Award-Winning Financial Advisors Serving
Santa Barbara & Los Angeles
Fiduciary Wealth Management
Montecito Capital Management has been dedicated to providing fiduciary, client-first wealth management since 2004, and the firm’s founder, Kip Lytel, CFA, has been an author, speaker, and industry leader on financial topics for over two decades. Our award-winning Registered Investment Advisory firm partners with clients to steward wealth through its most critical phases — building, preserving, and distributing capital with clarity and discipline.
Through thoughtful risk management, deep asset-class expertise, and disciplined investment selection from a leading thought-leader in modern finance, we build strategies designed to solve many of today’s most significant headline challenges. You receive the best of both worlds: a high-touch, boutique advisory relationship enhanced by the institutional strength and advanced resources of Charles Schwab’s RIA Group. Beyond portfolio construction, we provide ongoing, proactive financial advisory guidance across life, business, and wealth affairs to ensure your strategy evolves as your circumstances and priorities change.
We focus on more than assets. We help clients pursue financial confidence, preserve what they have built, and align their wealth with the life they want to live.
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence
Our Experience
Our experience spans investment management, retirement income planning, financial advisory services, portfolio strategy, and customised planning for individuals, families, and business owners.
We support clients through market changes, major life decisions, business transitions, and long-term wealth planning, where clarity and discipline are essential.
Our Principles
Fiduciary Focus
Transparency
Personalized Strategy
Active Communication
Long-Term Partnership
Client Alignment
Disciplined Process
Trusted Guidance
Financial Guidance & Wealth Oversight
We help individuals and families make confident financial decisions with clear, structured advice.
Our focus is on long-term growth, disciplined planning, and strategies tailored to your goals.
Financial Advisory Services
Professional financial guidance tailored to your goals, helping you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
Retirement Planning
Portfolio Management
Custom Financial Planning
Business & Wealth Strategy
Core Areas of Expertise
Investment & Portfolio Management
Disciplined portfolio construction, asset allocation, and ongoing management across public and private markets.
Financial Planning & Cash Flow Strategy
Comprehensive financial planning, including budgeting, cash flow analysis, and long-term scenario modeling.
Retirement & Income Planning
Design and management of sustainable retirement income strategies aligned with client objectives.
Tax Strategy & Optimization
Tax-efficient investing and coordination with broader tax planning considerations to enhance after-tax outcomes.
Estate, Legacy & Philanthropy Planning
Estate structuring, wealth transfer strategies, and philanthropic planning aligned with client values and legacy goals.
Private Assets & Complex Holdings
Oversight and strategic guidance across real estate, private investments, business interests, and other non-public assets.
Why Clients Choose Us ?
Award-Winning Firm
Industry recognition for successfully guiding client financial journeys. We go “above & beyond” for clients!
Expertise & Experience
Decades of developed experience, rigorous training, and deep academic mastery in wealth management.
Independent Advice
As Fiduciary advisors, we have put our clients’ best interests first – unbiased, objective & integrity-driven.
Asset Safety
All client assets are held in custody at Charles Schwab with full transparency & protection. Clients retain complete ownership of their investments with 3rd party reporting & 24/7 access.
Boutique Strength
You’re more than an account. Our more intimate and attentive structure is by design, enabling personalized client focus. Hands-on boutique care, powered by Schwab’s scale, resources and extensive capabilities.
Personalized Strategies
Every plan is designed around your goals, not a one-size-fits-all model. This includes tailoring portfolios, budgets, estate, tax and adjustments for life changes so your financial plan truly reflects your needs and priorities.
Low Market Rate Fees & Transparent Process
Clear communication, no hidden fees, step-by-step process, & clarity on risk-adjusted return goals. Our fee rate schedule is not only roughly 30% below prevailing industry levels, it is also structured to decline as assets grow.
Recognized Wealth Management Leadership
10 Most Dependable Wealth Managers for Southern California
A clean home-page recognition block designed to build immediate trust without breaking the premium Montecito visual style.
Know MoreTrusted Guidance for Long-Term Financial Success
Every client has a different financial picture, but the need for clear advice, disciplined planning, and dependable support remains the same. Montecito Capital Management provides fiduciary wealth management designed to help clients move forward with confidence.
Posted on Google Laura nolanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our family has worked with this financial advisory firm for several years, and the experience has been outstanding. They take the time to truly understand our goals and explain everything clearly, without jargon. Their guidance has helped us feel confident about our investments and long-term plans. Highly recommend them for anyone looking for trustworthy, personalized financial advice.Posted on Google Jennifer ObrienTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've worked with my advisor for several years now and the difference in my financial confidence is night and today . They take the time to understand my long term goals explain strategies clearly and consistently follow through from investment management to financial plan and estate coordination kip has brought structure and clarity to every part of my financial picture. I've never felt rushed or sold to just genuinely advised. Highly RecommendedPosted on Google Frank GeivelisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used to feel scared tax season and wasn't sure whether my investments were even working for me. The advisor looked at everything found costs didn't know i was paying and cganged my portfolio so that it was based on long term goals instead of short term trends. What i liked best was how they kept teaching me as we went along. Clarifying each choice until it made sense. For the first time in years i feel like i have everything togather am sure of my self and am in chargePosted on Google Leslie GulliksonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kip is highly qualified, knowledgeable and responsive. It's reassuring to wealth advisor I have confidence in.Posted on Google Mark WilsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very hands-on, knowledgeable and well-thought out investment (& retirement) planning. The fees are fair, and lower than the others advisors I met during my vetting process. I like that Kip Lytel, my advisor, is always very responsive and actively tracks economic data, earnings, stocks, bonds, valuations, politics and everything that might impact my portfolio. Happy with results!Posted on Google Paul TurnerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An overall amazing advisory firm.Posted on Google Josie PughTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Outstanding advisory experience. Very patient, good returns overall and helps with my other asset decisions.Posted on Google Daniel ElliotTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Truly excellent investment advisory services. Kipley and the team have an incredible depth of knowledge, and it shows not only in their performance, but in their frequent articles and newsletters, and their clear, understandable responses to questions. I've never been anything less than satisfied.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more