San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
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About
#6 of 55 hotels in Santa Barbara
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.7
Value
4.0
Travelers' Choice
San Ysidro Ranch has a historical guest list: Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill, Sinclair Lewis, and John Houston, who finished writing the screenplay for The African Queen while in residence. Lawrence Olivier and Vivian Leigh exchanged midnight wedding vows on the grounds, and Camelot began here with John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooning in the cottage that now bears their name.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Restaurant
Bicycle rental
Hiking
Babysitting
Electric vehicle charging station
Parking
Wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Fence around pool
Yoga classes
Sauna
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Board games / puzzles
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Car hire
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Massage
Concierge
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Butler service
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Shoeshine
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room service
Safe
Iron
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Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Full view
Contact
900 San Ysidro Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $39/day
536Reviews4Q+A100Room tips
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For $4,000/night one expects an excellent experience. SYR is coasting on its location and past glory but isn't currently delivering an experience that matches the price. It has been a long time since they had unique decor and brought freshly popped popcorn to the rooms! Let's start with the exceptional: the location is amazing and having mostly stand-alone cottages provides one with privacy and a real get-away feel. Every room has an EV charger, which is very thoughtful, and the pool area has been re-done, has small gym, a mini golf course, and a bocce pitch. Then there are the rooms and the dining, which are not exceptional. Everything is fine in the rooms, but fine and adequate don't match the price: the decor is very ordinary, towels are small and scratchy rather than luxurious. The turn-down service is below average--shades/drapes were not drawn, lights were not dimmed, no little "goodnight" amenity was provided. We had our child with us and requested a roll-away, which was in the room folded up; we had to move furniture and set it up ourselves, and, unlike other high-end hotels in SB, there was nothing special for our child. In contrast, El Encanto provides children's slippers, robes, gives children feed for the turtles in their pond, and always gives them some kind of gift. SYR used to serve breakfast anywhere on the property, and it was so lovely to dine in the gardens; now it is in-room or at the restaurant. However, on Sundays breakfast ends at 8:30 (yes, in the morning), which was not explained to us at check-in. When we went down at 8:45, the restaurant staff was quite rude and said it was "in the letter" the front desk gave us. When we asked if we could return for brunch when the restaurant re-opened at 11:00, we were told they were booked and didn't have a place for us. The pool restaurant is nice and the staff there was super friendly, but it does not open until 11:00. Our impression was that the whole dining experienced is designed for outsiders and guests are treated as second to their local customers. SYR was our second choice, as out first choice, El Encanto, was fully booked. It will remain a second-, or even third-choice for us after our recent experience.…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded 3 days ago
Dear llf415, Thank you for sharing your experience with kind words for the property and new amenities added for guest enjoyment. I also appreciate the notes of opportunities for improvement, as all of our staff strive to create the best experience for every guest on property. It is our goal to exceed all expectations, and I would value the opportunity to discuss your experience in more detail. At your convenience, please feel free to contact me directly, iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com, and I will look forward to speaking with you. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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I reviewed this hotel with three stars back in 2020. I'm delighted to say that they've made great changes and that SYR is now well worth the cost. The complimentary dining is a fantastic change and puts this place on par with the best Aman resorts. Also the food is wildly improved. We had some incredible dishes there and we loved trying different items on the menu. Service was warm and attentive. Staff truly went out of their way. We booked several rooms for friends and they also raved about the experience. Yes, this place is expensive, but it's the right kind of splurge. Peaceful, private, indulgent. Bravo, SYR!
