La Cumbre Country Club: A Century of California Heritage in the Heart of Hope Ranch
Explore the rich history of La Cumbre Country Club in Hope Ranch, from its 1909 origins to its iconic Thomas/Bell-designed course and enduring Santa Barbara legacy.
The History of Rosewood Miramar Beach: From Seaside Hideaway to Modern Montecito Icon
Explore the history of Rosewood Miramar Beach, from its early seaside roots to its modern revival. Explore its dining, amenities, architecture, and Montecito lifestyle.
The History of the Music Academy of the West: Montecito’s Cultural Gem
Discover the rich history of the Music Academy of the West, one of Montecito's most iconic cultural institutions. Learn about its founding, impact, and continued legacy.
El Fureidis: A Look into one of Montecito’s Hollywood Icons
Discover the history of El Fureidis, Montecito’s legendary estate designed by Bertram Goodhue. Explore its Persian gardens, Roman Room, architectural significance, and Hollywood legacy.
Bellosguardo: The Enigmatic Santa Barbara Estate Frozen in Time
Explore the history of Bellosguardo, Santa Barbara’s iconic cliffside estate. Learn about its architecture by Reginald Johnson, its preservation by Huguette Clark, and its role in California’s heritage.
Reginald Johnson: The Architect Who Shaped Santa Barbara’s Refined Elegance
Uncover the legacy of architect Reginald Johnson, designer of the Biltmore, Bellosguardo, and other Santa Barbara landmarks. Explore how his Mediterranean Revival style shaped Montecito and the Central Coast.
The Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club: Montecito’s Icon of Coastal Glamour
Unravel the history, architecture, and coastal elegance of the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club in Montecito. Learn about its 1937 origins, Peter Marino restoration, and why it remains a symbol of California coastal design.
Lotusland: Montecito’s Most Enchanting Estate & Botanical Masterpiece
Discover Lotusland, Montecito’s extraordinary botanical estate created by Ganna Walska. Explore its history, iconic gardens, and lasting influence on Santa Barbara architecture, landscape design, and California living.
Lockwood de Forest: The Artist–Architect Who Shaped Santa Barbara’s Landscape
Discover the legacy of Lockwood de Forest, the landscape architect behind Montecito’s most iconic Spanish Colonial Revival estates. Learn how his partnership with George Washington Smith shaped Santa Barbara’s timeless indoor–outdoor lifestyle.
Casa del Herrero: The Jewel of Montecito
Discover Casa del Herrero, Montecito’s finest Spanish Colonial Revival estate. Learn about its architecture, gardens, history, and lasting influence on Santa Barbara design.
Lutah Maria Riggs: California’s Quiet Trailblazer of Architecture and Grace
Discover the life and legacy of Lutah Maria Riggs, Santa Barbara’s pioneering female architect and a master of Spanish Colonial Revival and modern California design.
The History of the Santa Barbara Courthouse: A Spanish Colonial Revival Icon
Explore the history of the Santa Barbara Courthouse, a Spanish Colonial Revival masterpiece known for its painted ceilings, mural room, sunken garden, and 360-degree views. A must-see architectural icon in coastal California.
How Richard Neutra's Modernist Ideals Shape Santa Barbara's Most Coveted Homes
Discover how Richard Neutra’s modernist architecture continues to shape Santa Barbara’s most sought-after homes and the California indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
40th Annual Montecito Beautification Day
The 40th Annual Montecito Beautification Day is coming up, and it’s one of those simple opportunities to give back to the place that gives us so much. Whether you’re sweeping a sidewalk, planting along a trail, or helping tidy a corner that’s been overlooked, it all matters. Community isn’t built through big moments—it’s built in small acts of care, repeated over time.
George Washington Smith: The Architect Who Defined Santa Barbara
Discover the life and legacy of George Washington Smith, the architect who shaped Santa Barbara’s Spanish Colonial Revival era. Explore his timeless influence on Montecito’s homes and design culture.
How to Light Your Home for Warmth and Ambience
Learn how to create ambience through lighting with Montecito Valley’s guide to color temperature, layering, vintage fixtures, and design studios that get it.
The Functional Role of Courtyards in California Architecture (and Why We Love Them)
Discover why courtyards are the heart of California architecture—from Santa Barbara to Montecito. Learn their design history, benefits, and how to find homes that feature them.
The Lost Art of Front Porch Sitting: Why It Matters, What We’ve Lost, and How to Bring It Back
Discover why porch sitting still matters and how to bring it back. A reflection on architecture, slow living, and community by Montecito Valley.
Best Drought-Tolerant Fruit Trees for Coastal California: How to Grow Abundance with Less Water
Discover the best drought-tolerant fruit trees for coastal California gardens—figs, olives, pomegranates, citrus, and more. A guide for Zones 10b–11a by Montecito Valley Home.
The Importance of Native Landscape in California (and How to Tastefully Rewild Your Property)
Learn how to rewild your California property with native plants that honor the land, conserve water, and create timeless beauty—guided by Montecito Valley Home.