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Montecito, California

Coordinates: 34°26′N 119°38′W / 34.433°N 119.633°W / 34.433; -119.633
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Montecito, California
Unincorporated area
Census designated place
Clockwise: view of Montecito and the Pacific Ocean from the Santa Ynez Mountains; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church; Lotusland; Butterfly Beach; Casa del Herrero
Location in Santa Barbara County and the state of California
Location in Santa Barbara County and the state of California
Montecito, California is located in southern California
Montecito, California
Montecito, California
Location in the United States
Montecito, California is located in California
Montecito, California
Montecito, California
Montecito, California (California)
Montecito, California is located in the United States
Montecito, California
Montecito, California
Montecito, California (the United States)
Coordinates: 34°26′N 119°38′W / 34.433°N 119.633°W / 34.433; -119.633
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountySanta Barbara
Government
 • State senatorMonique Limón (D)[1]
 • Assembly MemberGregg Hart (D)[1]
 • U. S. rep.Salud Carbajal (D)[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
9.265 sq mi (23.994 km2)
 • Land9.259 sq mi (23.979 km2)
 • Water0.006 sq mi (0.014 km2)  0.06%
Elevation
[4]
180 ft (55 m)
Population
 (April 1, 2020)[5]
 • Total
8,638
 • Density930/sq mi (360/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes
93108, 93150
Area code805 and 820
FIPS code06-48844
GNIS feature IDs1661052, 2408861

Montecito (archaic use of Spanish for woodland or countryside)[6] is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara County, California, United States.[7][8][9] Located on the Central Coast of California, Montecito sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Montecito is best known as a celebrity enclave, owing to its concentration of prominent residents.[10] An affluent town, the median home price was $7.5 million in 2024.[11] For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Montecito as a census-designated place (CDP). The population as of 2022 is approximately 8,638 residents.

History

[edit]
The gardens at Arcady, a Mission Revival estate built in 1905 for industrialist George Owen Knapp
Las Tejas, a Spanish Revival estate built in 1917 by architect Francis W. Wilson for banker Oakleigh Thorne

The site of present-day Montecito, along with the entire south coast of Santa Barbara County, was inhabited for over 10,000 years by the Chumash Indians. The Spanish arrived in the 18th century but left the region largely unsettled while they built the Presidio and Mission Santa Barbara farther west.[6]

In the middle of the 19th century, the area was known as a haven for bandits and highway robbers, who hid in the oak groves and canyons, preying on traffic on the coastal route between the towns that developed around the missions. By the end of the 1860s, the bandit gangs were gone, and Italian settlers arrived. Finding an area reminiscent of Italy, they built farms and gardens similar to those they had left behind.[citation needed]

Around the end of the 19th century, wealthy tourists from the eastern and midwestern United States began to buy land in the area.[12] It was near enough to Santa Barbara for essential services while still being secluded. Desirable weather and several nearby hot springs offered the promise of comfortable, healthy living, in addition to the availability of affordable land.[13]

The Montecito Hot Springs Hotel was built near the largest of the springs, in a canyon north of the town center and directly south of Montecito Peak, in Hot Springs Canyon. The hotel burned down in 1920; it was replaced a few years later by the smaller Hot Springs Club.[14]

The architect George Washington Smith is noted particularly for his residences around Montecito, and for popularizing the Spanish Colonial Revival style in early 20th century America, as is Lutah Maria Riggs, who started as a draftsman in Smith's firm, rose to partner, and later started her own firm.[15]

Montecito was evacuated five times in four months between December 2017 and March 2018 because of weather-related events, which included the Thomas Fire, the 2018 Southern California mudflows, and flooding related to the Pineapple Express.[16] The mudflows resulted in 20 reported deaths; 28 others were injured, and at least four people[17] were reported missing.[18][19][20][21] FEMA gave the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District $13.5 million in 2020. The funds will be used to buy land in Montecito to construct an $18 million project that will help control debris flows from San Ysidro Creek with a larger debris basin.[22]

Geography

[edit]
Sunset at Butterfly Beach

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP (census-designated place) has a total area of 9.3 square miles (24 km2), 99.94% of it land and 0.06% of it water.

