East Montecito

In the past half dozen or so articles we have worked our way across Montecito, looking at different neighborhoods and homes for sale within these pockets. We have covered areas such as western Montecito’s edge on the border with Santa Barbara, the Cold Spring School area, the now-open-again, San Ysidro Ranch and Montecito Union School neighborhood, the beach area near the Four Seasons Biltmore and the Rosewood Resort at Miramar Beach.

We took a verbal and visual drive along the foothills of Lilac Drive and Romero Canyon and now we find ourselves in eastern Montecito in a more rural part of town, yet just a few minutes further away from shops and conveniences than other homes recently featured.

Eastern Montecito can be roughly defined as the streets and homes along East Valley Road, between Toro Canyon Road to the east, Ortega Ridge and the area of Ladera Lane to the west, and the homes and streets to the north of East Valley Road, up to and along Bella Vista Drive east of Romero Canyon. This eastern area of Montecito’s 93108 zip code is not within the Cold Spring or Montecito Union School Districts and is in the Summerland and Carpinteria School Districts.

As mentioned, this area has a more rural feel and most properties are on an a +/- full acre, and larger lots are common here, such as the multi-acre, and five-acre homes on Cima Del Mundo and Cima Vista, and larger parcels such as two of the properties featured here today at 32 and 84 acres respectively. 

750 Ladera Lane: $2,695,000

On lower Ladera Lane between Hidden Valley Lane and East Valley Road is this very private single-level, Cliff May designed home. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home was renovated in 2006 and offers an indoor-outdoor flow in a serene setting. 

 The living room with fireplace is set beneath a wood beamed ceiling and opens directly to an outdoor patio through a set of French doors to the pool and spa area. The kitchen offers vaulted ceilings, stainless steel appliances, a large center island, granite countertops and multiple skylights. Nearly every room in the house opens directly to outdoor areas. 

Resting on an acre (+/-), the sprawling and usable backyard offers mature landscaping, manicured gardens and ocean peeks as well.

720 Ladera Lane: $3,950,000

Just next door is this split-level contemporary California ranch home on 1+/- acre of land. This mini-estate is surrounded by mature oaks, lush gardens and landscaped grounds offering some ocean views as well. There is a pool and spa, a garden studio, outdoor patios and pathways throughout the property.

The 5-bedroom, 4-full and one half bathroom home includes air conditioning, pantry, hardwood and stone floors, abundant windows looking out on gardens, stone fireplaces, an art studio-exercise room and a versatile floor plan spanning nearly 4,800 square feet of living space.

2600 Bella Vista Drive: $8,475,000 

This gated Montecito Mediterranean estate is set on a whopping 32 acres of privacy and offers extraordinary ocean, island and harbor views with a, “top of the world, Ma” feel. 

The home is just over 5,700 square feet in size offering 4 bedrooms and 4 full and 1 half bathrooms. Beyond the impressive entry gates, the estate boasts a private well, fruit trees, a 4-car garage, curving cobblestone driveway and outdoor living spaces. 

The infinity pool leads the eye to the blue Pacific from many rooms. The master suite offers impressive views over the pool to the ocean, islands, and harbor beyond. Additional features include air conditioning, wide doors, a ground floor master bedroom, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a breakfast area and formal dining room as well as an office, pantry, and intercom system within the home.

370 Ortega Ridge Road: $15,995,000

This 84+ acre, close to town agricultural estate offers a single-level main home with Spanish tile roof, a close-to-town location, expansive ocean, island, coastline, and mountain views, a tennis court, pool, parking for guests, sprawling lawn and, oh yes, the ranch itself.

The main home is appointed with 4 bedroom suites, an office, air conditioning and there is a separate guest casita as well. The ranch maintains the Williamson Act Agriculture Preserve status, which allows for a low property tax basis. Additionally, agricultural water is available and the property is zoned, AG-preserve according to the listing information.

For more information on any of these listings or to have me arrange a showing with the listing agents, please contact me directly, Mark@Villagesite.com or call/text 805-698-2174. Please view my website, www.MontecitoBestBuys.com, from which this article is based.