Montecito Barbers

Our Story

Montecito Barbers is the oldest running barbershop in Santa Barbara, still managed by its original owners. In fact, the business has been in the Sanchez family hands for three generations. The history of barbers in the family stems back 6 generations. Montecito Barbers has also been the sole barber shop in Montecito for over 45 years. It all started in 1964 when Jess Martinez arrived in Montecito. That same year, he purchased a barbershop from Fred Bertrum. The following year, 1965, he started a partnership with Bob Sanchez. Together, on the 13th of December, 1966, they moved their shop to its present location at 1028 - B Coast Village Road, Santa Barbara. Bob's son, Matt Sanchez, decided to start working in the shop and join the business in 1991. He and his wife, Dawn, purchased the business in 1997. They are the current owners of Montecito Barbers. After spending his youth in the shop, Matt's eldest son, Josh, also came to work for Montecito Barbers as the Master Barber. It was after six years of working in the shop that he finally decided to buy his own barbershop downtown. Since barbering runs in the Sanchez' blood, Timmy, Matt's other son, soon came into the picture. Today, Timmy is the Master Barber, and the shop has greatly improved. Montecito Barbers has been collecting awards, with Timmy voted best barber in Montecito and the shop voted as The Independent's Best Barbershop two years in a row. Jess Martinez, the man who started it all, is still active in the business. He is the longest-running barber in Santa Barbara.