Imagined as an Andalusian village by renowned architect Mary McLaughlin Craig, the property commands a premier location with ocean views near Montecito’s Upper Village. The estate has been thoughtfully restored, expanded and refined preserving its timeless whitewashed walls and authentic tile roofs, unfolding across brick courtyards, terraces and exquisitely landscaped grounds as a village-like compound that embraces the sweeping vistas and romance of Montecito.
A sparkling pool and spa anchor the romantic courtyards, while the six bedroom main residence, two bedroom pool house (ADU), and separate entertainment pavilion create a vintage village like compound.
Thoughtfully modernized by Xorin Balbes, the estate remains one of Santa Barbara’s most enduring and heirloom quality expressions of Spanish Colonial Revival design.
Unfolding in sequence, framed openings drawing the eye toward the pool, the ocean horizon, and the quiet sweep of the Channel Islands beyond.
Where Spanish Revival endures. Nearly a century of wear softens the terracotta tile and brick underfoot, setting a tone of quiet permanence. Light pulls you forward through French doors into the central courtyard, where the rhythm of the estate reveals itself.
Crafted like a village overlooking the sea, composed with intention, where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle move as one.
A deliberate dance with detail defines Craig’s architectural language throughout the home.
Her Spanish Colonial Revival is expressed in a raw yet restrained vocabulary of proportion and craftsmanship, where scale is precise and ornament remains secondary.
Each element feels considered, carrying a quiet sense of purpose, drawing you outward to expansive terraces and toward exceptional views.
Beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls, and thoughtfully scaled rooms establish a rhythm that feels measured and intentional.
Purposeful and elegant, the formal dining room and kitchen are the social anchor, uniting conversation and connection.
Original carved wood doors and windows, together with restored doors and windows sourced from Portugal and antique Portuguese lighting, lend warmth, texture, and a sense of history throughout.
Two La Cornue ranges, dual Sub-Zero refrigerators, top-tier appliances, a wine cellar, dual butler’s pantries, plus a walk-in pantry — a chef's kitchen crafted for those who love to cook, gather, and entertain.
Drawing you outside through authentic French doors, the informal dining area off the kitchen opens to an enchanting outdoor dining courtyard.
Where style meets the horizon, the second-floor primary suite is designed as the ultimate retreat. Featuring a light-filled bedroom, adjoining meditation room, and a spa-like bath with steam shower and custom built closet, it is the ultimate repreive.
From its private ocean view terrace, the setting evokes a true Mediterranean village shaped over time.
Rooted in Andalusian tradition, La Macarena reflects an old-world Spanish spirit defined by grace, beauty, and quiet heritage.
Thoughtfully integrated throughout the compound, additional guest accommodations offer independence and comfort while remaining connected to the main residence.
Romantic and inviting, the first-floor primary suite unfolds with a quiet sense of privacy and connection to the outdoors, complete with a private sitting room and French doors opening to the views beyond.
Where work and daily life come together, a versatile office or bedroom with en suite bath opens to a terrace overlooking the pool.
Overlooking the pool, the expansive back terrace captures a romantic sense of drama, where water, sky, and sparkling ocean come into view.
Set quietly apart, a guest cottage with a bonus room and private garden patio adds another layer to the estate, offering a place for guests, work or multi-generational living.
Unfolding across approximately 2 acres, the estate lives as a private Montecito resort. Poolside, an all-inclusive entertainment pavilion draws you in, where wellness and gathering unfold with ease — complete with a home theater, gym, sauna, cold plunge, changing room, full bath, and an open-air bar.
When you’re ready for a little competition, grab your racquet and head to the pickleball court. La Macarena creates a experience of leisure that feels natural, complete, and entirely your own.
Outwardly stunning, inwardly intentional. The two-bedroom, two-bath pool house (ADU) lives as a romantic extension of the main residence.
Complete with a kitchen, living room, and fireplace, it lives as a fully independent and versatile retreat. Authentic French doors open from nearly every room to a brick patio that meets the pool, drawing the outdoors in.
A glamorous 1920s-style pool and spa anchor the lower grounds, framed by architecture and layered hedges.
Magical and lush, the landscape is vibrant with Santa Barbara–inspired plantings, citrus trees, and layered gardens, thoughtfully composed as a natural continuation of the original grounds.
What distinguishes 680 Buena Vista Drive is its balance: a property deeply rooted in Santa Barbara’s architectural history, yet fully attuned to contemporary living.
A considered evolution of Mary Craig’s vision, where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle converge in one of Montecito’s most quietly significant legacy estates.
