Montecito

Montecito (Spanish for “Little mountain”) is an affluent unincorporated community. census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, located east of the City of Santa Barbara. The population was 8,965 at the 2010 census.

As a result, montecito occupies the eastern portion of the coastal plain south of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Montecito however does not include areas such as Coast Village Road, which while usually considered part of Montecito, are actually within the city limits of Santa Barbara. 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. 101 Freeway runs along the south end of town, connecting it with other cities in Santa Barbara County and the rest of Southern California.

History

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.  Finding an area reminiscent of Italy, they built farms and gardens similar to those they had left behind in Italy. As a result, around the end of the 19th century, wealthy tourists from the eastern and mid-western United States began to buy land in the area.  Desirable weather and several nearby hot springs offered the promise of comfortable, healthy living, in addition to the availability of affordable land.

Montecito Mudslide

Montecito was evacuated five times in four months between December, 2017, and March, 2018. Due to weather-related events, which included the Thomas Fire. The 2018 Southern California mud flows, and flooding related to the Pineapple Express. In addition, the mud flows resulted in 20 reported deaths.

Butterfly Beach

After the devastation of the mudslides early in 2018. The village of Montecito in Santa Barbara is back and stronger than ever. The always tight-knit beach community had the horrific task of cleaning up debris. As well as struggling with loss, and in many ways is still recovering. The June 1 re-opening of The Four Seasons Resort Biltmore. The guest and members only Coral Casino Beach and Cabana club. Signals the complete restoration of the resort’s 22 acres of oceanfront land. Furthermore, Butterfly Beach, too has reopened and from dawn till dusk. Its surfers and sunbathers and dog-walkers dapple the quarter-mile long beach.