Secluded Montecito Flag Lot Fixer

Tucked above East Valley Road on a secluded flag lot between San Ysidro Road and El Bosque Road, this 1952 single-story ranch cottage is a rare fixer-upper opportunity in the heart of Montecito. Set on nearly half an acre (0.49 AC) beneath mature oaks, a gravel motor court leads to a light-filled home ready for its next chapter.

Inside, a spacious living room centers on a classic brick fireplace, complemented by a versatile office or sun room with its own closet, easily reimagined as a second bedroom, plus two full baths. French doors open to a patio, where paths wind past numerous concrete planters and garden beds. The expansive back yard offers mature lemon and grapefruit trees and a storage shed, ready for gardening, entertaining, or expansion.

Just seconds from Montecito Upper Village and minutes to the beach, Coast Village Road, and top-rated schools, this flag-lot setting delivers exceptional privacy and potential in one of California’s most coveted coastal foothill enclaves.

Architectural Character

A classic example of Mid-Century Modern Ranch design, the home showcases:

A low-pitched, butterfly-leaning gable roof with deep overhanging eaves and exposed rafter tails
A diagonal wood brace beneath the eave, a signature mid-century structural and decorative flourish
Vertical board-and-batten siding in a light cream hue
Long, low, horizontal massing typical of the Ranch style
A tall, painted brick chimney providing a striking vertical accent against the roofline
Simple multi-pane windows that keep the facade clean and understated
Homes like this one, built in 1952, reflect the wave of post-war California ranch construction that shaped Santa Barbara-area neighborhoods from the late 1940s through the 1960s, offering a genuine piece of the region’s architectural history.

The Setting

Montecito’s Upper Village is just seconds away, with the beach, Coast Village Road shops and restaurants, and top-rated schools only minutes further. Rarely does a property this private, this close to the village, and with this much room to make it your own come to market. Bring your vision and craft a peaceful coastal foothill retreat in one of the most desirable communities in California.