Many say that Montecito is where rich people escape their busy lives. And, you’re probably thinking, what does a vacation in Montecito feel like? You might want to consider reading this article before booking various services because, surprisingly, many options are available. For example, you can opt to avail Montecito vacation rentals or check in at a luxurious hotel. If you don’t know where to start, you’ll learn everything you need to know about organizing a successful vacation after reading this article.
Just remember the 4S in planning a vacation: Stay, Snacks, Sights, and Shop.
- Stay
This refers to your accommodation or where you will stay on your vacation. In Montecito, there is a wide range of options that you can choose from, depending on your budget. We can’t guarantee that you’ll actually be sleeping with the stars or celebrities. Still, there’s a decent possibility you’ll be near them.
For instance, Charlie Chaplin founded the Montecito Inn, a glitzy boutique hotel, in 1928. The Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara, and the San Ysidro Ranch are some additional accommodations that famous people enjoy staying at.
A lot of people also opt to rent vacation homes for a lot of reasons. Primarily, vacation homes can save you money compared to hotels. Admit it; planning a vacation, especially as a group/family, can be really expensive. Also, renting gives you first-hand experience of what it’s like living in the area.
- Snacks & Meals
From casual to fine dining, they have it all. Breakfast is available at Bree’Osh, Merci, or Jeannine’s Bakery to start the day. Montecito’s Lower Village also offers a little wine tasting just a short stroll from Miramar. In the Santa Ynez Valley, the family-owned Folded Hills vineyard nurtures its vines using organic methods.
Oliver’s, which specializes in elegant plant-based food for lunch and dinner, is highly praised by vegans and meat eaters. If you’re looking for various cuisines, the best restaurants for Italian food are Tre Lune and Pane E Vino. Los Arroyos is a must for delicious sit-down Mexican food.
- Sights
This refers to the various attractions, tourist spots, and recreational activities you might want to partake in.
Montecito is known for its beaches; as the locals say, it has become an extension of their homes. Butterfly beach is the ideal location in Montecito to spend an afternoon in the sun. You can swim across the ocean, kayak, surf, and look for dolphins and whales in the distance. If you don’t want to venture outside the city, the beach is only ten minutes from Downtown Santa Barbara.
There is also an option of looking into Montecito’s history in Casa del Herrero, a lovely estate constructed in the 1920s. George Fox Steedman was the owner of Casa del Herrero, which was designed by George Washington Smith. This historic, vista-filled estate with a Spanish restoration design is situated east of Valley Road. You can tour this magnificent property from the 1920s to witness a collection of historical relics and be in awe of the elaborate architectural elements.
- Shop
Of course, shopping will not be excluded from the list. In Montecito, shopping is centered in the Upper Village, Coast Village Road, and Montecito Country Mart. At the intersection of San Ysidro and East Valley Roads,
The Upper Village, also known as San Ysidro Village, is home to many shopping centers that target affluent shoppers. What a location, cozy cottage architecture, a laid-back atmosphere—San Ysidro Village has it all!
The Coast Village Road section, the most energetic part of the neighborhood, has almost everything to offer: upmarket hotels, a booming restaurant scene, and boutique shopping.
The Montecito Country Mart, modeled after the village square’s concept and spirit, is a warm place where skilled artisans and businesspeople practice their trades with pride and skill in a park-like environment that is shared with family, friends, neighbors, and tourists.
Conclusion
Montecito has something to offer for every type of person or even traveling as a group. It can be an outdoor or indoor activity; you got it. With a visit to this hidden beachside sanctuary, you may stroll under the stars, enjoy a life of leisure, and discover some of what makes Montecito so unique. What are you waiting for? Book that flight, hotel, or restaurant now!
