The highlight of my recent trip to California was visiting Montecito. It’s an idyllic town in Santa Barbara where a few people I know live. They say once you visit Montecito, you will buy a house there and will I am not sure about the three month deadline, I could definitely see myself living there someday.

This old orange BMW looked so perfect against the orange flowers. Everything is a photo opp in Montecito.

If you visit Montecito, you have to stop by the Montecito Country Mart. It’s where Mate Gallery, which I featured a few weeks ago, is located.

Kendall Conrad also has a small shop in the Montecito Country Mart.

And definitely pick up something delicious to eat at Merci to Go which was opened by former New Yorker Elizabeth Colling.

My friend Monelle Totah also has an outpost of her San Francisco store, Hudson Grace, in the Montecito Country Mart.

Pony rides are a popular attraction on Saturday morning at the Montecito Country Mart. That’s my friend Alice Ryan Miller’s son Grey taking a ride.
Grey’s dad Kirk Miller has opened a pop up of his New York store Miller’s Oath at the Montecito Country Mart that should run for 2-3 weeks.

That’s Kirk Miller playing on the beach with his daughter Elliott Grace on Butterfly Beach.

People who live in Montecito say they take a walk on the beach almost every day. So jealous!

We had dinner with designer Kendall Conrad at the iconic San Ysidro Ranch during our stay as well.  It’s where Jackie and Jack Kennedy had their honeymoon and I highly recommend booking a stay if you can afford it or at least make reservations for dinner at The Stonehouse or the Plow & Angel.
The car spotting in Montecito was fantastic as seen by this old Mercedes at the San Ysidro Ranch.

We saw old cars all along the main street of Montecito and we ate breakfast outside every morning at Jeannine’s.

Jenni Kayne has a lovely shop in Montecito at the Upper Village on the road leading to San Ysidro Ranch.

I posted photos of the home William Laman shares with his partner Bruce Gregga on the blog in the post Artful Restraint so it was fun to see his store William Laman Furniture, Garden, and Antiques. It is also located in the Upper Village.

We stayed at the Four Seasons Biltmore and had an amazing stay. The location is perfect and we had an ocean view with a terrace. It was so relaxing to sleep hearing the waves crash into the ocean at night. The photos below are a few more of the property.

I can’t believe how beautiful Montecito was in early February. I may have to consider renting a house for a month next winter.

Big thanks to Alice Ryan Miller, Kirk Miller, Kendall Conrad, Elizabeth Colling, and the Four Seasons Biltmore for an amazing introduction to your gorgeous town! I can’t wait to come back!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic