The Montecito Family YMCA is a beautiful and welcoming space that clearly has whole-person wellness as its top priority. I was staying near Montecito for a while and needed a place to work out. I'm usually a pretty hardcore gym person, but something about the Montecito's Y website was extremely attractive so I decided to give them a try. I was going to schedule a tour on the site but did not since I couldn't be certain of the time I'd be able to get there. The website was very inviting and said something like "...or just stop on by..." which I did, I was greeted so warmly, and so enthusiastically by the staff (John, along with 2 lovely ladies whose names I did not get) that it felt both unreal yet fully genuine at the same time. The facility, while housing modern equipment, feels like a throwback to a simpler time, with multiple workout areas, some partially outdoors (awesome!) and a great pool that's heated year-round. Every member I encountered offered a warm smile and a hello, and extra touches like a wide array of flowers for sale are wonderful. I was set to be in the area through the New Year for a job that unfortunately ended prematurely. Still, I'm so grateful to the team at the Montecito Family Y for inviting me in so beautifully when I visited, providing all the equipment I needed for a full workout, and for existing as a beacon of community at a time when our world needs it the most. read more

Love this location, the workers + lifeguards, and the pool. They all work hard to make sure you have a good experience. This review is solely for the male locker room. I don't know what the best solution is for this but it's a mess in terms of behavior. Nobody follows the sauna rules and brings in newspapers, headphones, food, and one guy even put his gross soaked workout clothes over the heater to dry! Just absolutely abhorrent, inconsiderate behavior. One man recently brought a huge glass bottle inside to drink with the other day, and a few of us were worried what would happen if it fell off the bench. We're all barefoot, after all. Sure enough we all heard an explosion and lots of loud cursing (classy) from the locker room later, and it turns out he dropped it and it shattered all over the changing area floor. A worker gave the man a broom but didn't say anything about why the guy brought a huge glass juice bottle out in the first place. I wouldn't feel safe bringing my kid here if they're so laid back about broken glass on the ground. Not sure what the point is of having a huge rule list taped on the sauna door is when nobody enforces it. People also take super loud phone calls as well despite the no cell-phone sign. Watch your feet if you're in the men's locker room, cause with the rubber mats with holes in them, there's no way they cleaned all the shards out unless they removed the mats and cleaned. And we can all tell from the wet mud stains in between the gaps whether or not this will ever happen... read more

I am so grateful for Daniel's chair yoga class. He sets a tone of peace and tranquility while leading us through much-needed gentle stretches. I sure wish it was offered twice a week! Thanks to the Montecito YMCA for providing an oasis for body, mind, and spirit. read more

Hi my name is Lucy Reyes I am a member of YMCA. I started coming to this Gym since last year. I want to say it is a great place where you can work out and leave your the emotions in there . Specially the weight room. Such a great place . Friendly people , clean bathrooms and lockers . Nice programs for the children, etc. I met Larry no long time ago He is the new maintenance guy . Thank you for worried about us and care about the facility. I hope everything go well in the future . Don't forget the Jacuzzi !!! read more

I'm a member and appreciate the pleasant greeting when I enter. I joined to use the machines that would continue PT work I began in SB. There are plenty of machines available and a clean locker room. I look forward to the future remodel and expansion currently in the works. Oh, and the opportunities provided to donate to the community and the blood drives! I haven't used the pool area or attended classes but may take advantage of those soon and so many children's care activities are provided. Thank you! read more

I just don't understand YMCA is a nationwide company and especially the montecito location. We all pay a great amount for the stair machine to be out of service for so long. Sometimes having to wait is not worth coming here or paying for this membership. The stair machine has been broken forever and all it says it" repair has been requested" BUY A NEW ONE you guys have the money and donations for it. read more

Well for starters. You open at 7 am BUT NO ONE IS THERE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I waited until 740 with others. Seriously bad!!! Then since I joined 2 months ago, 2 machines are broken and they keep saying someone is coming to fix it but..... 2 months later... still broken. . Great location. But that isn't enough. read more

We loved it here! Staff went above and beyond and were so friendly. They are also veteran friendly here :)