Climate

[edit]

Montecito experiences a warm Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csb) characteristic of coastal Southern California. Because of Montecito's proximity to the ocean, onshore breezes significantly moderate temperatures, resulting in warmer winters and cooler summers compared with places further inland. With its gentle Mediterranean climate, Montecito has long been a desirable location for horticulturists.

Climate data for Montecito, California
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31) 		88
(31) 		92
(33) 		100
(38) 		101
(38) 		109
(43) 		109
(43) 		102
(39) 		107
(42) 		103
(39) 		97
(36) 		83
(28) 		109
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 64
(18) 		65
(18) 		66
(19) 		70
(21) 		70
(21) 		74
(23) 		77
(25) 		78
(26) 		77
(25) 		75
(24) 		70
(21) 		65
(18) 		71
(22)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 43
(6) 		45
(7) 		47
(8) 		49
(9) 		52
(11) 		55
(13) 		58
(14) 		59
(15) 		57
(14) 		53
(12) 		47
(8) 		43
(6) 		51
(11)
Record low °F (°C) 24
(−4) 		25
(−4) 		32
(0) 		36
(2) 		38
(3) 		42
(6) 		48
(9) 		47
(8) 		43
(6) 		36
(2) 		30
(−1) 		20
(−7) 		20
(−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.80
(97) 		4.34
(110) 		3.34
(85) 		0.72
(18) 		0.30
(7.6) 		0.08
(2.0) 		0.02
(0.51) 		0.04
(1.0) 		0.29
(7.4) 		0.53
(13) 		1.37
(35) 		2.36
(60) 		17.19
(437)
Source: [23]

Demographics

[edit]

As of July 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated a population of 8,638.[9]

2010

[edit]
El Fureidis, designed in 1906 by architect Bertram Goodhue
The Santa Barbara Biltmore is located in Montecito.

The 2010 United States Census[24] reported that Montecito had a population of 8,965. The population density was 967.7 inhabitants per square mile (373.6/km2). The racial makeup of Montecito was 8,267 (92.2%) White, 218 (2.4%) Asian, 55 (0.6%) African American, 38 (0.4%) Native American, 6 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 156 (1.7%) from other races, and 225 (2.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 605 persons (6.7%).

The Census reported that 8,033 people (89.6% of the population) lived in households, 932 (10.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and none were institutionalized.

Of the 3,432 households, 831 (24.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them; 1,936 (56.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 234 (6.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 93 (2.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 110 (3.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 36 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 941 households (27.4%) were made up of individuals, and 527 (15.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34. There were 2,263 families (65.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.79.

The age spread of the population accounts 1,515 people (16.9%) under the age of 18, 1,234 people (13.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,169 people (13.0%) aged 25 to 44, 2,716 people (30.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,331 people (26.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

4,238 housing units represented an average density of 457.5 per square mile (176.6/km2), of which 2,522 (73.5%) were owner-occupied, and 910 (26.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%. 6,081 people (67.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,952 people (21.8%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

[edit]
The Casa del Herrero, designed by architect George Washington Smith in 1925, is considered to be one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in California.[25]

The census of 2000 counted 10,000 people, 3,686 households, and 2,454 families residing in the census-designated place (CDP).[26] The population density was 1,072.3 inhabitants per square mile (414.0/km2). There were 4,193 housing units at an average density of 449.6 per square mile (173.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.2% of the population.

Out of the total of 3,686 households, 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.85.

The CDP population age distribution was 18.4% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 16.6% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $110,669, and the median income for a family was $130,123. Males had a median income of $81,719 versus US$42,182 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $70,077. About 2.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]
Lotusland is a botanical garden and historic estate open to the public.

As an unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County, Montecito has no city council or municipal government.[27] Municipal services are provided by Santa Barbara County;[27] as with the county's other unincorporated areas, Montecito's law enforcement agency is the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.[28]

Montecito is part of the Santa Barbara County Supervisor District 1,[10] which elects one supervisor to the five-member Board of Supervisors.[27] Unlike other unincorporated areas in the county, Montecito has two government agencies which together act as its planning commission: the Montecito Board of Architectural Review and the Montecito Planning Commission.[27] Proposals to incorporate as a municipality have been a perennially recurring feature of local politics, but has never come to fruition.[27]

Montecito does not include some important commercial areas such as Coast Village Road as they are within the city of Santa Barbara.

