MS GARDEN LOOP TOUR Edit page

Why not take a walk:

If you haven’t done so already, take a walk to see the new gardens that have been completed so far.  The Montecito Shores Garden Loopis like taking a walk around the world.   The goal was to create an experience where at every turn of the path you experience a new garden theme from different parts of the globe.  You’ll enjoy a lovely walk while at the same time getting exercise that will keep you healthy.  All projects funded by the assessment of 2018 meet the goal of reducing water thirsty lawn area, installing colorful, lush, draught-tolerant plants specifically bred for their beauty and functionality, controlling erosion over the west side of the property and security and safety along the back side of the property near the rail road tracks. 

Created by Landscape Architect Kris Kimpel and installed by Landscape Contractor Brent Stevens of Coastline Landscape the gardens and street-front landscaping includes 2500 unique patented plants donated by Plant Haven International (www.planthaven.com)

Why not, print this document to take with you as you tour the first time.  Knowing the history and the background will enhance your experience for years to come.

 The Montecito Shores Garden Loop Tour

Start your tour at the updated Montecito Shores entry sign as you enter the complex on Bonnymede Drive

Turn and walk north. As you walk up the paved path toward Building 7 you’ll enter Oak Glenwith it’s majestic Oak and Sycamore trees and small Stonehengebenchnestled between the boulders.  Here you can pause in the garden or sit and await pick up from a friend driving in on Bonnymede Drive.  Notice the dry creek bed on the left and the unique shade plants, many donated by Plant Haven.  

Continuing up the path, you’ll travel on along new rock-lined path reminiscent of a primeval forest, toward building 9.  You’ll soon enter into a lovely shade garden know at Iron Wood Grovewith it’s Asian highlights, such as the newly planted Maple Trees.  Boulder seating in the Zen Meditation gardenwill provide an opportunity to stop for a few minutes and listen to the sounds of the birds (and an occasional train ;-) and think about the fact…how lucky are we to live in such a magical setting. The dry creek bed coming to a fork is not only artistic, but functional for erosion control that has plagued this area in years of heavy rain. 

Continue up the path, through mature Jade plants toward Upper Seaview Drive.  You’ll pass the new plantings of salvias as you walk toward the pool entrance. Enter the upgraded pool area, through the Cecil Brunner rose covered gazebo.

If you haven’t seen the new poolentry and area, stop by for a look (remember to take you pool key).  Pause for a glass of water from the dispenser on the Tennis Court.  With a new deck, large pots of trees and colorful plants as well as majestic palm trees, even if you aren’t a swimmer you’ll find a serene location to sit and read a book or just get life-giving sunshine.  This area was designed to provide another gathering place similar to the popular beachfront tables; another outdoor common area in which to congregate with friends.   You’ll want to come back later to enjoy the upgraded Jacuzzi or sauna.  Or bring your lunch and arrange to join other neighbors at the new table for eight at the end of the pool. 

After leaving the pool, continue toward Building 11 rejoining the paved path. Shortly you’ll reach The Rose Garden, designed with an English garden feel. In the spring we will have roses galore, because the varieties chosen are well-known, award-winners.  Walk through the arbor covered with fragrant Cecil Brummer roses to sit for a few minutes in the stone crescent to enjoy the ocean view in the distance. In Spring, when the roses start blooming, the gardeners will cut roses and leave them in a bucket for owners to select (up to five blooms per week).  Please remember: do not cut roses yourself.

As you continue down the path, with building 10 on your right, you’ll head into the area known as Rainbow Way.  Stop for a few minutes to sit and enjoy the view from the raised bench area.  This was specially designed so you can take in the vista of the ocean in the distance. In the future you can also view, the newly replanted Hammonds Meadow.  That area, which has been an eye sore and fire hazard of dried grasses, is going to be transformed by a nonprofit agency using historic, native plants found there 150 years ago when the Chumash Indians populated the area. 

From your raised platform, look to your right and you’ll see stretching down the path the colorful gardens in front of buildings 10 and 8.   Rainbow Way, got its name because rainbows are known to arch over this area after a rain. That was the inspiration for the landscape design by Landscape Architect Kris Kimpel.  You’ll notice as you continue down the path through this Mediterranean garden that the color palate of plants changes along the walk in the hues of the rainbow.  Purples, to blues, to greens, to yellows, oranges and finally reds.  It is now a spectacular color garden, rich in interest, where once there were only occasional succulents.

