Montecito     (Map It)

                                    

Often called "Beverly Hills North" in reference to its large population of film and television celebrities and executives, Montecito enjoys an impressive concentration of world-class real estate. Renowned as a year-round residential and vacation retreat for the well-known and well-heeled, it is an eight square-mile community immediately adjacent to Santa Barbara and brimming with extraordinary homes and estates. Many of these residences are significant for their history and architecture as well as their notable past and present owners.

Stretching from the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains to pristine beaches, Montecito sets a scene of winding roads and lovely lanes lined with lush landscaping, secure walls and impressive gates. A pair of intimate commercial hubs, dubbed "Upper Village" and "Lower Village," serve residents and a steady stream of international visitors who enjoy the nearby acclaimed Four Seasons Biltmore Resort and Spa and the famous San Ysidro Ranch. 

Montecito's two public and five private schools as well as private Westmont College are all ranked among the finest learning institutions in California.

Montecito Links:

Schools:

Montecito Union School District 
Montecito Union School
Cold Springs School District
Cold Springs School, K-6
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School
Crane Country Day School

Country Clubs:

Birnam Wood
Montecito Country Club
The Valley Club 

General:

Montecito YMCA
Beaches
San Ysidro Ranch
Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore
Montecito Inn

Santa Barbara      (Map It) 

                           

Internationally renown as The American Riviera, Santa Barbara is the undisputed jewel of the California Central Coast. Its superb Mediterranean climate, striking Spanish-style architecture, world-class beaches and vast array of cultural and recreational opportunities create an ambiance of relaxed luxury and cosmopolitan sophistication. The privileged community rests against a backdrop of the stunning Santa Ynez Mountains and gazes upon a panorama of the dazzling Pacific Ocean,

Santa Barbara is home to just over 90,000 full-time residents and is a favorite location for international travelers as well as those fortunate to own a vacation home in one of the most magical cities in the United States. Visitors are drawn not only to its spectacular location, dramatic scenery and architecture, but also for its seemingly endless selection of fine restaurants, discriminating shopping, museums and art galleries and nearby Santa Ynez Wine Country.

While celebration of life is a daily occurrence here, the many festivals ? such as the annual, week-long ?Old Spanish Days? Fiesta, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, I Madonnari, ethnic festivals and the Summer Solstice Celebration -- toast the internationally-influenced lifestyle for which Santa Barbara, California has gained worldwide acclaim.

For more information on Santa Barbara, CA visit http://www.santabarbaraca.com/ and http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/.

Santa Barbara  Links:

Schools:

Univ. of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara High School
Santa Barbara School District (K-12)
Santa Barbara County Schools Rankings

Clubs:

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club       
Santa Barbara Tennis Club 
Santa Barbara Yacht Club
Glen Annie Golf Club
Sandpiper Golf Club
River Course at Alisal Ranch
La Cumbre Country Club
Rancho San Marcos

Attractions:

Santa Barbara Mission
Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Downtown
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Shopping Paseo Nuevo
Restaurant Guide
Outdoor Adventures
Wine Tasting

Government & Business: 

Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara City
Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce

Hope Ranch   (Map It)

                            

A privileged part of Santa Barbara since it was named for government agent Thomas Hope in the mid-1800?s, Hope Ranch is the setting for approximately  700 private residences. Many of them are luxury estates nestled on bluffs overlooking the enclave's private beach and enjoying panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Polo and soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and riding trails are just a few of the amenities. Central to Hope Ranch is the exclusive La Cumbre Golf and Country Club with its historic 18-hole course built around sparkling Laguna Blanca. Many  Hope Ranch estate owners are equine enthusiasts and members of the area's Riding Trails Association. The acclaimed Earl Warren Showgrounds, famous for its horse showing facilities, is just five minutes away by car, as is Santa Barbara's popular State Street and its shopping, dining, cultural and recreational amenities.

Hope Ranch  Links:

Hope Ranch HOA Website
About Hope Ranch

 

Carpinteria    (Map It)

                       

Offering a charming small town yet sophisticated ambiance delighting its residents and visitors alike, Carpinteria maintains a balance of business,  agricultural, residential and tourist enterprises while enjoying its place as a vibrant and self-sustaining community. Residential areas provide modest bungalows, multi-million dollar estates and beachfront condominiums, and the downtown core offers a fine selection of shops, restaurants and small businesses.  

Carpinteria City Beach and Carpinteria State Beach & Park are separate though well-integrated beaches running the entire length of the town. They are among the most tourist- and family-friendly beaches on the California Central Coast. Nearly two dozen parks and a public pool add to the community?s recreational riches, and its educational facilities include two prestigious private schools -- Cate and Pacifica Graduate Institute  -- as well as the Carpinteria Unified School System.

Carpinteria  Links:

General:

Carpinteria
Carpinteria State Park
About Carpinteria
Carpinteria Chanber Of Commerce
Carpinteria Beach Cam

Schools:

Carpinteria High School
Carpinteria Unified School District

Clubs:

Santa Barbara Polo Club
Carpinteria Athletics