I recently joined the Y and so glad I did! Since COVID, I haven't frequented a gym in over 2 years! The first time I came here, I was greeted by the front desk workers and allowed to tour the facility on my own. I went straight to the outdoor pool which was terrific and had 5 lanes for laps. I was so excited to check out the outdoor pool as I have always enjoyed swimming. It's very clean and organized with a lifeguard on duty at all times. There is access to a women's locker room that includes showers, sauna and lockers. There is even a couple blow dryers available for your hair when your getting ready. Oh and one of those machines that spins all the water out of your suit so I'm not carrying around a heavy wet suit is handy too! Bring your own lock so you can feel safe leaving all your valuables while you do your exercising. This place seems very safe and it seems like everyone knows everyone! Since my first day, I've been greeted by familiar faces from employees to the members. I have participated in weekly water aerobics and a yoga class with Katie which I enjoyed very much. It's a very relaxed environment and most recently they have added new classes that are dance based as well as roller skating events. It's really nice that some classes are indoors and some outside depending on the class. It's really nice when I hear " Hi Katherine " at a gym rather than just being another person in a overcrowded gym. They are only Mon-Sat at the moment but hopefully as the Y builds up it's members and staff, they will open up again on Sundays as well. Lastly my membership fee goes towards promoting health and exercise opportunities for children and their families so well worth the investment in my own health as well as others! read more

I love this location. All of the staff are amazing and I've utilized all of the wonderful amenities.

Just joined this gym a couple months ago and I love it! Friendly, welcoming staff. Clean. Not crowded. No creepy people! People are there to workout! The only thing I wish is that they had more variety of cardio machines Weighttraining selection is excellent :) read more

Love the convenience of the gym and super-friendly staff. However, hygiene particularly in the men's locker room needs to improve. Too many boomers comfortable with their nakedness sitting on benches and in sauna with no towels etc. often the sauna literally stinks of ball sweat. It's just a few culprits but they need to be stopped regardless of how long they have been members. I have complained but the problem continues. Beware human papilloma virus in this environment! read more

When I tell my sweetheart I'm going to this YMCA after work, I lovingly refer to it as "going to summer camp." If you go, you'll understand what I mean. Snuggled into a woodsy little pocket of Montecito a good mile away from the freeway, you park in a lot and then traverse a small foot bridge over a bubbling creek which is sometimes filled with the jabbering croaks of frogs. But lest the camp-like exterior belie the quality of getting your sweat on, let me assure you that it is a bona fide gym. Perhaps it is on the small side, but they have everything you need to get a good workout, including a huge fitness room that offers a nice variety of classes (my favorite is Alison's spinning class). They have an excellent locker room which is always super clean and they offer full size lockers in which to store your things, which saves this camper from the pain of crumpled up work clothes. I'd say that's worth a round of "kumbaya." Bonus tip: If, like me, you live in Ventura and work in Santa Barbara, you can join the Ventura Y (which as of this posting does not require an initiation fee) and use the Montecito Y up to 6 times a month free of charge! read more

I can only really speak for the gym. There is not much equipment, the place is a little rundown, and if you are used to a quality gym (i.e. the Santa Barbara/Goleta Spectrum gyms), with new equipment, state-of-the-art fitness classes, and towel service... this isn't the right place for you. The staff is very friendly, and most of the gym-goers are friendly as well... but when I go to a gym, I need to be motivated by the people around me and the equipment/facilities. This gym lacks that quality and ambiance. They do have a nice-sized exercise room. But the staff seems very nice. read more

The Montecito YMCA Preschool is a wonderful experience! The director, teachers and assistants are all exceptionally wonderful with my son. There are three classes (for the different age groups) and the entire preschool staff knows every child in each classroom by name. They are a fantastic team that work well together and truly love working with children. The play time is creative, the education has really prepped my son for kindergarten (next year) and I love the time the kids get to enjoy in the "outdoor classroom." My son loves hamming it up in the school performances. Plus, what other school offers walking field trips and swim lessons? The preschool staff all have an open door policy, which many of the parents take advantage of. I've popped into the director's (Annie Fischer) office several times to ask questions and gain insight and advice on parenting issues. She's always happy to listen and give honest and great feedback. Keep up the good work, Montecito YMCA Preschool! read more

