Location: Montecito, Santa Barbara Area, Central Coast, California, USA (Minutes from the famous Biltmore Hotel & Butterfly Beach .) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5+ Baths (Sleeps 7)
Absolutely magnificent and elegant best describe this 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath, 4 fireplace Mediterranean Estate just 2 1/2 blocks from Miramar Beach. Its also close to the upper and lower villages and the famous Biltmore Hotel which makes it the perfect location.
Surrounded by tall hedges and a small road, it is also on its own private island and has no neighbors.
Designed by the famous Mary Craig, in 1927. to recreate the villas she admired in the south of France you will feel transported back in time and place the moment you pass through the wrought iron gates into the enormous arrival court. The oversize Oak doors lead you into a sun filled glass lined foyer/gallery that overlooks a large stone terrace and the garden with its vast lawn and towering 100 year old Oak trees.
To the left of the foyer is the enchanting golden oak walled Library. The smell of leather bound books and a custom made leather sofa will surely lure you in. It has a beautiful hand carved stone fireplace, a small bar. It is the perfect place to read, watch T.V. or just reflect.
A little further on your right is the warm and inviting living room with its Baby Grand piano, its beautiful custom made down sofas and chairs, gorgeous paintings and hand carved marble fireplace. To add to its allure there are four sets of French doors that open onto large stone terraces all have views of the four different gardens.
On the right of the foyer is the elegant sun filled formal dining room. It has 2 sets of French doors that open onto a small stone terrace and the vast lawn. From the dining room you pass through the Butler's pantry into the gorgeous Gourmet kitchen with state of the art stainless appliances. Its light honey colored walls are very serene and the large breakfast nook that comfortably seats eight is the perfect place to dine or talk. Watching the birds bathe in the fountain just beyond the large kitchen window overlooking the garden makes cooking and doing dishes a sheer delight!
The curved stairway in the fayer leads to the bedrooms. The master bedroom is on the right and is in its own wing. It has a large skylight to watch the stars or birds, a 39 inch flat screen T.V. a gas lit fireplace, two balconies, one facing the mountains and the other the vast lawn and garden. The warmth of its butter colored walls are enhanced by lovely paintings. There is also a chaise and a down filled chair and ottoman. The master bathroom has a double sized soaking tub and sits beneath a large skylight, a wonderful way to bathe and also get a sun tan!
The other wing has the three bedrooms and 2 baths and all are beautifully decorated with beautiful views. There ia another T.V. in one of the bedrooms.
All of the bedrooms have down pillows and percale sheets
The gardens are exquisite. The formal rose garden is magnificent. It has a Gazebo and bench at its end. There is a fruit orchard with over 3o trees. Pick your oranges or grapefruits for breakfast, or your avocadoes for lunch and whatever fruit that happens to be in season. The vast lawn is perfect for playing Baci, Croquet or having a game of Catch. There is also a wonderful wooded area, great for playing Hide and Seek, under the towering Oaks with a myriad of winding paths Everywhere you look or wander this garden is magical.
If you stay for a two week visit or more, a housekeeper will change the linens on Fridays and do light cleaning. Two Gardeners tend the lawn and gardens.
Come experience the romance and elegance of yesteryear in this beautiful estate and discover why so many guests return year after year!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: Large arrival court
- Gas Fireplace
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio: 5 terraces
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone: you will be charged for long distance calls
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly: Huge lawn great to play in also wooded area with lots of Birds, Rabbits and Squirrels to feed and watch
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Polo Games at the Polo and Racquet Club in Carpenteria also memebership is available for The racquet Club. and there are also wonderful Wine Tours in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$2,000 for a 3 day weekend - $3,250/week ... $8,950/per month.
If you stay for 2-3 weeks, $3,000 per week. $9,975 for the month.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1974
Why the Owner Chose Montecito
I did not buy my home as a vacation rental it just evloved over the years. I love to travel and do not like to leave my home alone, so it began as a favor, to friends from the East Coast, then it was friends of friends. Some families came from Europe three different years in a row others have come from Canada while I was traveling in Europe or South east Asia. Guests from San Francisco came for a month five different years in a row,and there were others from Canada, and Germany for two different winters and Texas, Conneticut etc. My passion is traveling and I have seen a great deal of the world and love the thrill of being in a new country and best of all I love Paris and have lived there for three months two different times ...and can't wait to do it again! My bag is always packed...and my home does not want to be empty while I am away!