You’ll cross Bonnymede Drive near the gate to Sea Meadows and once again join the paved path behind building 6, entering the top of Hummingbird Hill.  As you walk down the path through this colorful pollinator gardenkeep your eye out for hummingbirds and butterflies.We’ve already seen Monarch Butterflies.  Enjoy the patented varieties of colorful, yet draught tolerant plants donated by Plant Haven International.  

As you enter Fig Tree Hollow stop for a moment and just marvel at one of Santa Barbara’s loveliest trees.  This Morton Bay Fig tree is one of the largest in area. These figs are a treasure to our community and a major part of our landscape.  This area has been the scene of community gatherings in the past.

By now you hear the waves and as you round the path, with the wind swept junipers on your right, you may be greeted by the sight of surfers riding the waves.  What a treat to watch them when the surf is up, particularly during the large waves of the winter.

You’ll continue down the path, around to the ocean front which will remain with the low and unobtrusive ice plant  - because after all, the main event here are the ocean views and you want to feel connected to the waves and wildlife.  Vegetation should not interrupt this sense of being at one with the sea.  Keep an eye out for the birds, such as the long-legged majestic white Cranes that visit this tranquil setting.

Pause at the ocean front tables and benches to watch the surfers or beach walkers. You might catch a glimpse of pelicans and dolphins in the distance (and even an occasional seal or whale).  If you plan ahead, carry a snack or sandwich with you and enjoy a setting that is better than any other ocean-front dining in Santa Barbara.  When done, continue along the winding paved path to the west side of this 12-acre property in front of building 1.

As you continue on you’ll come to what is known as Rabbit Ravine(currently barren after the floods).  In spring 2020, this area will have a continuation of the dry creek bed started behind building 9 and 7.  It will be lined with specialty plants that give a California Botanic Garden feel (and that hopefully the bunnies that inhabit the junipers along the path won’t like to eat) and may even have a bench.  This new garden area viewed out the windows of building 1, 3 and 5 should be a welcome relief to the owners whose living rooms have faced this neglected area that has suffered from draught and flood the past five years.

As you arrive back to where you began, (exactly one half mile walk) you’ll see on your left the garden with a marshland feel.  You’ll notice the continuation of our dry creek bed that will divert the water flow from the overflow Bonnymede pipe.  Known to flood during rains, this area has been carefully planned to mitigate that, at least during normal to heavy rainfall. Stroll through this forest inspired glen, noticing the marsh grasses that should be able to take the occasional onslaught of water from the pipe above.

Be sure to visit often, because the gardens will change with the seasons!  ENJOY!

Reverse your walking direction;

Here’s a hint:  Would you like a one-mile workout?  Then turn around and walk back the other direction.  You’ll see that when walking counter clockwise around the loop you’ll experience the gardens from a totally different perspective.  It’s like it is a whole new experience. 

You can’t help but see the other Landscape improvements as you drive up and down Seaview Drive and Bonnymede Drive in the areas known as “the four corners” and along the Seaview street frontage.  Keep in mind these gardens and plantings will mature over the next two years.

Still to be added from the assessment commitment is the Dog Run/Shade Gardenbehind the pool and the Kitchen/Herb Gardenbehind the Tennis Court but those have been postponed due to funding.  Together this is Phase 1 and constitutes one half of the Master Plan approved in April 2017. Phase 2, primarily are the plantings around the building foundations, will need to be funded through another format, such as increases in monthly dues or another assessment.

The Landscape Renovation project has been brought to you by your assessment dollars (about $575,000) and the dedication of the landscape professionals and contractors along the original landscape renovation committee who worked 3.5 years (formed April 2016 and disbanded October 2019): Sunni Thomas, Lauri Nestor, Saralynn Wagnor, and chair Mindy Bingham.  We hope you enjoy it for years to come.

It’s up to all of us to take care of these growing gardens.  So Please:

1. Stay on the path when walking through the gardens on the Loop.
2. Keep your dogs on leash and on the path, only venturing onto the lawnsalong the way to do their business. (and bring your baggie to pick up after them).
3. If you see any plants in distress, report them to Arturo. These are young and growing plants and will take about a year to settle into their environment. They were chosen for their hardiness, draught tolerance, along with their high color but they will require extra level of care this first year and along with annual pruning to keep them lush and compact. 
   1. Note: Each plant was planted in a gopher basket and has irrigation lines directly to its base to deliver just the right amount of water. We now have a world class, high tech watering system that will provide the highest level of water conservation.