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Access to backcountry hiking trails is obtained through the community.[29]

March and April are the months to watch gray whales migrate north from Mexico through the Santa Barbara Channel.[30]

Arts and culture

[edit]

The Music Academy of the West is a summer classical music training program and festival with local performances Lotusland is a 37-acre (15 ha) estate and botanic gardens built by Polish opera singer Ganna Walska and managed as a nonprofit.[10]

Education

[edit]
Historic Monterey Revival estate designed by G.W. Smith

Children in Montecito are enrolled at Montecito Union Elementary School and Cold Spring Elementary School.[8] Both of these K–6 schools are operated by school districts which only run one school.

Montecito has no public schools serving grades 7–12. Students who wish to attend public schools must enroll in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and commute to Santa Barbara Junior High School, followed by Santa Barbara High School.

The four-year Westmont College is located in the hills above Montecito.

Transportation

[edit]

Notable roads spanning Montecito include East Valley Road, Mountain Drive, and Sycamore Canyon Road, all of which form part of State Route 192. In addition, the U.S. Route 101 freeway runs along the south end of town, connecting it with other cities in Santa Barbara County and the rest of Southern California.

The nearest train station with Amtrak service is Santa Barbara (SBA).

Notable people

[edit]

Notable current and former residents include:

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  2. ^ "California's 24th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  4. ^ "Montecito". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  5. ^ "Montecito CDP, California Quickfacts". United States Census Bureau.
  6. ^ a b Beresford, Hattie (August 12, 2021). "A Brief History of the Development of Montecito". Montecito Journal. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Panzar, Javier (December 12, 2017). "Ornamental landscaping in celebrity-studded Montecito adds to fire danger". LA Times. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  8. ^ a b McCormack, Don (1999). McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000. Mccormacks Guides. p. 58. ISBN 9781929365098.
  9. ^ a b QuickFacts Montecito CDP, California Montecito CDP, California Population Estimates, July 1, 2022, (V2022)], U.S. Bureau of the Census.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Amy Larocca (July 30, 2023). "What Is It About Montecito?". New York Times.
  11. ^ Mauhay-Moore, Sam (2024). "Homeowners in wealthy Calif. town try to block public trail". SFGATE.
  12. ^ Covarrubias, Amanda (January 19, 2015) "Montecito poised to decide on a modern version of Miramar Hotel" Los Angeles Times
  13. ^ Baker, p. 61-62
  14. ^ Baker, p. 62
  15. ^ Pridgen, Andrew (May 20, 2022). "One of the wealthiest enclaves in California is uninsurable against wildfires". SFGATE. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  16. ^ Molteni, Megan (March 23, 2018). "See Everything Bad About Climate Change in a Single California Town". WIRED. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  17. ^ "Here are all the people who died in the California mudslide". USA Today. January 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "Five people now missing, 17 killed in Montecito mudslides". KSBY. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  19. ^ "California scrambles to clear mudslide debris before new storm hits". NBC News. January 15, 2018.
  20. ^ "13 dead in Southern California as rain triggers mudslides". San Francisco Chronicle. January 9, 2018. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Mejia, Brittny; Hamilton, Matt; Etehad, Melissa; Tchekmedyian, Alene (January 11, 2018). "Up to 43 people still missing in Montecito; dead include four children". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  22. ^ Orozco, Lance (October 28, 2020). "Federal Grant Sets Stage For Project To Try To Prevent More Dangerous Debris Flows In Montecito". KCLU News. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  23. ^ "Zipcode 93108". www.plantmaps.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  24. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Montecito CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  25. ^ "NHL nomination for Steedman Estate". National Park Service. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  26. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  27. ^ a b c d e Meagher, Chris (July 3, 2008). "Montecity? The Pros and Cons of Incorporation". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  28. ^ McCormack, Don (1999). McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000. Mccormacks Guides. p. 59. ISBN 9781929365098.
