Our mini guide to a Californian crown jewel

Step into Meghan Markle’s Montecito Paradise

March 14, 2025

By now, you’ve probably heard about, if not watched, “With Love, Meghan”, the Duchess of Sussex’s new Netflix series. This cooking and lifestyle show set in Montecito has sparked many reactions, but for us, the only reaction was a yearning for our own royal vacation in this idyllic spot in California.

Filmed in a farmhouse villa with lush gardens, orchards, and a chef’s dream veggie garden and kitchen, you can’t help but want a slice of that paradise for yourself — and you can.
You can actually rent that very farmhouse, Montecito Orchard Private Estate, for holidays and events — simply book through us, and we’ll make that Montecito magic happen.
If you don’t fancy following in the Duchess’s footsteps, there are other stunning accommodation options. Scroll down to discover a couple of our favorites, plus some of the best things to do in this California crown jewel.

P.S. Art in Voyage can create a Tailor-Made Journey just for you, incorporating these and other Montecito gems.

1. Montecito Orchard Private Estate

You can actually rent Montecito Orchard Private Estate (where the show is filmed) for holidays and events. The five-acre property has its own lemon and avocado orchards, four suites, and a dreamy kitchen you can see in detail when you watch the show. The picnic-perfect gardens and views over the Santa Ynez Mountains aren’t too shabby either.

Bonus: The Art In Voyage team can handle this booking for you, along with all the property’s related services and experiences. We provide a seamless, worry-free experience, handling all the details, so you can sit back and relax in those manicured gardens. Plus, you earn gratitude points on all properties (including this one) booked through us. Contact us to arrange it now.

2. Sea Ranch Montecito

Sea Ranch Montecito takes the beach-cottage aesthetic to another level. It manages to hint at its quaint history with shutters, stone hearths, a farmhouse kitchen, and plenty of comfy armchairs for lazing, but does so in the most luxurious way possible. Guests can enjoy accommodation for up to 12 people, a sparkling pool, private access to the beach, four acres of lush gardens with footpaths and palm trees, and complimentary bicycles for pottering around town.

Bonus: As we mentioned above, The Art In Voyage team can handle all accommodation bookings for you, including Sea Ranch Montecito. Why book through us? We handle all the admin, all the fuss, and all the communications. Want to add airport transfers, restaurant reservations, or a courtesy car into the mix? We can take care of that too. Plus, you earn gratitude points on all properties (including this one) booked through us. Contact us to arrange it now.

3. Santa Barbara Wine Country

Santa Barbara Wine Country is about an hour from Montecito and is well known for its world-class wineries. The drive along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (cue The Beach Boys) and through the Santa Ynez Mountains to this wine region is spectacular. Many of the vineyards are organic and sustainable, a favorite being Melville Winery, where Head Winegrower, Chad Melville, leads private tours of the vineyard.

Bonus: Keen on your own Santa Barbara Wine Country experience, tailored to your exact needs and desires? We’ll put together a wine route that incorporates the area’s best wineries and tours with sommeliers and Head Winegrowers. Contact us to arrange it now.

4. Montecito’s Beaches

You’ll find surfers, locals walking their pooches, sunbathers, and celebrities on Montecito’s beaches. They border private (multi-million-dollar) homes and offer spectacular sunset views and opportunities to spot whales and dolphins. The prettily named Butterfly Beach is a secluded stretch great for swimming and sunbathing; the quiet Fernald Point Beach is where San Ysidro Creek meets the sea; exclusive Miramar Beach is where you find the beautiful Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort; and Hammond’s Beach is loved by surfers for its superior waves.

Bonus: Book your stay at Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort through us and earn gratitude points! You’ll get the added benefit of our service and loyalty perks too. Contact us to arrange it now.

5. Horseback Rides

A taste of that Californian cowboy lifestyle? You’ll find it in Santa Barbara. Here, you can head out on horseback on winding trails that lead you through the Santa Ynez Mountains and its fern-lined canyons, past waterfalls and fragrant bay trees, and along golden hillsides that offer Pacific Ocean views. Local stables like Circle Bar B Stables and Los Padres Outfitters cater to all levels of riders, from expert to novice, and offer everything from gentle beach rides to mountain trails with stops for picnics.

Bonus: Not sure which horse to pick or which ride is right for you? The Art In Voyage team will happily sort this out for you. Contact us to arrange it now.

6. Cooking classes

Meghan Markle is certainly not the only cook in town. Montecito’s food scene is full of talented chefs eager to teach you the tricks of the trade. Chef Coco Laforge, who trained at Tante Marie’s cooking school and sharpened her skills in French villages and on private yachts, teaches you how to make everything from pastry to hearty stews in private cooking classes. If you’d prefer a longer epicurean adventure, Chef Pascale Beale (who is also an award-winning food writer and author of 11 cookery books) holds bread-making and other culinary workshops, and also offers tours of local food markets, followed by a cooking class and multi-course meal.

Bonus: The Art In Voyage team will have you cooking in no time — contact us to arrange workshops and classes with these and other renowned chefs.

7. Tour an artisan chocolate factory

Twenty-Four Blackbirds is not only a boutique bean-to-bar chocolate factory; they also have and on-site cocoa and vanilla orchid germination room. Tour both, take a class, and learn everything about the art of chocolate making, from winnowing to temping. All their chocolate is made on-site, including the added flavors that are developed in their factory lab.

Bonus: Just like all the other gems on this list, the Art In Voyage team can arrange the tour for you! Contact us to arrange it now.

Interested in your own Montecito adventure? We’ll create the perfect journey for you, tailored to all your unique preferences and requirements. Incorporate the above or try something completely unique — it’s all possible with Art In Voyage. Contact us here.