Santa Barbara is a place I’ve been wanting to visit for years, it seemed every time I spoke to someone who had visited they only had wonderful things to say about America’s Riviera. I’ve never heard anyone say that Santa Barbara didn’t suit them well.

Finally a few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to see first hand why savvy travelers, Hollywood elite, political icons and creative types have all flocked to this scenic part of California, more specifically San Ysidro Ranch, perched on the Montecito foothills. This gorgeous resort is truly meant to give you a feeling of being at home in your very own cottage nestled at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Upon entering the property you immediately feel a sense of history and tradition in the air, as you drive through the entrance way lined in olive trees and lavender.

San Ysidro Ranch, formally a citrus farm, officially opened in 1892 and by 1912 had gained enough esteem to entice British politician Winston Churchill to pay a visit. Churchill romanticized his stay in these poetic words: “The mountains, scored by deep canyons, rise up behind, for all the world like grand-opera scenery idealized, and far below, across the green plains of Montecito, one sees the white line of the beach and the Pacific stretching westward to blue islands shimmering in the haze.” In no time at all it became a retreat for Hollywood royalty such as Audrey Hepburn, Groucho Marx, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, (the list goes on!) and most famously was the idyllic honeymoon setting for John and Jackie Kennedy in 1953, as depicted in the vintage photos on display of the presidential couple and other celebrated guests throughout the years.

If you don’t get the chance to stay here, you should at least make a visit to dine at one of the two restaurants on the property, The Stonehouse and Plow & Angel, then take a walk around the picturesque grounds and go back in time. Sit in the chefs organic garden and watch as the hummingbirds zip around the fig trees. This was my first encounter with hummingbirds and I instantly became fascinated by them, half bug/half bird— there wings flapped so rapidly that It was almost an optical allusion to see them fluttering in place — as if they were levitating. Then down by the hacienda take a romantic stroll through the rose garden where film stars Viven Leigh and Laurence Olivier were married during a midnight ceremony.

I now understand the draw of serenity, natural beauty and causal low-key ambiance that is San Ysidro Ranch. As you could imagine, modern day Hollywood starlets choose this oasis for its discretion and extreme privacy, as the mountains keep helicopters, drones and paparazzi at bay.

You may be wondering which cottage we stayed in -A small fender bender occurred as we were checking in, the room service vehicle slammed into the side of our parked G Wagon, which caused the hotel manager to snap into action and immediately upgraded us to The Gardenia Cottage (pictured above.) Not the worst reward for a fender bender ever! This cottage is mentioned on Andrew Harper’s review of the Ranch as one of the most romantic on the property. The hotel management did a wonderful job of creating a soothing/caring environment after the accident, which did not go unnoticed and unappreciated. Thank you SYR for an unforgettable weekend!! I will not soon forget the scent of rosemary, lavender and roses in the crisp morning dew.

Vintage Button-Down Maxi Dress from What Goes Around Comes Around NYC;

Vintage Floral Scarf acquired at an Estate Sale 

White Floral Swim Cap by Shan

White Polka Dot Playsuit by Zimmermann

 Vintage Pink Cover Up by Roy Rogers for Emilio Pucci.

Photos by Sam & Peter