  29. ^ Molina, Joshua (April 23, 2022). "Montecito Homeowners Take Legal Action Against County Over Parking for Hot Springs Trail". Noozhawk. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  30. ^ Robert Reinhold (March 17, 1991), What's Doing In: Santa Barbara New York Times.
  31. ^ Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito, California, photograph (2012) by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
  32. ^ Arnold, Gail; Welsh, Nick (March 27, 2019). "Montecito's Villas at Olive Mill Project Opens". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved March 9, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Hamm, Keith (July 19, 2017). "Billy Baldwin Announces 'Backdraft' Sequel". Montecito Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  34. ^ Beale, Lauren (November 17, 2013). "Actress Drew Barrymore sells Montecito estate for $6.35 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  35. ^ a b c Eberstein, Amanda (December 9, 2020). "Celebrities Aren't the Only Buyers After Montecito Real Estate". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d e Gumbel, Andrew (August 16, 2020). "Montecito: the super-wealthy enclave Harry and Meghan now call home". The Guardian. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  37. ^ a b Valeris, Monique (November 19, 2019). "Oprah Purchased Jeff Bridges's Montecito Estate for $6.85 Million". Town & Country (magazine). Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  38. ^ a b Flemming, Jack (November 13, 2010). "Oprah buys Jeff Bridges' Montecito ranch for $6.85 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  39. ^ Leitereg, Neal J. (February 18, 2016). "One-time Montecito home of 'Monty Python's' John Cleese for sale for $8.25 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  40. ^ "Robert M. Colleary, 82", The Montclair Times, February 23, 2012. Accessed April 15, 2022. "He went on to become executive producer of Benson and 'It's A Living, retiring to Montecito in 1989."
  41. ^ a b c "Celebrities flee seaside enclave amid threat from California wildfires". Belfast Telegraph. December 11, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  42. ^ Davies, Rachel (February 24, 2022). "Larry David Buys $5.7 Million French Normandy-Style Cottage in Montecito". Architectural Digest.
  43. ^ Katie Schultz (September 30, 2022). "Larry David Buys Traditional-Style Montecito Home for $7.6 Million".
  44. ^ Lauren Beale (April 28, 2010). "Al Gore, Tipper Gore snap up Montecito-area villa". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ^ Flemming, Jack (November 4, 2019). "Author Sue Grafton's Montecito compound for sale at $7 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  46. ^ Davies, Caroline (December 15, 2020). "Harry and Meghan sign multi-year podcast deal with Spotify". The Guardian. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  47. ^ Beale, Lauren (July 10, 2014). "Onetime home of singer Burl Ives is for sale in Montecito". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  48. ^ Beale, Lauren (March 23, 2012). "Actor Christopher Lloyd lists Montecito home at $6.45 million". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  49. ^ "Stars' Homes Destroyed & Threatened By Montecito Fire". Access Hollywood. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on August 14, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  50. ^ David, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Steve Martin Lists Bunker-Like Montecito Modern". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  51. ^ "Mitchell, John Joseph, 1945-". SNAC. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  52. ^ Michelle Drown (May 10, 2018). "Brad Paisley's Montecito Mission". The Santa Barbara Independent.
  53. ^ "Jack Palance". legacy.com. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  54. ^ McLellan, Dennis (May 6, 2003). "Suzy Parker, 69; Was a Supermodel Before Term Was Coined ..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  55. ^ "Priscilla puts home in Montecito on market". Ventura County Star. May 29, 1990. p. A-2.
  56. ^ "Arts in Lockdown Series Part 15: Film Director and Producer Ivan Reitman". Montecito Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  57. ^ McClain, James (December 27, 2023). "Zoe Saldana Drops $17 Million on a Grand Old Montecito Estate". Robb Report. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  58. ^ David, Mark (June 20, 2014). "Owen Wilson Adds to Ample Property Portfolio". Variety (magazine). Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  59. ^ David, Mark (February 8, 2016). "Oprah Coughs Up Almost $29 Million for Equestrian Estate in Montecito". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2017.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Baker, Gayle. Santa Barbara. Harbor Town Histories, Santa Barbara. 2003. ISBN 0-9710984-1-7.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montecito, California.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Montecito.
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