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Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Cottages on the creek side of the property are our favorites.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Beautiful place , very romantic… The rooms look lovely it’s a piece of heaven. We went there on a honeymoon and we really enjoyed the ranch. The staff was friendly and the food was good . Would love to go back again soon. I forgot to mention the beauty of their garden ❤️
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I have been going to the San Ysidro Ranch for years and now that it has gotten a lot more expensive I have to content myself to merely eating at the Stonehouse. It's got so much history that I can't help but to wonder about their claim to fame with Winston Churchill, who they say stayed here in 1912 for a summer and wrote a "tome" there. They even have it on their Wikipedia page and named a cottage after him. Problem is, Churchill only came once to California, in 1929 for two weeks. Every day is accounted for. It's possible he stopped by the ranch on his drive from Hearst Castle to Los Angeles but not "a summer." However, there was a novelist from Vermont named Winston Churchill who spent a lot of time at the ranch around 1912, but he had nothing to do with Sir Winston. . I wonder how this fiction of a summer in Santa Barbara has been maintained through the years given how well-documented Sir Winston Churchill's life is.…
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Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
During our stay here we felt like we were in an enchanted fairytale where everything is beautiful and perfect, and there is no need to worry or stress because you’re in a little magical world where nothing can go wrong. So captivated were we during our three night stay that my husband never left the property, and I only did for a few walks to glance at the nearby impressive real estate. Forty or so cottages dot the stunning and immaculately kept grounds that burst with formal and informal gardens full of roses and other beautiful plantings. We stayed in the Honeysuckle cottage which like all the others was full of charm and a nice throwback to a gentler time. The room was spacious with a vaulted beam ceiling, oak floors, Persian rugs, and a brick faced gas fireplace. The furniture and paintings were antique and the canopy bed was the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in. Our bathroom was good size and also very charming with wallpaper even on the ceiling. It had double sinks, separate shower, and a large soaking tub. The outdoor terrace had two lounge chairs, a table with two chairs, and a small hot tub plus outdoor shower. The view was private and wooded with a peek of the ocean. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal package at Stonehouse with every single of our eight meals enjoyable and delicious, especially the Steak Diane. The bread products were also superb and the staff almost always remembered our names. The ambiance at the restaurant was also outstanding. Rustic and charming on the inside but we preferred to enjoy our meals on the two outdoor terraces. The upper one is covered and has flowers all around the edges and a view of the ocean. The lower terrace is open and in the middle of a tree planted and hedged garden. Both have fireplaces. The pool is near the top of the property in a secluded spot surrounded by comfortable loungers. The gym overlooks the pool and was the only disappointment during our stay. It is just a small room with some cardio machines but no useful machines for a workout. Nearby is a small cute outdoor bar and café that looks out to the ocean. There is also a surprisingly difficult six hole miniature golf course. We did not see the spa. The low key, low tech style of this hotel may not appeal to everyone but for us it was just perfect. This hotel is very special and unique and we greatly appreciated its natural beauty and charming style. A perfect stay.…
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Date of stay: December 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Jan 29, 2022
Dear J_and_A_1, I am so happy to see you enjoyed our magical hideaway in the hillside, and were able to experience so much of the property. It would be our pleasure to welcome you again, and make sure to schedule a spa appointment for even more relaxation. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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NickellFamilyTravel wrote a review Jan 2022
Los Angeles, California2156 contributions741 helpful votes
San ysidro ranch and restaurant is the best. The Best service. The Best food. The Best drinks. Quiet. Sophisticated yet country majestic. You feel special. Must have a reservation. Your odds increase when you are staying at the ranch. Good luck.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Make a reservation in advance
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Jan 5, 2022
Dear NickellFamilyTravel, Thank you for such kind words for our property. It is always our goal to make each guest feel special and create memorable experiences through attention to detail and the highest levels of guest service. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to the Ranch in the near future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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These are all my personal opinions and feelings as an ultra high end traveler for the last 15 years. And a repeat guest at SYR since their big reopening approximately 15 years ago , referring friends and bringing family. Paying $3,000 - $5,000 per night isn’t a big deal in 2021/2022 for staying at a superb luxury 5 star property. Except anyone paying that should reasonably expect flawless service and generous high end amenities. I expect that when a place like SYR raises their rates significantly - they should also be focusing on guest happiness and what they are providing for those guests. For that sort of money per night – Why isn’t there a dedicated concierge? Why is there such seemingly high staff turnover from year to year? Why isn’t there 24 hour room service with a full menu between 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.? Hot items, cold items, assorted appetizers, entrees and desserts, you name it. Why would the jacuzzi on your back porch ever not be working? Why would the WifI ever not be working? Why are the four poster beds made of what appears to be cheap looking, ordinary sticks of wood instead of being beautifully carved walnut or mahogany 4 posters? Why aren’t there new mattresses instead of mismatched boards under the mattress for support? Why doesn’t the complimentary under-counter bar in the cottage have a wider assortment of sweet and savory packaged snacks? Snacks that are fresh, and not stale? Why aren’t there the latest model of Toto Neorest heated toilets in every bathroom? Heated towel bars? Why aren’t there updated deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms? Why are the toiletry sizes under 3 oz. each? And not replenished daily automatically? Why does the hot water run out so quickly in the shower? Maybe 4-5 minutes before it has cooled significantly. Especially so if your partner is taking a bath at the same time. Why aren’t 6 pieces of complimentary daily laundry per cottage included at these nightly prices? A complimentary Stonehouse full breakfast plus coffee and tea beverages, 3 course lunch and 3 course dinner should be included in the nightly rate – not just a 1 course or buffet breakfast and 2 course lunch. I expect better from a place like SYR. The gardens might be beautiful, the cottages might be darling at first glance, Stonehouse restaurant might be incredibly romantic. However, issues like these above denote a luxury property where it’s seemingly more about public relations than it is about substance. Billionaire owner Ty Warner could fix this in the blink of an eye, if he cared to. Whether his current General Manager lets him know of ongoing daily issues or not, the buck stops with Ty. However, it seems to me like there is an attitude at SYR of ‘you are lucky to be here, so suck it up and do without “ instead of ‘we appreciate having your business and want to earn your loyalty as a valued guest by going that extra mile” Is this how you want to be treated as a guest in this price range? Only you know the answer to that.…
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Date of stay: March 2021
Location
Cleanliness
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
4 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Dec 30, 2021
Dear CinderellaDearest, Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and opportunities for improvement. It is all of our goals to ensure the best, five star experience for each and every guest. I would very much appreciate discussing your experience in more detail and will make all efforts for improvement to provide the utmost confidence in our world-renowned reputation for flawless service. At your convenience, please feel free to contact me directly, iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com, and I will look forward to speaking with you. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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I feel so lucky to have stayed in this exceptional resort which balances first class customer service with a low-key and relaxing and quiet vibe. The whole property is so romantic and charming from the well appointed rooms to the grounds which are clearly well cared for as we often passed landscapers tending to the flowers and other plants. The breakfast was a highlight of each day.
