Driving there is a nightmare. It took me an hour to drive from the Miramar to the train station one Sunday afternoon. I nearly missed my train. I'm sure those who live there approve of the no-growth thing, and it sure preserves and enhances your property values. That is exactly the kind of environmnet that attracts the Hollywood types (and your beloved Montecito is full of them, and growing). You will end up like Malibu, with hypocrites on your right and left flank, talking egalitarianism and "the people vs the powerful" and ensuring that none of the hoi polloi can get to the beaches behind their homes, which are public property, because they control the right of way. While I'm all in favor of private property rights, it would be nice if these people would be honest about their self-interest and not try to paint themselves as champions of us peons.
Be all that as it may, I acknowledge that Santa Barbara is very beautiful and I'm glad it's working out for you. Just be prepared to be surrounded by LIBERALS.