A Romantic California Hideaway Reopens In Montecito

Anyone watching the coverage of the Thomas fire, one of the worst wildfires in California history in December of 2017, followed by the mudslides caused by heavy rains the following month might wonder if the area around Montecito would recover. The affluent community five miles east of Santa Barbara was devastated but an enormous recovery effort was undertaken and one by one, structures have reopened. In April, an area favorite was added to that list when San Ysidro Ranch reopened its doors after a rebuild and complete renovation.

The setting, now back into form, is renowned for its beauty: the 500 acres dotted with oak, eucalyptus, lemon, pepper and jacaranda trees surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains with views of the Pacific Ocean.  Guests enter through a drive flanked by 400 year old olive trees and can stroll the grounds past a lily pond, through an orange grove and gardens filled with jasmine, magnolias, roses and lavender.

The accommodations are in 41 cottages, separated for maximum privacy, shaded by sycamore and oak trees and now redecorated with new furnishings and one of a kind antiques collected by owner Ty Warner on his travels around the world. All cottages have individual décor but share some aspects in common: interiors containing Persian rugs, stone fireplaces and handmade canopy beds. On the outside, all have gated entries, private enclosed gardens and patios with sunken hot tubs. Several also have plunge pools.

Other cottages have additional fame due to the historical figures who have stayed there.  The most famous is the Kennedy Cottage, the 2000 square foot carved stone cottage with a large private deck overlooking the ocean where John and Jackie Kennedy spent their honeymoon in 1953. Second is the Churchill Cottage, the 1450 square foot cottage in which Winston Churchill resided while writing one of his books. Among the décor: a restored 1930’s Art Deco chandelier and among the Churchill artifacts is the original page he signed in the guest book.

Outside of their cottages, guests can hike trails past hot springs and waterfalls, swim in the hilltop heated pool or spend time in the spa. Golfers can also travel the short distance to another of Warner’s properties, the Montecito Club which he reopened in March after a three year renovation and the introduction of a new Jack Nicklaus designed 18 hole course.

Back at San Ysidro, guests also have top culinary options. On the simpler end, they can sample the famous ribs and macaroni and cheese in the more casual of the two restaurants Plow Angel. For more elevated experiences: the rebuilt Wine Cellar with its 12,000 vintages from around the world that have repeatedly placed the resort on Wine Spectator’s Grand Award list and The Stonehouse, the gastronomic restaurant located in a 19^th century citrus packing house with creekside views and an ocean view deck.

Or, as many guests choose to do, settle in on their cottage’s deck and order in.