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2 Beds 3.5 Baths 5,022 Sq.Ft. 0.89 Acres Listing Price: $ 9,250,000

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510 McLean Lane, Montecito, CA 93108

Birnam Wood Estate with English Gardens and Lake Views

A Prestigious Address in the Heart of Birnam Wood

Nestled behind the secure gates of Montecito’s exclusive Birnam Wood Golf Club community, this elegant residence occupies one of the enclave’s most enviable locations. Mere moments from the clubhouse and surrounded by the serenity of nature, the property offers an exceptional balance of privacy, prestige, and natural beauty. Set amid rolling fairways and majestic vistas, this home is a rare offering within one of Southern California’s most distinguished gated communities.

English Garden Grounds with Breathtaking Views

The home’s enchanting grounds evoke the storybook charm of an English garden, artfully landscaped to embrace Montecito’s year-round Mediterranean climate. Mature oak trees stretch gracefully overhead, while manicured hedges, lovely rose bushes, citrus trees, and seasonal blooms create a verdant tapestry of color and fragrance. Meandering pathways and thoughtfully placed seating areas establish a tranquil, park-like atmosphere, ideal for morning coffee or evening reflection. From multiple vantage points, panoramic views of the lake and the Santa Ynez Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop.

Refined Interiors Rooted in Tradition

Step inside to discover a world of understated grandeur. Echoing the grace of European country homes, the interiors feature classic architectural elements including crown molding, rich wood paneling, and vaulted ceilings. The main living room, both stately and inviting, is anchored by a dramatic fireplace, flanked by custom built-ins and awash in natural light. Adjacent to this is a sun-drenched enclosed veranda, offering sweeping views of the golf course and glistening lake—a seamless extension of the living space and a favorite retreat for any season.

A second formal sitting room mirrors the elegance of the main salon, presenting another opportunity to entertain guests or simply soak in the ever-changing light over the landscape.

A Dining Room Designed for Grandeur

At the heart of the home, the formal dining room is a showpiece of scale and style. A soaring ceiling and exquisite, fabric-paneled walls envelop the space in warmth and texture, while a designer chandelier adds drama and sparkle. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding gardens, and French doors open to a stone terrace—ideal for hosting al fresco dinners under Montecito’s starlit skies.

Chef-Inspired Kitchen with Artisan Details

The kitchen blends charm and functionality with an ease that suits both daily living and elegant entertaining. Hand-stenciled cabinetry reflects the artisanal craftsmanship seen throughout the home, while a central island functions as both a prep station and casual dining bar. A wrought iron chandelier and bespoke range hood mural inject a sense of personality and joy. Sunlight pours through the windows, illuminating countertops and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for both cooks and company.

A Private Study for Work or Quiet Retreat

Tucked away for privacy, the home office exudes classic sophistication. With its cathedral ceiling, built-in bookcases, and a wood-burning fireplace, it offers an inspiring space for working from home, reading, or enjoying moments of introspection.

Luxe Primary Suite with Garden Connection

The grand primary suite is a true sanctuary. French doors open directly to the surrounding gardens, inviting in birdsong and fresh air. A generously sized walk-in closet offers ample storage, while the opulent en-suite bathroom, clad in Italian marble, features a soaking tub, separate shower, and dual vanities. The suite’s built-in writing desk tucked beneath a window creates a quiet corner for correspondence, journaling, or a contemplative pause.

Guest Cottage and Additional Amenities

Perfect for hosting family or long-term guests, a separate one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest cottage with its own private entrance provides an in-law suite, creative studio, or deluxe retreat, that’s as functional as it is charming.

Additional features include a spacious three-car garage, offering ample storage and convenience for collectors or multiple vehicles.

A Rare Opportunity in Montecito Real Estate

Combining timeless architecture, exceptional outdoor living, and a prestigious address, this singular property stands as a masterclass in relaxed luxury. It offers not only gracious living within the gates of Birnam Wood, but also immediate access to the distinctive amenities of Montecito.

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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