Nestled in the hills above Montecito, this 500-acre luxury oasis boasts individually decorated cottages, exquisite dining, and a world-class spa for a romantic getaway.
"Spread across 550 lush acres, San Ysidro Ranch is one of Montecito’s oldest retreats with celeb credentials, including Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier's marriage and Winston Churchill's winter vacations." - Sheila Yasmin Marikar
"It might seem like a miss to go to Santa Barbara and not stay close to the shore, but the moment you make the turn inland onto San Ysidro Road, you realize that being here isn’t about visiting Santa Barbara; it’s about visiting the ranch. Just 38 cottages, each with their own unique layout, decor, and view, are spread out over 550 acres, but rather than being scattered, they form a ring within the property. At the resort’s center is a collection of gardens as well as a rectangular- pool that overlooks the canyon. Some of the curated finds you’ll see throughout are museum-quality art, antiques sourced from billionaire owner Ty Warner’s world travels, and handmade wallpapers (even on the ceilings of the showers). But San Ysidro Ranch isn’t your typical hotel—as its history of having legendary guests like Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, who honeymooned here, or John Huston, who finished writing the screenplay for The African Queen on the property, can attest. And the ranch continues its legacy as a celebrity refuge, as modern-day A-listers use this tucked-away spot to truly hide out and escape—which is what you should do too. From $2,495. —Samantha Brooks" - CNT Editors
"San Ysidro Ranch is a perennial favorite for T+L readers, who consistently vote it among the best resorts in California and the United States in our annual World's Best Awards. The resort is a true haven for travelers seeking the utmost in privacy and pampering. Here, visitors arrive through the tree-lined drive and are met with lush gardens, including olive trees that are hundreds of years old. All its individual cottages offer a home-away-from-home feeling, with private patios, fire places, and four-poster beds to give just the right touch of romance." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Though best known as a top romantic retreat in the US, this 550-acre, celeb-frequented hideaway is also famed for its pet-friendly ethos. Dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes are welcomed guests in the bucolic cottages at San Ysidro Ranch and can even reserve massages at the spa. Through the Pampered Pet Program, dogs can look forward to a custom baked dog bone, plush bedding, a Ty beanie dog toy (a nod to ranch owner and Beanie Baby creator, Ty Warner), and even a dedicated in-room dining menu (The peanut butter and bacon pancakes are a favorite). Meanwhile, feline friends will receive a Ty beanie cat toy, a scratcher with catnip, a water fountain with San Benedetto Artesian Water, and a feather teaser toy. Many of the 38 accommodations feature tricked-out private yards for outdoor lounging with Fido, plus plunge pools and hammocks for human counterparts. The greater manicured grounds are idyllic for longer ambles. Heated outdoor seating at acclaimed restaurants, The Stonehouse and Veranda, means pets can join in at mealtimes, too. You’ll find hiking trails abound in the surrounding hills, rich in breathtaking views of Montecito’s windswept coastline. What’s more? Most Santa Barbara wineries welcome dogs—just ask the concierge which ones. Fees & more: $150 per stay. Dogs and cats are welcome. No weight or breed restrictions." - Paul Rubio
"What’s to love: The pinnacle of US romantic retreats, this history-steeped, 550-acre hideaway overlooking the scenic coast of Montecito has hosted the who’s who of high society, world politics, and Hollywood over the decades, including honeymooners John and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1953. Today, San Ysidro Ranch stands as a comprehensive study in ultra-luxury—past and present—where cascading gardens, bucolic vine-cloaked cottages, and detail-focused staff set the stage for timeless love stories. Each of the 38 accommodations is individually decorated, featuring hand-selected antique furnishings, original artwork, handmade four-poster canopy beds, and sublime soaking tubs (Most cottages also flaunt private patios with plunge pools, oversized hammocks, and dining areas.) Manicured grounds are strewn with olive and oak groves, lavender fields, lemon pergolas, and rose gardens, framing pathways that reach coveted creature comforts like a heated hillside pool, a full-service spa, award-winning restaurant, The Stonehouse, and under-the-radar celeb hangout, The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel. Romance factor: Enjoy a private, candle-lit dinner in the property’s most historic space, a bona fide old adobe cottage dating to 1825, choosing from the same sublime farm-and ocean-to-table menu of The Stonehouse (The Santa Barbara diver-caught sea urchin, pan-seared Santa Barbara abalone with housemade squid ink capellini, and line-caught English Channel Dover sole are three must-tries.) Organize a tasting in the Secret Cellar, tucked behind the 12,000+ bottles of the Ranch’s principal underground wine cellar, and sip away as a designated sommelier guides you through flights of fine French and local wines. Venture off-property for rewarding hikes and pursuits in Santa Barbara wine country. Get there: A 90-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport" - Paul Rubio
