The OC Beach Scene

Hey guys! It’s Sunday and we’re heading back up to Santa Barbara to check out more great beaches in the vicinity of this quaint coastal community! Last Sunday’s post was a lot of fun to write, and brought back many good memories of epic winter swells past; however, there is still much more to be said about the enchanting, seemingly endless Santa Barbara shoreline. This week, we continue our journey south down the Santa Barbara coastline to visit the hidden coves of Montecito and the world-class waves of South Santa Barbara County.

Montecito: This exclusive community just south of Santa Barbara proper is known for its towering hillside estates and celebrity residents such as Oprah; however, in my mind, Montecito’s true charm lies in its miles of empty, exquisite shores. Found at the end of oak-lined, cobblestone streets and hidden behind stately, Tudor mansions, the quiet coves of Montecito abruptly appear to the visitor as a revelation–striking in their beauty, yet seemingly out of place amongst a scene that otherwise evokes images of Victorian England or perhaps even the Antebellum South. I’ll never forget the first time I walked down the steps at Miramar, one such Montecito cove, only to be greeted by a woman riding by me on horseback. Her simple smile in response to my awestruck gaze seemed to say it all–”Duh, we are in Montecito after all.”

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