One of Southern California’s Best Downtowns to Explore on Foot
Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Montecito feels more like a relaxed village than a resort town. With just over 8,000 residents, this coastal enclave near Santa Barbara moves at an easy pace. At the heart of it all is Coast Village Road, a one-mile stretch where you can spend the day sipping espresso, browsing thoughtfully curated shops, and enjoying the local dining scene. Just nearby, several beaches offer a chance to unwind by the water. While Montecito’s other streets, like East Valley Road and Hot Springs Road, are full of hidden gems, Coast Village Road and its surrounding area are the perfect place to start soaking in the community’s charm.
Exploring Coast Village Road: Montecito Country Mart & Beyond
Your day naturally starts along Coast Village Road at Montecito Country Mart, a pleasant area that’s easy to wander. There you'll find Caffè Luxxe, a Southern California favorite known for its carefully crafted espresso and organic pastries. The Montecito location also serves breakfast sandwiches and light bites, making it a relaxed place to ease into the day while sitting outside under the trees. Another option is Merci Montecito, an artisanal café offering a variety of items, from quiche, which is only available on weekends, to a breakfast burrito with salsa macha and smoked trout tartini with breakfast radish and eggs.
After you decide on where to eat, take a stroll along the landscaped paths that lead past specialty shops like Clic, a space that first started as an art gallery and bookstore. Today, the bright and airy store has its shelves lined with boutique clothing and accessories. Over at Hudson Grace, a few steps away, you'll find the most stunning décor for your home with its collection of kitchen, bedding, and garden items. Beyond just dining and shopping, Montecito Country Mart is also home to Mate Gallery, which features rotating contemporary art exhibitions alongside vintage collectibles and a thoughtfully curated selection of rare books.
From there, continue along Coast Village Road on a 10-minute walk to soak up more of the local scene. Shops that might catch your eye include True Love Always, known for its well-curated mix of clothing, jewelry, and lifestyle pieces, and Lily, which specializes in delicate, handmade fragrances.
Midday Strolling: Afternoon Lunch, More Shopping & Cocktails
By the time midday rolls around, you’ll likely be ready to settle in for a long, relaxed lunch. Tre Lune serves wood-fired pizzas that range from a classic Margherita to more inventive options topped with spicy chili peppers, wild mushrooms, ricotta, and spinach. The pasta menu is just as inviting, with several versions of spaghetti, creamy fettuccine Alfredo, and gnocchi in truffle cream. Beyond Italian classics, the restaurant also serves steaks, burgers, chicken, fresh seafood, and salads. On sunny days, outdoor seating lets lunch stretch into a slow, lingering experience.
After lunch, walk over to Faherty Montecito, a stylish clothing and lifestyle boutique that perfectly captures the town’s relaxed, coastal vibe. The two-story shop features the men’s collection on the ground floor and women’s on the top, where a balcony with a bar and seating area with a view. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with one of the store’s special events, from art pop-ups to wine tastings or even yoga, adding an extra layer to your stroll along Coast Village Road.
The afternoon continues with a five-minute walk to Honor Bar, an establishment that has locations in Palm Beach, Dallas, and Beverly Hills. At the Montecito location, find classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Negroni, and Martini, alongside The Crush, with Belvedere vodka, fresh grapes, and mint, or the Jackrabbit, blending Milagro reposado tequila, Campari, and grapefruit juice. The beverage menu also has a curated selection of red and white wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay. After sipping indoors or at one of the sunlit patio tables, step next door to Honor Market, where local products and unique finds provide a small, leisurely detour before continuing your walk down the street.
Montecito's Beaches & Accommodations
Since Montecito hugs the coast, you’ll want to spend some time at the beach. Start at Miramar Beach, a sunny, south-facing cove framed by the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort. While there, you can paddleboard, catch a few waves, or simply sink into the sand and watch the water. If you’re staying at the resort, some rooms open right onto the beach, and you'll also have easy access to dinner options later in the evening, including The Revere Room, Caruso’s, and AMA Sushi.
If you’re not staying on property, don’t worry, as there are plenty of nearby beach homes and cozy spots along Coast Village Road, like Montecito Inn and Coast Village Inn. From Miramar Beach, you can also stroll east to Fernald Point Beach or head west to Hammond’s Beach and Butterfly Beach to explore even more shoreline.
Other Downtown Areas In California
Besides Montecito, two other California communities stand out for their walkable layouts and charming streetscapes. From Montecito, take a four-hour drive north to Carmel-by-the-Sea, where its downtown area centers on Ocean Avenue, which slopes gently toward Carmel Beach. From the beach, walk down 8th Avenue toward San Carlos Street to find cafés like Carmel Belle and galleries such as Zantman Art Galleries, with alleyways leading to hidden courtyards full of boutiques and tasting rooms. A few blocks from there, Carmel Plaza on Mission Street offers more exploration.
From Carmel-by-the-Sea, travel three hours to Healdsburg, located within Sonoma County. The city's Healdsburg Plaza serves as the hub of downtown, lined with restaurants, shops, and galleries. But it's the wineries that make it even more perfect for strolling. Tasting rooms like Rockpile Vineyards and Selby Winery are located within steps of each other. But make sure to check their websites for hours of operation and to see if reservations are required before stopping by. From the center of town, it’s a 15-minute walk toward Front Street near the banks of the Russian River with riverside paths and stunning views.
Strolling Through The Heart Of Town
As your time in Montecito winds down, what lingers most is how effortlessly the charming town brings everything together. In just a few walkable blocks, you can move from boutique-lined streets to shaded patios and all the way to the sand without ever feeling rushed or crowded. Between dining at Tre Lune, shopping at Clic, drinking at Honor Bar, admiring artwork at Mate Gallery, and relaxing along Miramar Beach, there’s always something small and delightful to discover. A trip like this doesn't require a packed itinerary, just a comfortable pair of shoes and the freedom to wander at your own pace. And once you’ve explored the heart of town, there’s even more to discover beyond Montecito, with other California communities, like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Healdsburg, that are just as inviting for a downtown stroll.