Total: 8 Beds | 9.5 Baths
Main Residence:
- 4 Beds | 4.5 Baths
- Detached Office Suite: Office (1 Bed) | 1 Bath
- Courtyard Cottage: 1 Bed | 1 Bath & Bonus Room
Entertainment Pavilion: Home Theater, Gym, Sauna, Cold Plunge, Poolside Bar, Pool, Spa, 1 Bath
Pool House (ADU): 2 Beds | 2 Baths | Living Room | Kitchen
Expansive Ocean & Island Views
Main Residence: +/- 8,775 (Source: Measured Mark Armstrong)
Pool House (ADU): +/- 1,387
Courtyard Cottage: +/- 539
Attached Garage: +/- 638
Detached Garage: +/- 775
Main Residence
Chef’s kitchen with dual La Cornue ranges & two Sub-Zero refrigerators
Wine cellar, dual butler’s pantries and a walk-in pantry with custom cabinetry
Second level primary suite with meditation room, barrel ceilings & private ocean view terrace
Primary bath with expansive steam shower, dual toilets & custom closet
First-floor primary bedroom with sitting room
Entertainment Pavilion
Theater, gym, cold plunge, sauna, changing room, open-air pool-side bar, pool, spa and full bathroom
Pool House (ADU)
Living room, kitchen and spacious bedrooms
Opens to the pool and poolside patios
Additional
Nine fireplaces
Original custom carved wood doors & windows sourced from Portugal
Restored antique Portuguese lighting
Hand-applied plaster walls
Integrated whole-home sound system
Heated pool and spa with automatic cover
Pickleball court with viewing trellis patio
Outdoor dining courtyard
Romantic outdoor living room with fireplace
Multiple and expansive sun-drenched view terraces and patios
Extensive use of brick for ocean view patios
Original garden designed by Lockwood de Forest now preserved and expanded
Fully fenced and privacy hedged property
Complete irrigation coverage
~ 2 Acres
1929
2024 - 2026
007-130-011
Mary Craig
Designed in 1929 as Slater House I
The estate represents one of Mary Craig’s first residential works
Xorin Balbes, XorinHomes
Blue Studio & Xorin Balbes, XorinHomes
Authentic Spanish Revival
Antique Spanish Tile
Terracotta tile
Original & duplicate vertical grain Douglas fir peg & groove flooring (~150 years old)
Stone, marble, and tile flooring in bathrooms
Revival Style Stucco
Mixed
Seismically Reinforced Foundation
3-Car Garage - Attached
2-Car Garage - Detached
Gated & Motor Court
Additional Parking for 15 Vehicles
Air Conditioning (5 Systems, 9 Zones)
Gas Forced Air (5 Systems, 9 Zones)
Montecito Water District
Sewer
Water Softener
Montecito Union Elementary School
Santa Barbara Junior High School
Santa Barbara Senior High School
Mary McLaughlin Craig (1889 to 1964) was a significant yet often understated force behind Santa Barbara’s Spanish Colonial Revival identity. Working during a period when few women were formally recognized in architecture, she built a substantial and respected body of work across Santa Barbara and MontecitoMary did not follow the traditional architectural school pathway. She trained and worked closely with her husband and professional partner, James Osborne Craig, contributing meaningfully to the firm’s residential commissions.
After James Osborne Craig’s sudden death in 1922, she played a key role in completing ongoing projects and sustaining the practice. She later continued designing residences under her own name, establishing an independent career and leaving a lasting imprint on the region’s architectural landscape.
At 680 Buena Vista, historically known as Slater House I, that vision is unmistakable. Craig conceived the estate as a hillside village, white stucco volumes stepping naturally with the land, red tile roofs aging with quiet dignity, and courtyards shaped as true outdoor rooms. The interiors are scaled for intimacy rather than excess, yet deliberately oriented to frame ocean views and capture shifting light throughout the day. Smooth plaster, wrought iron, carved doors, and hand laid tile are not decorative gestures. They are structural to the experience, reinforcing both architecture and atmosphere.
“Being connected to how you’re feeling is a state of luxury. Luxury is about authenticity and not trying to impress anyone except yourself.”
- Xorin Balbes, Designer
Award winning architectural conservator, designer, and philanthropist Xorin Balbes is known for restoring some of California’s most architecturally significant estates. His celebrated portfolio includes the revival of the Sowden House, the historic Talmadge Villa, and the Art Deco Security-First Pacific Bank.
At 680 Buena Vista Drive, Balbes brought that same reverence for architectural lineage, thoughtfully restoring Mary Craig’s Spanish Revival vision while refining the interiors for modern living. The result is not simply a renovation, but a careful reawakening that honors craftsmanship, proportion, and historic integrity while elevating the home for today.
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