San Ysidro Ranch is the secluded, romantic end of the Santa Barbara hotel spectrum, a foothills retreat above Montecito where the guest rooms are cottage-style hideaways scattered through gardens rather than corridors in a single building. It is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and was remodeled in 2019, and the range of room types reflects its emphasis on privacy: Romantic Garden Hideaways, Romantic Ocean View Hideaways and Romantic Canyon Hideaways, each with a king bed. Guest reviews describe private outdoor showers and jacuzzis in the cottages, and the rooms include turndown service, premium bedding, slippers, blackout drapes and 24-hour room service. There are two on-site restaurants with ocean views serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, and a continental breakfast is included. An outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, a spa offering hot stone massage and a hair salon complete the offering, and the garden, library and gift shop add to the sense of a private estate. Hiking is available straight from the property on the San Ysidro trail.
The setting is the draw. The ranch sits at 900 San Ysidro Lane in the mountains above Montecito, near the beach but removed from it, about seven minutes by car from the Santa Barbara Zoo. That position gives you the best of both worlds: the quiet, cool air and trails of the foothills, and access to Butterfly Beach, Coast Village Road and the Funk Zone by a short drive.
It is not a hotel for people who want to walk to nightlife. It is a hotel for people who want to stay in, take a trail in the morning, and have dinner on the property.
The practical details
Parking is free for self-parking, with valet available for a surcharge. Dogs are allowed, with a per-stay pet fee, and service animals are exempt. The property describes itself as family friendly, and babysitting and express check-in or check-out are offered, with surcharges for some services. Because the number of cottages is limited, book well ahead for weekends and holidays, and ask which hideaway type suits your trip: garden for seclusion, ocean view for scenery, canyon for larger parties, since the canyon hideaways sleep three.
Who it suits
Honeymooners, anniversary couples and anyone who wants a retreat rather than a resort, along with hikers who like to start the day on a trail. It is among the most expensive places to stay in the area, so treat it as the centerpiece of a trip, and plan to spend more time at the ranch than out sightseeing.
If you want a beachfront setting, the Rosewood Miramar is the better match, and if you want to be near State Street, a downtown hotel is more convenient. For quiet, privacy and a sense of occasion, San Ysidro Ranch stands apart.
Why stay here
- ✓Garden, ocean-view and canyon hideaways
- ✓Two restaurants with ocean views
- ✓Continental breakfast included
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Spa with hot stone massage
- ✓Hiking from the property
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Dogs welcome
Good questions
Where is San Ysidro Ranch?+
At 900 San Ysidro Lane in the Montecito foothills, about seven minutes by car from the Santa Barbara Zoo.
What room types are there?+
Romantic Garden, Ocean View and Canyon Hideaways. All have a king bed, and the canyon type sleeps three.
Are dogs allowed?+
Yes, with a per-stay pet fee. Service animals are exempt.