I've been a member for a couple of years now. I love to lap swim and being able to swim in a clean, outdoor pool is important to me. Staff is always friendly, locker rooms are okay. It's in a beautiful location. I've also taken yoga classes in the gym and enjoyed them. Prior to joining I had a membership in a private club that cost over $300 a month for a swim membership. The Montecito Y is a bargain and I can also use my membership at the Santa Barbara Y. That said, I think this facility is geared toward the needs of families with young children and seniors. If you are somewhere in the middle and want a high intensity experience you should look elsewhere. read more

Manager did not properly resolve issue. Also, poor training of employees on instructing members of procedures & rules when canceling their membership. I was not informed that I had to give 30 days notice to cancel my membership when I called the YMCA. After noticing the additional charge on my credit card I called the manager. He did not stand behind what his employee incorrectly told me and refused to credit my card. I will not be donating to this very disappointing YMCA in Montecito. read more

I love the Montecito Y outdoor pool and have been a member for six years. However, I'd like to point out that the Aqua Fit classes since the exit of instructors Kristy and Debbie have been a huge disappointment. The daily classes have been slashed to just three morning classes per week (hope you don't want to exercise in the afternoon). Also, these one hour classes have been reduced to just 45 minutes and members must arrive 45 minutes early just to get a spot, plus stand around in two confusing lines (am I in the deep water line? the shallow water line? did anyone explain this upon check-in? Answer, no!) before the pool gates are opened just seconds before classes begin. Once class is over, the rude lifeguard snarls at people to get out of the pool because he has to get ready for the lap swimmers. Now, I understand the world has changed since Covid, but there is no need for rudeness. How about implementing a system where you reserve the class online the night before, so people don't waste time standing in lines or driving to Montecito, only to discover that the class is full? read more

I'm giving it four stars because I really do love the Y in Montecito. I have worked out there for years, practically grew up there...and now my daughter is in the swim program and she LOVES it! However, I have to say, if it were not for the fabulous instructors and the friendly staff, I would give it a 0 star rating for firing the greatest swim coach that we have ever been blessed to have. The "powers that be" allowed gossip and prejudice to supersede a man's true gifts to the community and our children. This instructor knew just how to get each child to reach and then to exceed their perceived potential, and gently treated each child as an individual, knowing just how best to reach within and pull out greatness. Montecito YMCA, you totally blew it. But, you are lucky that the deck is stacked with other great staff and mentors. Don't blow it again by letting anyone else go, especially under such hazy and circumspect pretenses. read more

My daughter loves the YMCA (and so do I). They have two different outdoor classrooms/playgrounds, and the children enjoy lots of outside time every day. The teachers send email updates about what the kids do each day (which I love, because I get insights into my daughter's day, and because I get much more of a response from my daughter when I ask about specifics, rather than simply asking: "How was your day?" or "What did you do today?"). The pricing and hours are some of the best I've seen (e.g., 7:45am-5:30pm, 5 days per week, for $975/month! Assuming 20 weekdays per month, that comes out to $5/hour). And now they're including a family full facility YMCA membership with full-time preschool enrollment (which YMCA gym and pool membership alone is worth more than $100 per month, and members get discounts on YMCA programs like swim lessons). Amazing! I'm so glad a friend recommended the Montecito YMCA Preschool to me when I was searching for a preschool for my daughter. read more

The Preschool with Miss Annie was fantastic!!! Great hours, outdoor facilities with pool, and the setting was such a great value!

My son who is now 22 still has fond memories of the Y's preschool. It was a lifesaver for me because they would walk him across the street from MUS so I could pick him up any time the rest of the day. We really felt like part of the community. read more

I normally don't write reviews and hate to do a negative one but I am so frustrated. I have been trying to get my daughters in for private swim classes for over 3 weeks now. I keep calling, they keep saying the aquatics director is not in (in a meeting, many excuses) and they will leave a message for her to call me back. Needless to say she never called me back. One man told me I had to come in and fill out forms. I came to fill in the forms and a woman told me it wasn't needed yet but I did it anyway. After SEVEN more phone calls, I finally spoke to the director. She was not apologetic and told me that there are no open spots for privates and there is a wait list of 7 people ahead of me. The best part is she claimed she never got one of the messages that I called and she couldn't locate my paperwork. What a poorly run department! I am taking my business elsewhere. read more

I have been a member on and off since a kid.. great place to workout, not overcrowded so it can feel like a private gym if you go at the right time :) read more