A home with a gorgeous view — the sea, a magnificent landscape, or a cityscape — is a true privilege. America is home to unparalleled inspiring vista views, and California arguably has the lion’s share of these. With gorgeous mountain ranges, dramatic cliffs, and the timeless beauty of the Pacific Ocean, this state is a feast for the eyes. The Santa Barbara and Montecito areas are located in the middle of all three and afford impressive views in any direction — one of the many reasons Montecito real estate is some of the most prestigious and sought-after in the country.

With this in mind, let's look at residential options you could call home which feature these gorgeous views.

 

Intentionally reminiscent of the French Riviera, the Santa Barbara Riviera incorporates a lush hillside meandering from Montecito to the Mission. The roads are curved and lined with sandstone walls, and Eucalyptus trees, and sumptuous villas as well as charming cottages. The Riviera in Santa Barbara has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara. This area has all the elegance of the Riviera in France right here at home in California.

Santa Barbara Riviera houses for sale offer truly breathtaking views, gorgeous hiking trails, and access to one of the area’s best bars and restaurants at a five-star boutique hotel. Indie film buffs will love checking out The Riviera Theatre, while The Santa Barbara Bowl is an amphitheater hosting summer concerts. If you’re into sports in addition to film and concerts, be sure to swing by The Santa Barbara Tennis Club.

 

Hope Ranch is a suburb of Santa Barbara with about 2,200 residents, a hilly area next to the coast and filled with many shady trees. The community has gated entrances to find one-acre Montecito real estate up to 50-acre properties. There are about 700 homes in the area, and 37 are on top of the bluffs with dramatic views of the area. One of the most prestigious private schools in the region is nearby, along with a few riding clubs, tennis courts, and a private community beach. Hope Ranch offers an exceptional quality of life every resident has come to treasure.

_{495 E Mountain Dr.} 

 

The Montecito area has some of the most sought-after and prestigious beachfront homes for sale in Santa Barbara. Just ten minutes from the town center, it has a population of about 9,000. Forbes referred to the area as a “celebrity enclave” as Oprah Winfrey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Prince Harry and Megan Markle all call Montecito home. From Fernald’s Point to Miramar Beach, to the popular with surfers Hammonds Point, Montecito has some of the most beautiful seaside areas you will find anywhere, garnering a placement on Travel and Leisure magazine’s Best 50 Places to Travel in 2019. Properties here are decidedly high-end with luxurious appointments and spacious accommodations, and some located at the top of the cliff feature breathtaking views of the sea.

Carpinteria is a small city of about 13,000 people in Santa Barbara County, located ten minutes from Montecito. It claims to be home to the world’s safest beach, and seals and sea lions can be seen from the shore from December through May. Other exciting wildlife sightings include colorful starfish and fascinating octopi. Carpinteria is not just for the retirees - families are drawn here with the seven schools in the area. Oceanfront homes are some of the most desirable here as they are just a short walk from Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserves and Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park. These protected outdoor spaces are home to many rare and endangered plants, animals, and birds. Carpinteria is ideal for enjoying the oceanfront living and the rare and beautiful nature surrounding it.

Working with a local real estate agent is the best way to be sure you can find the property with the right amenities, location, and views for you. Local agents have in-depth knowledge of the area and understand the crucial differences of the various neighborhoods and communities.

An experienced agent will take the time to get to know you so they understand the lifestyle you are seeking and will properly match you with the right communities. Some of the condominiums in the area are heavily used for short-term rentals like AirBnbs, making them ideal for those seeking investment properties. If you want to stay clear of frequent travelers and traffic, agents will show you the complexes for long-term residential living and guide you to secure the best property for you among the homes for sale in Santa Barbara.

If you are interested in learning more about properties with views in Santa Barbara and Montecito, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Chris Palme for expert guidance.