For those fortunate enough to call Santa Barbara or Montecito home, few experiences better capture the opulence and prestige of the American Riviera than membership in one of the region's private clubs. From hillside sanctuaries to oceanfront communities, these bastions of luxury offer members far more than your typical country club sporting pursuits. Although you can certainly partake in world-class golf or tennis or indulge in high-end wellness or other bespoke amenities, here, membership transcends access; it's your invitation into a world of curated experiences and an elevated sense of community and connection.
Navigate the stately drives and step through the grand entrances of these prestigious institutions, and you'll find sophistication at every turn: crystalline pools, private marinas, artfully designed clubhouses, lush golf courses, world-class cuisine, and award-winning wines. These settings offer the perfect backdrop for members to cultivate relationships beyond mere networking. Indeed, these are institutions for fostering enduring friendships through shared passions and mutual values.
Read on to take a closer look at the timeless, lasting allure of Santa Barbara and Montecito's extraordinary private clubs and golf courses.
1941 East Valley Road, Montecito
The journey first takes us to the eastern edge of Montecito, in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, to Birnam Wood Golf Club. Catering primarily to local residents and the homeowners within its guard-gated namesake community, Birnam Wood provides an upscale experience where golf is just one aspect of this premier lifestyle. Exquisite dining, tennis and fitness facilities, and vibrant social programs complement the legendary course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
1281 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara
With a facade reminiscent of a 1930s Hollywood set, the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club is a feast for the senses. The club's original footprint, located adjacent to the Four Seasons Biltmore, boasts panoramic ocean views from its massive 50-meter pool. The club was recently updated to provide its discerning membership an even more glamorous, bespoke experience. Highlights of this private, close-knit haven for water enthusiasts include a beachfront whirlpool, a cold plunge pool and kids pool, a fitness center and sauna/steam room, and a second-floor restaurant that hosts impeccable service, haute cuisine, and a calendar of chic social events.
1675 East Valley Road, Montecito
Tennis is a favorite pastime in the American Riviera, where the game's competitive and social nature are celebrated in equal measure. For local tennis enthusiasts, nowhere is this spirit of camaraderie captured better than at the Knowlwood Tennis Club. Exuding excellence at every turn, featuring world-class courts and coaching services, the club also includes a pool and barbeque area for members to gather after a day on one of the private club's ten courts. From high-stakes tournaments to casual matches, Knowlwood elevates the game to a new level.
4015 Via Laguna, Santa Barbara
If timeless elegance had an address, it would be La Cumbre Country Club. This prestigious club evokes the enduring spirit of the world's most extraordinary full-service golf and country clubs, with its manicured greens, vintage architecture, and illustrious history. Imagine strolling through verdant gardens or enjoying a round of golf on a course that's as challenging as it is picturesque. Members can also enjoy tournaments, member-guest events, tennis mixers, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
1777 S Jameson Lane, Montecito
Step into the private, social escape that is the Miramar Club, and you're immediately enveloped in an aura of coastal elegance. Overlooking the intense blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Miramar Club represents an even deeper dive into the world of high-end social camaraderie than that of its parent property, the wonderfully opulent Rosewood Miramar Beach. Exuding a throwback sense of style and California cool, luxury is not just a label here — it's a lifestyle. Members indulge in dining privileges, beach butler services, oceanfront yoga classes, curated community events, top-tier concierge services, and full access to all of Rosewood Miramar Beach's bespoke amenities.
920 Summit Road, Santa Barbara
Set on a stunningly beautiful vista overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Montecito Club is among the region's most esteemed and sought-after memberships. Draped in historical charm yet boasting modern amenities, the Montecito Club celebrates the prosperous Montecito lifestyle, starting with its iconic, intricately designed clubhouse. The centerpiece is Montecito Club's 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, a 2015 redesign of the original vintage course that opened for play in 1922. Further club amenities include a high-tech fitness center with private training studios, a 20-seat Dolby Atmos movie theater, an AMF two-lane bowling alley, tennis and pickleball facilities, and a show-stopping outdoor resort area featuring a lagoon-like main pool and dual lap pools.
1901 East Valley Road, Montecito
Occupying a serene swath of real estate between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, the Valley Club of Montecito imbues its golfing members with a sense of the historic with every tee shot, approach, and putt they strike on one of the earliest West Coast designs from famed golf architect Alistar MacKenzie. But more than its golfing pedigree, the Valley Club, founded in 1929, has long carried a reputation for polished elegance. The club is a sanctuary for those who hold firm to traditions that maintain standards of decorum, including a strict dress code, no pets or smoking policies, and perhaps best of all, no cell phones.
1105 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara
In the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Club radiates the classic charm and elegance that stems from being the region's first and still most sought-after private social club. Upon opening its doors in 1892, the character and vibe of Santa Barbara's premier social club have long mirrored that of the city — a rich tapestry of grandeur and elegance where members relax in a posh, yet warm, welcoming environment and indulge in spirited camaraderie and exceptional dining and drinks.
1332 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara
Educated discourse meets upscale leisure at the University Club of Santa Barbara, founded in 1919 by a local group of Santa Barbara graduates seeking refuge to network and trade ideas of the day. The tradition continues today, as this historic downtown establishment is an intellectual haven. It's a prestigious place where scholarly dialogues blend with sophisticated dining and event hosting, member activities, privileges at clubs across the country, and a stimulating setting for the forward-thinking elite.
3300 Via Real, Carpinteria
Merging the world of high-stakes polo with the casual elegance of the Santa Barbara lifestyle, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is a magnet for equestrian enthusiasts, socialites, and anyone who adores being at the heart of Santa Barbara's glamourous sporting scene. The club offers a captivating blend of sport and spectacle, from thrilling matches to luxe soirées on pristine grounds overlooking the Pacific.
130 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara
A mariner's dream, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club offers more than just a docking bay for your vessel. With its inaugural year of 1872, the club is the second-oldest yacht club along the North American west coast and boasts a membership as passionate as they are adventurous. Enjoy sailing events, regattas, family-orientated activities, and a waterfront dining experience that celebrates both the sport and the sophistication of maritime living.
2375 Foothill Road, Santa Barbara
With a focus on community and top-notch facilities, the Santa Barbara Tennis Club is one of the region's most alluring athletic clubs. In addition to its 12 tennis courts, the club also features a heated, 25-yard, four-lane-wide lap pool, a remodeled and expanded indoor/outdoor fitness facility with cardio, pilates, and yoga rooms, and an on-site cafe featuring a Nu Cuisine menu. Expect elite coaching, superb courts, and a harmonious environment that nurtures both competitive spirits and lifelong friendships.
If you’re ready to explore the best of Santa Barbara or Montecito luxury real estate, contact expert Realtor® Sharon Jordano today. Allow Sharon’s years of experience and vast expertise to be your guide to this extraordinary real estate scene.
Sharon is dedicated to helping you find your dream home and assisting with any selling needs you may have.
