and many year-round recreational activities.

Carpinteria is also home to nurseries, many of which are open to the public and offer a variety of fresh flowers and plants. Since 1987, the Avocado Festival has been held on the first weekend of October and the Santa Barbara Polo Club, one of the main equestrian polo fields in the country holds world-class tournaments from April through October. The foothills of Carpinteria extend to lush hillsides with world-class ranches and orchards, all with incredible views of the Pacific and beyond.

Summerland

This idyllic seaside town was founded in 1883, by spiritualist and real estate speculator H.L. Williams who divided his land into tracts and sold them to fellow spiritualists. Today, the spirit of Summerland is embodied in its small-town feel and beachside community.

The relaxed, tiny hillside community is cradled between Montecito and Carpinteria and boasts breathtaking Island and ocean views. With a population of almost 1,500, the town’s single main street is lined with restaurants, boutiques and a healthy dose of antique stores and is served by its own elementary school.

Property choices abound with small cottages, large homes, grand estates, beach houses, ranches and condominiums to choose from. Getting around is easy in Summerland as most things are walkable due to the short distances. Santa Barbara and its world-class dining, shopping, and cultural activities are just minutes away.

Hope Ranch

An exclusive and highly sought after residential enclave, Hope Ranch is located in the southwestern part of Santa Barbara on approximately 1,860 acres with roughly 700 homes and miles of horse trails meandering throughout the community. With its wide mesas, towering palm-lined main streets and rolling hills, the feeling of serenity is everywhere and privacy prevails. Hope Ranch boasts a private beach, tennis courts, public and private schools, La Cumbre Country Club and miles of equestrian trails for the many horse enthusiasts.

Those who are fortunate enough to call Hope Ranch home will tell you it is a place like no other.

Goleta

Goleta is Spanish for “schooner” and is located just 5-10 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Incorporated as a city in 2002 with a population of over 50,000 residents, it is comprised of traditional neighborhoods of single-family homes and condominiums with larger properties and ranches gracing the foothills. The University of California Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Airport, and the Bacara Hotel all call Goleta home, as do many high tech and aerospace companies. Business, technology, and higher education are balanced by Goleta’s open space and natural beauty. From the butterfly preserve, majestic beaches, bluff-top trails, and golf courses, Goleta is a suburb that has largely avoided suburban sprawl and remains a peaceful Pacific paradise.

Santa Ynez

Thirty minutes north of Santa Barbara tucked between the Santa Ynez and Los Padres mountains, lie six small towns and open, verdant spaces which make up the Santa Ynez Valley. This temperate region is best known for its world-class vineyards and sprawling ranches.

In the midst of this relaxed, country atmosphere there is much to offer including many outdoor activities for the active person. Biking, hiking, golfing and horseback riding along the open range are all easily enjoyed year-round, as are fishing and boating at nearby Lake Cachuma.

A variety of property choices exist in the Santa Ynez Valley – from the modest homes in the Sideways town of Los Olivos to multimillion-dollar ranch estates just outside it. A small airport is also available for access in and out of the valley.