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5 Iconic Santa Barbara Estates

June 16, 2020

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FROM ITS GAVIOTA COAST TO MONTECITO AND CARPINTERIA, THE SANTA BARBARA AREA IS A MECCA OF BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC ESTATES

Lotusland, one of the 10 best estates in Santa Barbara

Courtesy of Lotusland

Santa Barbara has long been synonymous with gracious living: its hillsides and beaches home to some of the grandest estates in the country. As a Santa Barbara area resident and Realtor for more than three decades, I’ve been privileged to tour and learn about a significant number of these iconic Santa Barbara estates. Although it’s difficult to choose just five of them to offer here, nonetheless, following is a representation of my favorites:

LotusLand

Pictured at the top of this blog post is the amazing Montecito property purchased in 1941 by Madame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and socialite. She spent the next 43 years of her life creating what we now know of as Lotusland. Today, her creation is recognized as one of the 10 best gardens in the world. Featuring a spectacular collection of exotic plants, the 37-acre property is a personal expression of Walska’s penchant for the dramatic, unexpected, and whimsical. When you visit, expect a surprise around every corner in the form of the extraordinary collection of plants. After her death in 1984, Lotusland became a nonprofit botanic garden that opened to the public in 1993. Lotusland’s educational programs serve the Santa Barbara community and the property’s innovative horticultural practices are shared with botanic gardens and garden-lovers around the world. Visit Wednesday through Saturday by reservation only. Call (805) 969-9990.

The library of the historic Clark estate in Montecito

The library at Bellosguardo, the Clark summer home in Santa Barbara, c. 1940. Karl Obert / EmptyMansionsBook.com

Bellosguardo, the Clark Estate

For more than sixty years, Bellosguardo has remained shrouded in mystery. The twenty-four-acre, lavish Italianate villa that sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific is known as one of the least-visited and most whispered-about landmarks on the California coast.

The estate’s library has hundreds of bound leather volumes including works by Dante, Goethe, Homer, Virgil, Maupassant, Dickens, Tennyson, Thackeray, Voltaire, Faust, Milton, Cervantes, and Conrad. Although no one from the immediate family has visited since the early 1950s, the houseman dusts and turns the books periodically.

Originally built in 1937 by Anna Clark, widow of copper king Senator William Andrews Clark, the estate was inherited by their daughter, Huguette, who owned the estate until her death at age 104. Today, Bellosguardo stands just as Huguette left it many years ago: perfectly maintained and protected, now by the Bellosguardo Foundation. Dedicated to honoring the Clarks’ past, the property was transformed into a center for art and culture in Santa Barbara and beyond. Get inspired by this video tour of the estate that has been frozen in time.

The entrance of Rancho Dos Pueblos, one of the most important oceanfront ranches along the spectacular California coast

Courtesy of Rancho Dos Pueblos

Rancho Dos Pueblos

Known for being one of the most important oceanfront ranches along the spectacular California coast, Rancho Dos Pueblos is steeped in rich history. This treasure, built in the 1920s, is a perfect example of California Spanish style architecture. According to historians, this is the exact spot where Santa Barbara was first discovered by the Chumash Indians, who made the bluffs on either side of the canyon their home.

At the present time, the property is a working ranch growing both avocados and an exotic fruit called Cherimoya. The property is currently available for weddings and events, utilizing the many buildings on the Spanish-style compound, including 9 guest and employee residences, several barns and other support structures as well as a unique abalone aquaculture operation featuring a permitted recirculating water pipeline to the Pacific Ocean. Many of the old buildings dating back to the turn of the century are still in existence.

Added to all that is the fact that the estate is situated above an incredible private sandy beach rivaling most of the county and state beaches. With its incomparable beauty and privacy, sprawling across 2,190 acres along the spectacular Gaviota Coast, as Santa Barbara estates go, there is no other property like this anywhere in the region, and maybe even the world.

Austin Val Verde: A Montecito Masterpiece Hardcover Book Cover

Austin Val Verde: A Montecito Masterpiece

The Austin Val Verde Estate

Also known as the Wright Ludington House, The Austin Val Verde Estate is so impressive that there is a book dedicated to it. Built in 1918 of hollow clay tile, covered with a red-tiled hipped roof, all arranged around an open courtyard patio -- this historic property received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Designed by architect Bertram G. Goodhue for fellow New Yorker Henry Dater Jr., the Val Verde Estate is famous as much for its beautiful gardens as for its centerpiece: the elegant Italianate mansion. The property was bought by Charles Ludington in 1925 and inherited by his son Wright S. Ludington a few years later. Celebrated architect Lockwood de Forest added landscaping, cottages, garages, an undulating wall, and a Spanish fountain around 1926.

This architectural and horticulture treasure features 185 species of plants that are culturally or scientifically significant, including three plum trees from the garden of the Shah of Iran and one of the last oak trees of its kind from the Guanajuato region of Mexico. You can also find watercress in the creek, a species exclusive to the royal family that could only have been a gift from the Duke of Windsor.

The poolhouse at Arcady in MOntecito

By Smithsonian Institution from United States - Arcady [slide], No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/...

"Arcady" a.k.a. George Owen Knapp house

Situated on a hill with spectacular 180-degree views of both the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, “Arcady,” the spectacular estate of wealthy early 20th-century industrialist and philanthropist George Owen Knapp, was easily one of Montecito’s most notable properties. Knapp purchased the 70-acre Arcady estate in Montecito from Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead in 1911 and immediately got busy expanding the already huge estate and its residence. He retained E. Russell Ray as the architect.

Behind Arcady, Knapp described "[soaring] sudden mountains, sheltering closely here the coast, their slopes etched in vertical patterns by a thousand watercourses and outcroppings."

Knapp was a lover of the great outdoors and made sure the residence included numerous French doors opening onto expansive decks and terraces. In fact, Arcady was revered, for its expansive gardens, sprawling lawns, and extravagant water features, including an enormous swimming pool within its own stylish pool house. The gardens were designed by the renowned Carleton Winslow and Francis T. Underhill, and were so spectacular that members of The Garden Club of America took a train from the east coast to see it for themselves in 1926. You can find a plethora of amazing images online.


There are many other amazing properties that could easily be added to this list of the 5 best Santa Barbara estates; some listed for sale on my comprehensive website. See something you like? Just call me at (805) 879-5000 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com.





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“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

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“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

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- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

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“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch