Neighborhood Watch 2026

A few pockets of Montecito and Santa Barbara are already telling us where buyer attention is going this year.

Ennisbrook in Montecito leads the list. 439 Meadowbrook Drive came on the market after a quiet pocket launch last year and went into escrow in under a week with four offers. The combination of single level, ocean views and the gated, lower Montecito location proved to be the winning formula for today’s luxury buyers.

Hope Ranch continues to outperform on value. Larger parcels, usable land, and a lifestyle that’s increasingly hard to replicate at Montecito price points keep demand steady.

Lower Village remains a perennial favorite. Walkability to Coast Village Road, Butterfly Beach, and the Rosewood Miramar Beach continues to drive demand. This week saw a 1922 Spanish-style estate hit the market in the Hedgerows, a location with a track record of steady appreciation.

Sea Meadow is worth watching closely. We’re hearing early chatter around upcoming opportunities in this tightly held beachfront enclave, which are rare! Last year there were only two sales in this gated beachside community, both over $7M.

Montecito Ranch Estates makes the short list this week as 220 Montecito Ranch Lane came on the market for $19,950,000. For buyers tracking resort-style coastal properties near the heart of Montecito, this prestigious neighborhood is worth considering.

Together, these neighborhoods point to a familiar pattern: lifestyle leads, demand follows.

What Happened in Montecito Last Week?

January 18th – January 24th

weekly spotlight

Something for Everyone

Three fabulous properties hit the market last week, ranging from a classic Montecito estate with ocean and island views, to a turnkey Birnam Wood beauty, and a sleek, fully renovated Mesa beach house with pool and ADU, just steps from the beach.

Explore each of them below!

869 Knollwood Drive | Montecito | $12,250,000

2125 Birnam Wood Drive | Montecito | $13,250,000

114 La Marina | Santa Barbara $5,500,000

That sums it up for last week!

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