Santa Barbara also known as the American Riviera has attracted celebrities for over a century. It’s been suggested that Santa Barbara and Montecito have more celebrities per square mile than Beverly Hills and as such our rarefied community is sometimes referred to as “Beverly Hills North.”
We’re a small town with a big name and a casual temperament that allows the well-heeled and famous to move around and about comfortably. The natives are friendly but not invasive. Mostly…
A short list of luminous dignitaries and celebrities include Oprah Winfrey, George Lucus, Christopher Loyd, Royals Harry, and Meghan, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia di Rossi, “The Dude” Jeff Bridges, Carol Burnett, John Cleese, Drew Barrymore, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Rob Lowe, Kevin Costner, Kenny Loggins, Katy Perry, Jack Johnson, Anthony Edwards, Barry Zito, Google’s Eric Schmidt, Patrick Stewart, Dick Wolf, Don Johnson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bo Derek, John Corbett, James Cameron, Ariana Grande, Dishwalla, Kathy Ireland, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Alan Parsons, Bruce Johnston/ Beach Boys, Lakey Peterson, Tom Current, Shawn Tomson, and Jimmy Connors.
In Memoriam: Kirk Douglas, Jonathan Winter, Tab Hunter, Robert Mitchum, Mel Ferrer, Jay Thomas, Julia Child, Sue Grafton, and Bruce Brown (Endless Summer).
Some notable authors who have resided or still live here are T.C. Boyle, Ross Macdonald, Margret Miller, Pico Iyer, Fannie Flagg, Gayle Lynds, and Ariana Huffington.
As reported by the Montecito Journal here are some recent sightings…
Director Steven Spielberg at the Rosewood Miramar. Singer/songwriter Charlie Puth shopping at Field and Fort in Summerland. Actor Billy Baldwin, just back from filming in Italy. Meghan Markle picked up her java jolt at Pierre Lafond. Lady Gaga noshing on Sicilian cuisine with beau Michael Polansky, and Gwyneth Paltrow lunching at Los Arroyos on Coast Village Road.
Mathew McConaughey at the Rosewood Miramar. Conan O’Brian on his bike at Starbucks in Carpinteria. Maria Shriver at Pierre Lafond. Actress Laura Dern checking out Bettina. Actor Ben Affleck at CVS Pharmacy on Coast Village Road aka CVR. Taylor Lautner checking out the Rosewood Miramar. Former Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith shopping at Pierre Lafond.
Actress Mariel Hemingway at the Belmond El Encanto. Composer David Foster and wife Katherine McPhee at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, and former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs dining at Lucky’s. Prince Harry honing his equestrian skills at the Polo Club. Carol Burnett and husband Brian Miller celebrating her Birthday at the Rosewood Miramar.
Singer Nick Jonas and wife Priyanka Chopra checking out the Rosewood Miramar. Christopher Lloyd at Luckys. Jane Pauley filming at the Santa Barbara Mission for CBS This Morning.
Jamie Lee Curtis and family enjoying daughter Ruby’s wedding reception in the Cucina Room at Olio e Limone. Elon Musk at the Rosewood Miramar. Carol Burnett and musician husband Brian Miller noshing at the Plow and Angel.
Singer Usher at the Rosewood Miramar. Lindsay Lohan at Cafe Luxe at the Montecito Country Mart. Beach Boy Bruce Johnston noshing at Coast & Olive. Writer T.C. Boyle checking out the Honor Bar restaurant. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis with children in Toro Canyon Park.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers enjoying himself with teammates at Lucky’s… Tuesday Weld noshing at Zooker’s in Carpinteria. Katy Perry and her daughter Daisy Dove at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden… Barbara Streisand and James Brolin checked out the Van Gogh exhibition at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Miles Teller at the Rosewood Miramar. Steve Tyrell at the Manor Bar.
James Bond film producer Michael Wilson and his wife at the Van Gogh Exhibition. Kanye West noshing at the FisHouse and Michael Douglas checking out Pierre Lafond…
Prince Harry riding his $1500 electric bike around Montecito with two pedaling security guards in tow… Downtown Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern at the Riviera Theatre. And, comic/actress Rebel Wilson at the Rosewood Miramar.
