Discover "Palacio del Rio," a remarkable historic gentleman’s ranch nestled in a grove of 100-year-old Redwoods, overlooking the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. This Spanish-style estate, constructed between 1929 and 1938 by esteemed Santa Barbara architect Joseph Plunkett, was originally built for John J. (Jack) Mitchell Jr. and his first wife, Lolita Armour. The property, named "Juan y Lolita Ranchero" after their Christian names, showcases a rich blend of history and elegance. Mitchell, a former wartime pilot, went on to establish an aviation company that evolved into United Airlines. In his ..read more

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have made headlines again with their recent real estate moves in Montecito. The celebrity duo has reacquired 319 San Ysidro Road, an elegantly rebuilt 1919 estate on eight acres, which they had initially sold earlier this year. After purchasing the property in June 2023 for $22.5 million, they gave it a glamorous makeover and sold it to mining magnate Robert Friedland and his wife, Darlene, in February for $32 million. In addition to this, DeGeneres and de Rossi recently purchased 289 San Ysidro Road, a 3.15-acre vacant lot adjacent to 319, giving the prop ..read more

The San Ysidro Ranch, located high in the Montecito hills, is today one of the area’s most exclusive resorts. It boasts a history that may be traced back to the earliest days of Santa Barbara. The ranch was named after Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers. He was born into a poor family in 1070, and he and his wife became devout Christians after losing a child at birth. Isidore attended church daily, which often delayed his arrival in the fields. The story goes that he was never punished for his tardiness, for angels were often seen helping him with his chores. Isidore was also credited ..read more

The Loberos story began in the 1840s, when a young Italian trombone player named Giuseppe Lobero arrived in San Francisco to take part in the Gold Rush. “Things must not have worked out exactly as he’d hoped, because by the 1850s, Lobero had moved down to Santa Barbara, where he opened a saloon and changed his first name to José. Lobero’s true love was Italian opera, and with the financial help of Colonel William Hollister, Lobero converted an old adobe schoolhouse on the corner of Canon Perdido and Anacapa streets into California’s only opera house south of San Francisco. “In the years after ..read more

Plaza Rubio, which faces the rose garden of Mission Historical Park, is a small-scale example of early urban planning. The seven homes were designed in the mid-1920s by Mary Craig as a unit, built to stylistically complement the imposing architecture of the Old Mission. The street is named after a prominent member of the mission’s Franciscan community, Father José María de Jesús González Rubio. González Rubio was a guiding presence at Santa Barbara Mission from 1842 until his death in 1875, and he played an important role in the shifting fortunes of the order and of the missions in Californi ..read more

Discover the charming California home of actor Billy Baldwin and singer Chynna Phillips, now on the market for $3.8 million. Nestled in Santa Barbara's Mission Canyon neighborhood, this Craftsman-style retreat promises serene living amid nature's beauty. Three years ago, Billy Baldwin and Chynna Phillips found their slice of heaven in Santa Barbara, purchasing this tranquil property for $2.9 million. After a year-long rental stint, during which it commanded up to $18,000 per month, the couple is ready to pass on this meticulously remodeled gem, now listed at an enticing price point. Located ..read more

The national conversation around real estate commissions reached a crescendo since the National Association of REALTORS® announced a settlement agreement that would resolve litigation brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions. Brokers and agents have their own questions about what comes next for their businesses, while at the same time trying to answer consumer inquiries. And many headlines aren’t separating fact from fiction, feeding misinformation to you and your clients. Let’s clear the air: There’s no doubt the litigation—including copycat lawsuits that were filed a ..read more

Take a glimpse into the luxurious world of Hollywood actor Josh Brolin, known for his roles in "Avengers: Endgame" and beyond. Brolin recently acquired an elegant Montecito estate, offering a serene retreat nestled in the foothills of the San Ysidro mountains. This 2.8-acre compound, purchased by Josh Brolin for $6,750,000 million, exudes understated elegance and sophistication. The property harbors a charming East Coast traditional-style house, originally built in the 1930s, complemented by enchanting outdoor amenities. The sprawling single-story residence spans nearly 6,000 square feet ..read more

Architect Robin Donaldson once remarked, "This isn’t the only Hill House out there," and indeed, he was onto something. From the Scottish Highlands to the deserts of Arizona, the title has graced historic homes, most famously in Shirley Jackson's Gothic masterpiece, The Haunting of Hill House. But fear not, for the Hill House nestled in Montecito, California, crafted by the renowned Southern California-based Donaldson + Partners, is far from eerie. Instead, it's a 10,720-square-foot marvel, brimming with whimsical secrets waiting to be uncovered. Designed for art collectors Bruce Heavin and ..read more

by Walker A. Tompkins Samarkand meant “the land of heart’s desire” in the archaic Persian tongue. It identified the fabulous Asian city where a Mythical Queen Scheherazade spent her 1001 Arabian nights. In Santa Barbara, the melodic oriental name was first-applied in 1920 to a deluxe Persian style hotel, formerly a boy’s school. As the dominating landmark of a hilly elevated neighborhood. The Samarkand gave its name to an area bounded on the east by Oak Park, on the north by Hollister Avenue (now De la Vina Street), on the west by a ranch boundary fence centered on modern Las Positas road, an ..read more