top of page

LIFESTYLE BLOG FOR SANTA BARBARA & MONTECITO
Search


Katharine Dexter McCormick: A Woman, a House & a Legacy Ahead of Its Time
"Before the pill, before Planned Parenthood — meet Katharine Dexter McCormick, the MIT graduate who funded a revolution in women's health."
Josh Ramirez
Aug 264 min read


Montecito Stays on the Map: What the Sussexes' UK Move Means for Our Corner of the Coast
"The Sussexes are moving to the UK but keeping their Montecito home. Here's what that means for the local luxury market."
Josh Ramirez
Aug 212 min read


A Buyer's Guide to Santa Barbara & Montecito's Architectural Styles
Not every "Spanish house" in Santa Barbara is built the same way. A local breakdown of the architectural styles I show most often — Spanish Colonial, Hacienda, Contemporary, and Craftsman — what each is actually like to live in, and what to ask before you fall for a facade.
Josh Ramirez
Aug 74 min read


🎶 Music Exec’s Modern Ranch Listed at Nearly $10 Million in Santa Ynez Valley
A visionary transformation in the heart of wine country — Power Music CEO Dan Hubbert’s contemporary ranch estate just hit the market...

Princeton North
Jul 30, 20252 min read


🎤 Adam Levine & Behati Prinsloo List Montecito Mansion for $65M
The dynamic duo of Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and supermodel Behati Prinsloo have just listed their stunning Montecito estate for $65 million...

Princeton North
Jul 8, 20252 min read


Montecito's Riven Rock Estate: A Story of History, Beauty, and Intrigue
Montecito, with its timeless elegance and natural beauty, holds many hidden gems, but few are as storied as the original Riven Rock...

Princeton North
Jun 2, 20252 min read


Exploring the Rich History of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Santa Barbara is known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant arts scene. One of its most treasured...

Princeton North
Mar 18, 20252 min read


History of Montecito's Music Academy of the West
The Music Academy of the West: A Legacy of Excellence and Architectural Beauty Nestled in the heart of Montecito, the Music Academy of...

Princeton North
Feb 19, 20253 min read


HISTORY OF MONTECITO'S CORAL CASINO
The Iconic History of the Coral Casino in Montecito Nestled along the pristine coastline of Montecito, the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana...

Princeton North
Jan 28, 20252 min read


History of Montecito's San Ysidro Ranch
The San Ysidro Ranch, located high in the Montecito hills, is today one of the area’s most exclusive resorts. It boasts a history that...

Princeton North
Jun 28, 20243 min read


Santa Barbara History, Plaza Rubio
Plaza Rubio, which faces the rose garden of Mission Historical Park, is a small-scale example of early urban planning. The seven homes...

Princeton North
Jun 3, 20242 min read


History of Montecito's Hot Springs
The 1870s was the decade when tourism first became an important factor in the South Coast’s economy. An important element in this...

Princeton North
Apr 29, 20243 min read


History of Hope Ranch
by Walker A. Tompkins Our area is rich in California history. First written mention of it was made in Portola’s diary on April 20, 1769,...

Princeton North
Dec 18, 20238 min read


Samarkand neighborhood history
by Walker A. Tompkins Samarkand meant “the land of heart’s desire” in the archaic Persian tongue. It identified the fabulous Asian city...

Princeton North
Dec 18, 202311 min read


Upper East Santa Barbara: Where Historic Charm Meets Modern Elegance
Nestled to the east of State Street and extending beyond Valerio Street, the Upper East neighborhood stands as one of Santa Barbara's...

Princeton North
Dec 18, 20232 min read


History of San Roque
San Roque History by Walker A. Tompkins Few residential neighborhoods of Santa Barbara can boast the rich historical background of the...

Princeton North
Dec 18, 20238 min read


Explore the Charm of San Roque: A Welcoming, Family-Friendly Haven in Santa Barbara
Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, the San Roque neighborhood beckons with its walkable streets and diverse architectural wonders....

Princeton North
Dec 18, 20232 min read


Santa Barbara's Riviera: A Tapestry of History, Luxury, and Educational Legacy
Bridging the two mile span which separates Mission and Sycamore Canyons, the sylvan uplift which the padres knew as the “mission ridge”...

Princeton North
Nov 13, 20239 min read


The El Camino Real – California's Royal Road (AKA the 101)
In the heart of Central California, there is a historic road that winds its way through the state, connecting a string of missions. This...

Princeton North
Nov 1, 20232 min read


The Mesa Neigborhood
The Mesa is the Santa Barbara neighborhood which stretches from the harbor along the coast to Arroyo Burro Beach (also known as Hendry's...

Princeton North
Oct 24, 20233 min read
bottom of page