663 Lilac Drive, Montecito CA

Exquisite Cape-Cod Style Estate

As if transported to Montecito’s Golden Quadrangle from Cape Cod or the Hamptons, this classic home, the centerpiece of an approximately 2.04-acre storybook Montecito estate, radiates the urbane ambiance of casual affluence. A place of both sophistication and nature, the welcoming residence and its enchanting grounds are at once comforting and cultured. Anyone who experiences the estate becomes immersed in a lifestyle of exceptional luxury, conveniently located near Montecito’s upper village, world-class beaches, and picturesque hiking trails.

The estate’s magical trees and flora guide one to the gated entry, then beyond to the motor court of the main residence, where a brick-paved and barrel-vaulted portico offers formal introduction with its stately columns and handsome door complemented by sidelights and a great fanlight window above. Stepping inside the beguiling home, one is greeted by a substantial foyer with a classic parquet floor and soaring ceiling. There, as it is throughout the home, the impression is one of spaciousness and light. Owners and guests enjoy abundant windows, French doors, high ceilings, and airy rooms where absolutely stunning views of ocean, islands, and the captivating grounds are plentiful.

COMMON AREAS

The striking foyer reveals an open, second-floor gallery overlooking the dramatic living room and its towering truss vaulted ceiling, wood paneling, and handsome fireplace; all bathed in the natural light provided by large windows and French doors. The room and adjacent formal dining room provide breathtaking ocean, island, and backyard vistas. The dining room -- its fireplace stately with black marble surround and mantel, and its French doors opening to a terrace -- stands ready to host the most formal repasts.

The capacious kitchen, beautifully designed for both aesthetics and practicality, and an adjacent den conjoin to form a splendid space for camaraderie. The kitchen is impressive. Its high-end stainless appliances, richly-stained custom wood cabinetry, and its expansive and versatile stone-topped center island create a fabulous culinary venue fit for the most discerning resident or visiting chef, or home cook. Meanwhile, the den is an intimate setting ideal for pre- and post-dining, with its built-in wall of custom entertainment cabinetry and abundance of windows.

Downstairs, a recreation room, opening to a pergola-covered terrace overlooking the grounds, provides endless possibilities: A yoga or art studio, perhaps, or a home gym, playroom, or meditation sanctuary.

BEDROOM SUITES

A pair of entry-level guest suites have en suite baths and open to a private patio. The home’s entire upper level, far from the madding crowd, is host to the splendid primary suite. The remarkable retreat features a handsome fireplace, beautiful hardwood floor, and a sitting area near French doors to a private balcony offering magnificent views of the estate grounds, and beyond to the ocean and islands. Two luxurious baths and large walk-in closets flank the bedroom. An appurtenant room would be perfect as an office, workout or meditation space.

THE GUEST HOUSE

Reminiscent of a charming Moody Sisters cottage, the very private and serene guest house is nestled among mature trees and basks in the dappled light they deliver daily. Nearby, rare plants provide visual delights, enjoyed from the cottage’s front porch. There is also a comfortable guest suite above the multi-car garage.

THE GROUNDS

The exquisite grounds of this singular estate are host to numerous amenities and a multitude of aesthetic delights. The palette is a sprawling emerald lawn embellished with flora and bordered by rare plantings. A pergola shelters a built-in barbecue grill and spacious food prep area near the freeform stone-bordered pool and spa, while another stands outside the downstairs recreation room. A white picket fence surrounds a vegetable and flower garden, and one of several walking paths leads to a charming treehouse.

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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch