rashbre central: Montecito or bust

Sunday 31 July 2016

Montecito or bust


Keeping our theme of visiting bits of the Hollywood legend, we're currently in Montecito. It's just along the coast from Santa Barbara, on the route towards Malibu and Santa Monica.

Before Hollywood, this part of the coast was where the movies were made. Eventually, all the movie production companies relocated to Los Angeles but the famous ones had first made their home in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area and it remained a major magnet for the stars to play and live.

This time we are staying in a place built in 1926 by Charlie Chaplin as an upscale getaway. The Montecito Inn became one of the most desirable destinations along the California coast. Years later, in 1943, Mr. Chaplin returned to Montecito to marry the love of his life, Oona O'Neill.

Nowadays there's still a fair share of stars amongst the residents. The area is ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. Well known people like Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas, Bruce Willis, Owen Wilson, Drew Barrymore and Ellen DeGeneres have homes in the small town.

We've already adopted Jeannine's as a favourite coffee stop and dined at Tre Lune, the suavely Italian restaurant which has seen an epic number of stars dine.

2 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I have been enjoying your Southern California posts. I had no idea you were only five minutes away from me when you were at The Hollywood Roosevelt-----It sounds like you are, once again, enjoying a trip to our Beautiful state. Love "The Hollywood Connection".....The Santa Barbara area is really beautiful and filled with great History!

rashbre said...

Hello Naomi, great to hear from you.

We did think of you whilst around L.A. although as you'll have noticed, we've been moving about the area quite a bit!