The Unique Benefits at this House
I have traveled most of the world and lived abroad several times and returning home to Montecito always soothes my wanderlust. This little village has everything. The ocean with its healing breezes, its mountain views, our 2 darling villages with wonderful restaurants and shops and just minutes away from Santa Barbara where we have a Museums, Symphony, an Opera Company, a Zoo, several theatre companies and so much more! And if you like Polo we even have International World Class games every Sunday from June until October at The santa barbara Polo and Racquet Club. A membership is available for short term guests. And don't forget if you like wine you will love our wine country in Santa Ynez...wine tasting is just an hour away!
Owner's Map of Montecito
I am an artist and Architectural Designer and my home and garden are my favorite palettes. I've lived here for over 30 years and have poured love into every nook and cranny, and so far there have been 4 major remodels. My garden is an extension of my passion for romance and beauty. Looking out of every window always lifts my spirits and brightens my heart. Living here is having the best of all worlds...an authentic Mediterean home in sunny California. Come and experience romance and elegance while I am away on my travels.
Property Photos
- Entrance to arrival court - Kid Friendly Montecito House with Balcony and Garden - walk to Beach
- View from the gardens - Kid Friendly Montecito House with Balcony and Garden - walk to Beach
- Outdoor dining area under the oaks - Kid Friendly Montecito House with Balcony and Garden - walk to Beach
- View of the great lawn
- The garden fountain
- The great lawn
- The Rose Garden
- The Orangerie
- Sunlit entry way overlooking the gardens
- Sun filled living room
- Living room with view over the gardens
- Wood paneled library
- Elegant, renovated kitchen . Look out into the garden while you prepare meals!!
- Kitchen dining area and banquette
- Sunlit master bedroom overlooking gardens and mountain views.
- Guest bedroom with twin beds
Guest Comments (5)
First (5) of (5). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #231276
There have been 1915 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 15, 2009
Positive Rating
We have stayed at Britt's for 2 years in a row for two months to get away from our cold weather in the winter. We always enjoyed the European grace and charm of the beautiful home. The location is ideal , very close to restaurants and shopping. It is also very close to Miramar Beach where we enjoyed taking long walks. The gardens were always glorious even in the winter and we cherish the memories of our wondeful times.
Positive Rating
The pictures of Britt's home don't begin to do justice to this amazing home. No matter where you look either inside or outside, there is beauty and elegance !
Positive Rating
The pictures of Britt's home don't begin to do it justice ! No matter where you look inside or outside , there's beauty .
Positive Rating
I love staying here!!! Going on my family's 3rd year in a row. This beautiful home is perfect for a month long vacation in Montecito. Right next to the beach and a short drive from down town Santa Barbara, my family and I really felt at home here. The gardens are gorgeous, the rooms very spacious, and the location superb.
Positive Rating
My family and I enjoyed spending our two week vacation in your estate so much that we are returning again for our third time this July! Thank you for giving all of us this wonderful experience. I think the highlight for my husband was picking oranges from your orchard and squeezing juice for our family's breakfast. I enjoyed spending time in each of your gorgeously decorated and art filled rooms.Your gourmet kitchen was a joy to cook in as I watched the wildlife in the garden, and my family [3 children] will never forget the cozy meals we had sitting in your breakfast banquet. It was a thrill for all of us to dine on President Teddy Roosevelt's dining table and of course we ended up having the children read all about him and writing papers for school. We also loved dining al-fresco surrounded by the lush landscape and ancient oaks. The view of your garden from every room in the house made waking up each day extra special. Because my husband and I like to take walks we were thrilled with the variety available from your front door. We liked walking in the woods, peeking at Ophra's estate along the path, grabbing coffee at Jennine's on Coast Village Rd. and of course walkis to and along Buterfly and Miramr Beach.Thanks for making your beautiful home avaiable to us...we can't wait to be back in July!