CRISTAL’S PICKS: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EVENTS IN JUNE 2023

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The summer officially begins on June 21, and Santa Barbara is gearing up for a season filled with excitement and fun. As a prominent realtor in this area, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the summer months each year. The abundance of Santa Barbara County Events in June leaves me spoiled for choice, making it challenging to decide how to make the most of my time. From exhilarating music festivals and surf celebrations to the new Santa Barbara Lavender Festival and the much-anticipated Summer Solstice Parade, there's something for everyone to enjoy in our beautiful beachside paradise.

Poster for Ojai Music Festival with dates and bubble photos of featured artists participating

Here are my top picks for Santa Barbara events in June 2023:

77^th Ojai Music Festival, June 8-11, 2023
Described as "a creative incubator par excellence," the Ojai Music Festival is a not-to-miss event celebrating the spirit of Ojai and its commitment to exploring new horizons. The four-day musical extravaganza will feature concert events at Libbey Bowl, kicking off with a performance by red fish and blue fish, the resident percussion ensemble of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In addition, be sure to take advantage of the FREE Morning Meditation at the Chaparral Auditorium and Tan Dun's captivating Ghost Opera at the Greenberg Center. Fun, music, sunshine, all at once!

The colorful poster for the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival with a drawing of a surfer taking a wave

Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival at the Lobero Theatre, June 9-10, 2023
Surf enthusiasts will want to attend the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival, a remarkable tribute to the rich surf history of our region. This event showcases the talent and storytelling prowess of filmmakers, artists, board shapers, and surfers who have shaped our local surf culture. The festival's highlight is the Surf Film Festival Block Party featuring surf exhibitors, live music, local artisans, delicious food, and craft drinks. So, immerse yourself in surf culture and enjoy this festive occasion. Knowledge of how to hang ten not required.

Wood desktop with home improvement tools such as markers, tape measure, ruler, paint brush, etc.

The Santa Barbara Home Show, Earl Warren Showgrounds, June 10-11, 2023
If you're a homeowner looking to enhance your living space, don’t miss the Santa Barbara Home Show. This event provides a chance for Santa Barbara homeowners to explore hundreds of the latest home products and services, connect with home improvement professionals, and gain insights into repairs, upgrades, and sustainable living options. You’ll find everything from kitchen and bath renovations to outdoor makeovers. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet industry experts in building, remodeling, and decorating to make your dream home a reality.

A group of mostly women holding glasses of wine while enjoying live music at a wine festival. — Photo Credit: Stephen Adams Photography

The Ojai Wine Festival, Lake Casitas, June 17, 2023
Indulge in a delightful array of award-winning wines, craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and fine spirits at the 35^th Annual Ojai Wine Festival. The event also features a tempting selection of gourmet food trucks and fine arts and crafts vendors, all gathered at the scenic Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley. Get your groove on at the lakeside dance floor while enjoying the energetic tunes of Area 51, Santa Barbara's hottest dance band. By attending the Ojai Wine Festival, you'll also be supporting a great cause—this event is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, assisting low-income families, and enriching the lives of local youth through various activities.

A magical float in the Santa Barbara Solstice parade, with a man wearing a wild and colorfully decorated hat in the center surrounded by tall balloons and a shiny piece of fabric in front of him — Photo Credit:Scott London

Summer Solstice Celebration, Festival, June 23-24, 2023
Join an explosion of creative energy at the 49th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration, a signature Santa Barbara event that marks the beginning of the summer season. This year's theme is "ROOTS," and you can expect an extraordinary display of artwork, costumes, performances. The celebration kicks off with a special ticketed concert on Friday, followed by the iconic Solstice Parade which starts at Noon on Saturday at the intersection of Ortega and Santa Barbara Streets. Experience the spectacle of creatively decorated floats, imaginative costumes, bands, dance ensembles, and more as the parade travels down Santa Barbara Street and ends at the Solstice Festival at Alameda Park. As the website says, “there’s no better way to renew our spirit, come together as a community and rediscover our ROOTS.”

2 people holding wine glasses and toasting at the Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival®

Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival®, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, June 24, 2023
Indulge your senses at the Santa Barbara Wine and Food Festival, the premier culinary event in the region. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mission Creek at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, this festival brings winemakers, bakers, and chefs together to showcase the best of the Central Coast. Sample more than 100 exquisite wines and culinary delights while enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful surroundings. Early entry allows access to the Museum's Backyard with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and entertainment.

A tight shot of blooming lavender — Off2riorob, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Santa Barbara Lavender Festival, Old Mission, Santa Barbara, June 24, 2023
Get ready to indulge in a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and soothing aromas in this celebration of the beauty and versatility of lavender. Enjoy live music as you stroll through the grounds of the Old Mission, immersing yourself in a sea of purple hues and delightful fragrances. You'll be greeted by mesmerizing displays of living lavender plants and fresh bouquets as vendors unveil their new and unique lavender products, and exquisite wares. Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the wonders of lavender and bring some home with you while you’re at it.

The Old Mission Santa Barbara also presents the city with a special replicated exhibition of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel starting this June through September 4. Get up close and personal with paintings that have been reproduced as close as possible to their original sizes, allowing admirers to take in the artwork at a distance impossible to achieve in the actual Sistine Chapel.

As you explore the exciting events in Santa Barbara County events in June 2023, remember that the summer months are also a fantastic time to consider moving to or within any of the vibrant Santa Barbara area communities. Warmer weather, more flexible schedules, and an increased number of properties hitting the market combine to make June the perfect time to hunt for your new home or home away from home. Give me a call at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a free consultation regarding selling and buying.

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“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