Bellosguardo is one of the most intriguing house museums in California, and it is still opening its doors in stages. The beachfront estate belonged to the Clark family, and its last owner, Huguette Clark, held it until her death in 2011; visitors who know the book Empty Mansions will recognize the story of a wealthy, reclusive heiress who, reviewers note, had not visited the house since 1953. Today it is owned by the nonprofit Bellosguardo Foundation, which is restoring the property and offering small, docent-led tours. Groups are small, with about ten people mentioned by visitors, and a tour lasts roughly an hour and three quarters to two hours, covering the first floor, the grounds and gardens and the ocean and mountain views. Visitors praise the craftsmanship and the preservation of the rooms, and one reviewer notes that some rooms were moved from the Clarks' former New York mansion. They also mention Huguette's studio, where she painted. It is the opposite of a polished, commercial attraction: it is a real house, partly restored, with a story that is part history, part mystery.
What to expect
Only a portion of the estate is open. The kitchen, the garage, which reportedly holds a vintage car collection including a Chrysler V16, and the basement are not yet part of the tour, and reviewers hope more will open as restoration continues. Interior photography is not allowed, so plan to absorb the rooms rather than document them. Guest restrooms are available on site, and visitors suggest more benches in the garden would help, so wear comfortable shoes and expect to be on your feet.
Doing it well
The main challenge is getting a ticket. The foundation says tickets are released by email every few months and usually sell out quickly, so sign up on the Visit page to join the list and book as soon as an announcement arrives. There is no pedestrian access: only on-site parking and shuttle service are allowed, and parking at East Beach or along Cabrillo Boulevard and walking up is not an option, so follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation.
Leave large bags and cameras in your car, and arrive on time, since tours run in small groups. Dress comfortably, with a layer for the coastal breeze.
Fitting it into a trip
Because dates are limited and tickets scarce, plan your visit around the tour rather than the other way around, and treat any other plans as flexible. It pairs naturally with Casa del Herrero, another Santa Barbara estate that rewards history and design lovers, and with a walk on the beach path or a stop at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For readers of Empty Mansions it is a must, and for anyone interested in American Gilded Age wealth, architecture and philanthropy, it is one of the most atmospheric tours in the region.
The foundation also hosts concerts and holiday open houses, so check its calendar. Because the estate is still being restored, expect the visit to evolve from season to season, with new rooms or programs added over time, so repeat visits can offer something new, and it is worth checking the foundation's website for special events that sometimes open the property in different ways.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group, docent-led tour of the first floor, grounds and gardens of the Clark family's Bellosguardo estate, lasting roughly 90 minutes to two hours.
Best time
Whenever you can secure a ticket; tickets are released by email every few months and sell out quickly.
How long
Roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Tips
Sign up for ticket announcements on the estate's website. Only on-site parking and shuttle service are allowed. Interior photography is not permitted; leave large bags and cameras in the car.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History, architecture and Empty Mansions readers who want a rare glimpse inside a private estate.
- Families
- Best for older children and teens with an interest in history; check the foundation's guidance on ages.
- Couples
- An atmospheric afternoon of period rooms and ocean-view gardens.
- Pair with
- Casa del Herrero, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and East Beach.
- Time needed
- Two hours plus arrival time.
Good questions
How do I get tickets to Bellosguardo?+
Tickets are released by email every few months and usually sell out quickly. Sign up for announcements on the estate's Visit page.
How long is the tour?+
Visitors report about 90 minutes to two hours, in small groups of around ten people, mostly on the first floor and in the grounds.
Can I walk or park nearby?+
No. Pedestrian access is not offered; only on-site parking and shuttle service are allowed, so follow the instructions in your confirmation.
Can I take photographs?+
Not inside the house. Leave large bags and cameras in your car; the grounds and views are the highlight outdoors.
Who was Huguette Clark?+
The last private owner of the estate, a reclusive heiress who held it until her death in 2011. Her story is told in the book Empty Mansions.