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Date of stay: December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Dec 30, 2021
Dear BaileyBrooksMcCarthy, I am thrilled you enjoyed a romantic and relaxing stay, and appreciate your kind words for the care we take in making San Ysidro Ranch among the best boutique hotels in the world. We'll all look forward to the opportunity to welcome you for another stay in the future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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+1
It’s an amazing beautiful location for a holiday. The grounds are constantly being tended too by landscapers. The flowering plants and rose garden are lovely. They grow all their herbs and vegetables. We stayed in the Willow it’s 1900 square feet cottage. I loved it listening to the creek nearby. The hot tubs and everything down to two large big screen TV’s. The living room and bedroom are appointed with beautiful wood and antique furniture. I loved the stone firehouse on cooler nights. This property has history it’s owned by Ty Warner where famous people and celebrities stay, but that is not my reason. The privacy of each cottage. You also have a charging station for each parking space. The staff, Kate, Lou down to wait staff and bartenders gave personal service all the time. If you can afford to stay here if not don’t.…
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Nov 22, 2021
Dear Susan J, Our team takes great pride in providing the highest standards of service for our guests, and I am so pleased you enjoyed the amenities of the property as well. We are thrilled to offer complimentary EV chargers for every guest parking space, and glad you were able to make use of it. It would be our pleasure to welcome you for another stay in the future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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A bright line test of a hotel is how problems with accommodations are handled by management. For a five night stay two of us checked into a cottage that the following morning proved to have a defective shower. The water temperature would oscillate between cold and dangerously hot. We told reception on the first morning on way to the outstanding breakfast and a repair was promised for that first day. The repair did not materialize and the following morning we had the same problem. Again we advised reception. Later that second afternoon (when we were later hosting an eight person dinner party) we were told by telephone while away from the property that we would be relocated to another (larger) cottage as the repair would take longer than expected and that our possessions would be relocated. Returning to the hotel we found that our possessions had not been relocated and we would have to repack our bags ourselves (in the midst of moving the assisting bellman disappeared for 20 minutes and returned only after a call to reception.) Eventually we relocated and arrived at the restaurant just as our guests were arriving. The food was outstanding and the hospitality and service at high standards as all others report. We did run into a problem of getting the jacuzzi temperature adjusted to our liking, which required several calls to engineering as (presumably for safety reasons) the temperature is not adjustable by guests. We believe that the shower problem could have been, and should have been, fixed (or we relocated) on the first day and without so much angst on our part - hence four, not five, stars.…
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Date of stay: September 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Nov 22, 2021
Dear 22club58, Thank you for such kinds words regarding our food and service, as well as the opportunities for improvement. We do hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you for another stay; please feel free to contact me directly to assist in reservations. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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PRICE RANGE
$2,852 - $3,452 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
san ysidro ranch, a ty warner property hotel santa barbara, san ysidro inn
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSanta Barbara
NUMBER OF ROOMS
41
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about San Ysidro Ranch
Which popular attractions are close to San Ysidro Ranch?
Nearby attractions include Jamie Slone Wines (4.7 miles), Santa Barbara Art Glass (3.8 miles), and Santa Barbara County Courthouse (4.8 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at San Ysidro Ranch?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at San Ysidro Ranch?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at San Ysidro Ranch?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to San Ysidro Ranch?
Conveniently located restaurants include East Beach Tacos, Handlebar Coffee Roasters, and McConnell's Fine Ice Creams.
Are there opportunities to exercise at San Ysidro Ranch?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at San Ysidro Ranch?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at San Ysidro Ranch?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does San Ysidro Ranch offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to meeting rooms and a banquet room during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at San Ysidro Ranch?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.