Known in the mid-19th century as a haven for bandits, Montecito, California, is now best known as an enclave for celebrities. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, enjoying a warm Mediterranean climate.

Montecito is about an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles. Its name comes from the archaic use of the Spanish word meaning woodland or countryside.

Wealthy Easterners built Western residences in Montecito in the late 1800s. Mediterranean and Spanish Revival architecture was favored by those who arrived in the early 1900s, with much of it remaining today. So many well-heeled Europeans came to Montecito to build their country homes during the first half of the 20th century that it got the nickname “The American Riviera.”

The New York Times has called “pale [i.e., overwhelmingly white], pricey, gently geriatric” Montecito “a dizzying combination of old wealth, new wealth, and outrageous physical beauty that has begun to attract an ever-wider range of dreamers.” Home median prices are around $7 million. Many of the grand estates are protected by fences, walls, gates, and large hedges. Nevertheless, while Montecito offers high-end dining, housing, and accommodations, it retains a certain small-town charm.

Among its well-known restaurants, Caruso’s, an Italian-influenced, Southern California-inspired restaurant, earned a Michelin star, including a Green Michelin Star for its dedication to local and sustainable sourcing. Lucky’s is a popular steakhouse that has been around for more than a quarter century. Tre Lune Ristorante serves Italian favorites and possesses a timeless atmosphere.

San Ysidro Ranch, a Leading Hotel of the World, has been operating as a hotel in the foothills of Montecito since 1893. It consists of a bougainvillea-covered hacienda and 38 uniquely designed cottages that feel like private homes. The cottages feature stone fireplaces and canopied beds, as well as outdoor sunken hot tubs. The Ranch claims President Kennedy and Winston Churchill as past guests.

Rosewood Miramar Beach boasts a Michelin-starred oceanfront restaurant (Caruso’s), two picturesque pools, and the only Forbes Five-Star spa in the Santa Barbara area. Its 16 acres feature suites with beachfront views and bungalow suites that offer premium privacy with private terraces and cozy fireplaces. One surprise was that the Pacific Surfliner train travels through the heart of the property, bisecting the main area from the beachfront. The crossing is manned by staff to prevent mishaps.

The Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara, is gearing up to reopen in 2026 with renovated Spanish Colonial villas and bungalows that will evoke the casual glamour that first delighted Hollywood’s power players in the 1930s. The hotel will welcome two new culinary concepts: Thomas Keller’s famed Bouchon Bakery and Nobu, which will serve chef Matsuhisa’s Wagyu tacos, innovative rolls, king crab tempura, and premium sashimi. Chartered helicopters are available to whisk guests from a private terminal at LAX to the resort.

Visitors to Montecito can enjoy both beaches and mountains. Dog-friendly Butterfly Beach is a popular sunset viewing point. In March and April, visitors can watch gray whales migrate north from Mexico through the Santa Barbara Channel.

People visit to gaze at the area’s stunning coasts and experience the excellent hiking trails through the oak- and eucalyptus-laden foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains. The Montecito Hot Springs are inviting small pools of warm water, reputed to have healing properties. The 2.5-mile loop to the springs is not difficult, and treat you to pretty views of the sea from high elevations, but could be better marked, especially at the parts involving crossing the stream. Cumbre Peak leads hikers to Santa Barbara’s highest point at almost 4,000 feet.

Lotusland, an estate and botanic garden known as one of the top ten best gardens in the world, draws visitors to the area as well. Founded in the late 1970s, it features otherworldly cacti gardens, a rare cycad garden, and a Japanese garden. It was one of the first public gardens to become fully organic.

For those interested in history, Casa del Herrero, the “House of the Blacksmith,” is a 1920s and 1930s time capsule of Montecito. The former private residence and current historic museum is one of the finest standing examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the United States. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places and contains a collection of 15th and 16th-century fine and decorative arts from the Golden Age of Spain, as well as a revolving exhibition of artifacts and art.

Shopping is centered along Coast Village Road, where one can find locally-owned boutiques and cafes. Given the locals' high tax bracket, the offerings are not inexpensive.

Current and former Montecito residents include Drew Barrymore, Jeff Bridges, Larry David, Ellen DeGeneres, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Ariana Grande, Rob Lowe, Steve Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Priscilla Presley, Ronald Reagan, and Oprah Winfrey. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved to Montecito in 2020, may be its most famous current residents. The royal couple’s presence has drawn more paparazzi to the town.

Montecito is not without its own share of heartache, however. In 2018, Montecito was the site of catastrophic mudslides in which 23 people lost their lives, and more than 100 homes were destroyed. Entire neighborhoods were buried under mud and debris following a devastating wildfire that scorched more than 280,000 acres, followed by heavy rainstorms. There is a tenuous relationship between foothill communities and mountain ranges that overhang them. Disaster fatigue after months of uncertainty can result in fatal failures to evacuate despite warnings.

Despite the threat of natural disaster, Montecito’s natural beauty, outdoor activities, proximity to the sea and Santa Barbara, picture-perfect weather, and vibrant community make it a popular destination. The addition of privacy and upscale living options attracts high-profile residents, yet it somehow retains a sense of community spirit worth experiencing.