An unincorporated community of just under 9,000 in California's Santa Barbara County, Montecito has been a favorite of Hollywood's acting elite for generations due to the seclusion offered by its many large estates and proximity to both Santa Barbara and Greater Los Angeles. These estates, which sprawl from the verdant foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains to the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, have been designed by a number of noted architects, including George Washington Smith and Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. Though largely crafted along the lines of the Spanish Colonial Revival, many other styles can be found among Montecito's housing stock. No matter the exact appearance of any individual home, however, all benefit from spectacular views, comfortable weather, and the social benefits that come with life in Southern California. Indeed, it was this combination of attributes that led Charlie Chaplin to build the Montecito Inn in 1927, thereby beginning the community's long history as a refuge for Hollywood royalty. There is, however, more to Montecito than just wealth and great mansions, as the Italian immigrants who first settled this stretch of scenic land created the cozy, friendly culture that would later attract many of the world's most famous entertainers in the first place. Today, their legacy still lives on in the small, though highly rated, restaurants and shops that populate the county as well as the laid back, personable culture that differentiates it from city life. When other local features, like the 37 acre Lotusland botanical garden, are also brought to mind, it becomes obvious why so many influential figures have chosen Montecito as their place of quiet refuge.