Lost something in Montecito? Here is who to contact.
One report and we route it to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Santa Barbara Police Department, local lost and found offices, and active community channels. Your report stays active, so you can focus on what matters.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost Works
You report the loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details that matter most to the right authorities and channels.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, local law enforcement, relevant lost and found offices, and community networks in your area.
Your report keeps searching for a match
For 12 months, your report stays active and cross-references new found items, marketplace posts, and community alerts. You get notified the moment a credible match appears, so you don't have to check every site yourself.
Where to Report in Montecito
Local resources to report your loss, or let us route it for you.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
For items lost in unincorporated Montecito, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff handles reports. You can file a report over the phone during business hours. We identify which precinct covers your location and draft the exact information to include in your report.
Santa Barbara City Resources
While Montecito is unincorporated, Santa Barbara's central lost and found office and police department handle items from nearby areas and may assist with cross-reporting. City Hall and the Harbor Patrol lost and found are open Monday through Thursday, and select Fridays.
Lost Pet Reports
If you've lost a cat or dog in Montecito, contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services right away. Check the Santa Barbara Humane Society's stray database, post to local pet networks, and leave a report with both animal control and the county shelter. Time matters for pets. Ready to file a formal lost pet report with community reach? File a priority lost pet report.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
If you lost something at Santa Barbara Airport, contact the Security Operations office or airport administration. Items are held for a set period, so call promptly. For items lost on an airplane itself, contact your airline directly.
UCSB Police Lost & Found
Lost something on the UC Santa Barbara campus or in Isla Vista? UCSB Police maintains a dedicated lost and found office and can help identify exactly where your item was last seen.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
The sooner you report, the better.
Reporting within the first few days increases the chances someone has turned in your item or seen it. Once you submit your report to ReportLost, our team routes it to all the right places and your search continues automatically, 24/7.
Report my lost item →Montecito is a close-knit community nestled in the Santa Barbara foothills, but losing something here can still mean navigating multiple law enforcement jurisdictions, animal services, local shops, and online groups. A wallet left at a restaurant, a ring lost on a hike, a beloved pet missing in the Oak Valley area, or a phone forgotten in transit, each requires reporting to different offices with different procedures, hours, and retention policies. That's where things get complicated, and fast.
ReportLost simplifies the process by doing the routing for you. One submission, and your report reaches the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Santa Barbara Police Department, local lost and found departments, and relevant community networks all at once. And unlike filing a report and hoping, your report keeps searching for a match automatically. We cross-reference new found items, social posts, and marketplace listings against your description for your entire search period, so you're not left manually checking Facebook groups or calling around every week.
Common areas where items are lost in Montecito
Whether on a hiking trail, at a local hotspot, or in transit between neighborhoods, here's where losses happen most.
Upper Village and Shopping District
Wallet, purse, or phone lost at restaurants, shops, and cafes along the main drag. Often turned in to management within hours.
Hiking Trails and Oak Woodland
Rings, bracelets, phones, and keys frequently lost on popular hiking routes. Report quickly, as trails are retraced by other hikers.
Montecito Community and Civic Areas
Items left at community centers, parks, and gathering spots. Check with venue management and file a report to catch items before they're discarded.
Transit and Parking Lots
Keys, phones, and wallets left in cars or on public transit routes. Contact local police and any relevant bus or shuttle services.
Community networks and social channels
Montecito locals post found items and recovery updates across several platforms. We notify these communities on your behalf.
Facebook group for local lost and found posts, especially active after local events and during peak seasons.
Dedicated Facebook community for reuniting lost and found pets across Santa Barbara County.
Another active Facebook resource with photo updates and shelter check-ins for missing animals.
Subreddit where community members post found items and lost pet alerts for the broader Santa Barbara area.
Frequently asked questions
How long do items get held at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office or police lost and found?
Most municipal and county offices hold items for 30 to 90 days before disposal. Call the Sheriff's Office at (805) 683-2724 to confirm your item's status. That's why filing your report early matters, and why ReportLost keeps your report active for up to 12 months, even if an office no longer holds the physical item.
What if I lost something at UCSB or in Isla Vista?
Contact UCSB Police Lost and Found at (805) 893-3843 or lost.found@police.ucsb.edu. They handle items found on campus and in the immediate area. ReportLost routes your report to them as well, so you have one place to manage your search.
Can I report a lost item if I'm not sure which jurisdiction lost it?
Yes. Tell us where you were when you last had the item, and we'll identify the right precinct or office. For Montecito residents, that's typically the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, but we cross-check location to be sure.
What happens to my report after 12 months?
Your report stays active and searchable throughout your chosen period. If a matching item is found after that window, you're no longer notified. But during your active period, we're continuously matching your description against new found items, marketplace posts, and community alerts, so there's no action required on your part.
Is ReportLost.org official or does it replace filing a report with the police?
ReportLost is an independent service; we're not part of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office or any government agency. We streamline the process by routing your report to the right official channels (police, lost and found offices, and community networks) and keeping your report active during your search period. You're not bypassing the authorities, you're just saving time and effort in the routing and follow-up.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Report it here.
Every moment counts, especially in the first few days. Report your loss now, and let us take care of routing it to the right places while your report keeps searching automatically.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Santa Barbara Police Department, UCSB Police, Santa Barbara Humane Society, or any other official agency or business mentioned on this page. We route your report to these organizations on your behalf, but filing with ReportLost does not replace filing a formal police report if required. Always contact local authorities directly for emergencies or to file an official report.