Montecito millionaires ordered to remove boulders they’re using to block public access to popular hot springs — or face stiff fines, prosecution: report
They’re giving them the cold boulder.
Millionaires in a celebrity enclave in California having a meltdown over public access to a nearby trail to beloved hot springs are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place with town officials.
Residents in tony Montecito — home to Oprah and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — were ordered to remove boulders and other obstructions they placed along the road to prevent hikers from parking there before heading to the Montecito Hot Springs, which went viral online during the pandemic, SF Gate reported.
At least six different homeowners received letters from Santa Barbara County’s Public Works office on March 18 demanding they remove the blockades from the public right-of-way near the trailhead or face fines up to $850 a day and possible prosecution, according to the outlet.
The wealthy vigilantes had until March 28 to remove the obstructions from East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road.
It is unclear if the residents followed their marching orders. The Post has reached out to the Santa Barbara Public Works office for comment.
The trailhead has about eight parking spots for vehicles, but after those fill up, hikers park along the road by the millionaire’s mansions. The average home price in the haute haven is $7.2 million, according to Realtor.com.
Despite many residents having long, winding driveways that make their homes invisible from the street, encroachments have been popping up in the area since 2022, when similar letters were sent out to residents, SF Gate reported.
Four homeowners then sued Santa Barbara County over plans to create 62 parking spots near the trailhead.
Montecito residents could apply for an encroachment permit to complete landscaping, but it is unclear if residents applied and were approved.
“We are currently working with residents to permit items that can remain and remove items that need to be removed,” Lael Wageneck, a spokesperson for public works, told SF Gate.
Approved encroachments could be within 10 feet of the pavement and could include mature trees and boulders that were buried at least 40%, the outlet added.
The beautiful hot springs is a 1.3 mile hike from the trailhead located on East Mountain Drive in the San Padres Forest.
It has six pools that cascade down the canyon and each one can fit up to 10 people each, according to Secret Los Angeles.
