Step inside Montecito, California, the dreamy celebrity playground Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and other A-listers call home

Anneta KonstantinidesJul 10, 2021, 17:29 IST

I recently spent the night in Montecito, the California town that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry now call home.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I recently spent a day visiting Montecito, where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry live.
The Santa Barbara town is full of celebrity residents, including Ariana Grande and Oprah Winfrey.
Every meal I had was delicious, and everyone I spoke to was unfazed by daily star sightings.

I knew I wasn't in your typical town when I heard someone happily exclaim, "My boat comes on Friday!"

I recently visited Montecito, California, one of the most star-studded neighborhoods in the US. nik wheeler/Getty Images

But let me back up. Montecito has always been popular with Hollywood stars, but it's recently made headlines after winning the hearts of two very famous royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to Montecito in July 2020. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool/Getty Images

I booked a $56 round-trip Amtrak ticket from LA to Santa Barbara and made the trek to the "American Riviera," as the idyllic coastal city has long been nicknamed.

The Amtrak station in Santa Barbara. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

As my Amtrak train pulled away, I admired the beautiful views of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara already looked chic as I pulled into the city. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My Lyft pulled up to the charming Montecito Inn, where I'd be spending the night.

The front of the Montecito Inn. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I was too early for my check-in, so I changed into my outfit for the day in the hotel lobby's bathroom before dropping my bag off with the valet.

My Meghan Markle outfit for the day. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Montecito is cute, clean, and quiet. It instantly reminded me of other affluent California suburbs.

Montecito's streets are lined with boutiques. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

What surprised me the most about Montecito was that I couldn't see, or even hear, the beach.

A big main road runs through Montecito. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After I walked through the town, I was ready for some lunch, so I made my way to the adorable Jeannine's Bakery.

Jeannine's Bakery in Montecito. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

As I walked into Jeannine's, I was greeted by a wall of champagne.

The champagne wall at Jeannine's. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I thought the mimosa was just going to come in a glass, but I got an entire bucket.

A mimosa bucket at Jeannine's. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

It wasn't long before the Eggs Florentine arrived on a plate that was bursting with color.

The Eggs Florentine at Jeannine's. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After finishing up brunch, I made my way back to Montecito Inn and got into my hotel room.

My room at the Montecito Inn. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After a brief power nap, I decided to go back into town and speak to some of the people who worked there.

Inside a Montecito boutique. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

As I talked to more people, two things became obvious: No one had seen Harry and Markle, and no one was starstruck by Montecito's Hollywood residents.

Montecito's buildings are painted in white or other neutral colors. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After I walked the length of Montecito again, I decided it was time to check out Butterfly Beach.

The entrance to the beach in Montecito was through this tunnel under a freeway. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I admired the mural that covered the walls of the tunnel as I made my way under the freeway.

The tunnel's walls were covered in a mural of the ocean. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

As I came out of the tunnel, I walked through a street lined with houses that got progressively nicer as I inched closer to the beach.

I stumbled across this unique house as I made my way to the beach. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

It wasn't long before I arrived at Butterfly Beach, which was stunning.

It was a beautiful day at Butterfly Beach. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My last stop of the night was Lucky's, a steakhouse in town where Harry and Markle once had a double date with Katherine McPhee and David Foster.

Lucky's Restaurant in Montecito. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Everything I tried at Lucky's was absolutely delicious.

My dinner at Lucky's Steakhouse. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

As I sipped on a glass of red, I observed the crowd and chatted with another waiter about the restaurant's famous guests.

Enjoying at glass of red at Lucky's. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After a good night's sleep, I woke up early to have one last breakfast before catching my train back to LA.

The front of Bree'osh in Montecito. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The avocado tartine was easily one of the most beautiful pieces of toast I've ever seen.

The avocado tartine from Bree'osh. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

With its great dining and a lovely beach, Montecito is definitely worth a day trip.

Enjoying my mimosa at Jeannine's. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

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