San Ysidro Ranch
525 reviews
#6 of 55 Hotels in Santa Barbara
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900 San Ysidro Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1325
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About
#6 of 55 hotels in Santa Barbara
Location
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Value
Nestled in the Montecito foothills of Southern California’s wine country, San Ysidro Ranch has provided a tranquil vacation destination for discriminating travelers for over a century. Guests are drawn to the Santa Barbara hideaway for its blend of natural beauty, romantic heritage and classic luxury. Myth and history mingle in the lush garden where Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged vows; in the setting of John and Jackie Kennedy’s honeymoon retreat.
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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
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
Mountain View
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Full view
Contact
900 San Ysidro Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1325
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $39/day
525Reviews4Q+A100Room tips
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Yes, it’s expensive, but there is that old saying about, “You get what you pay for”. This is so true of San Ysidro Ranch. We certainly have never stayed in a place so impressive on every level before, and really don’t see us ever finding a place that would top the experience. This is more of a retreat than a resort… a quiet serene place to relax and unwind without leaving the grounds, or your cottage for that matter. We stayed in one of the smaller attached units overlooking the creek. The room was in immaculate condition, quiet and spacious with all the mod cons. We understand after talking to one of the managers that these particular cabins were rebuilt around 2019 after being destroyed by the Montecito mudslide and gas line explosion in 2018. It still had the feel of being brand new. There is some pretty heavy construction taking place at the north end of the property to various cottages, I suspect this may infringe on some guest enjoyment at this time, but fortunately for us we did not hear anything during the day on our patio. Also, the main pool area was closed for refurbishment, the only pool currently available being the smaller (but adequate) one which is part of the Warner Cottage. The large pool when complete certainly looks like it will be a fine place to “hang out” with the addition of the new bar. We ate the included breakfast, lunch and dinners in the Stonehouse restaurant. Very much enjoyed our food and the attentive staff as well as the ambiance on both upstairs and downstairs patios. Pretty sure the meal package is a promotional deal to entice guest back after COVID restrictions, so not sure if this will last. Food was “OK” in both our humble opinions. We never found that great meal we were looking for but had fun trying! Wine list/cellar is extensive, but frustratingly expensive. A special mention to all the staff… from the front desk, to wait staff, to housekeeping, to the landscape crew. Everyone to a person was respectful, friendly, helpful and professional. A great team. Every employee seemed to know our name and know that it was our wedding anniversary… a nice touch. As for COVID-19. If you have any concerns about visiting at this time, I would say don’t worry. The beauty is there are no elevators, hallways, valet parking (you park your own vehicle right outside your cottage), restaurant seating is predominately outside with very restrictive indoor availability. All staff wear masks at all times, and the Ranch request all guest wear mask in common areas. On the whole guest seemed pretty compliant, especial when entering areas like the front desk and the restaurant. One minor comment would be that tables/chairs in the restaurant did not appear to be wiped down between place settings. Also, no hand sanitizers in the restrooms. Maybe we have moved on from needing these precautions? All in all, we hope to return one day soon… hopeful to the same cottage and when the main pool is up and running and to add to the experience.…
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Date of stay: May 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Rooms facing the creek probably have better views, and there is currently construction to the...
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4 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Robert H, It is wonderful to see your wedding anniversary was well spent at the Ranch! Our team enjoys providing a warm and hospitable environment with a very detailed attention to service, and will hope to welcome you again soon. The Plunge Pool Bar is now open, along with mini golf putting course and bocce ball - if you do want to leave the cottage! Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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The gardens and grounds are of course breathtaking, but I was super impressed with the service Roberto in the Stonehouse restaurant provided. He was thoughtful, kind and made us feel both incredibly well taken care of and like his personal special guest. Amazing cottages with the individual hot tubs and outside showers. A gem — we will definitely return.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Bkheter1, I am so pleased you enjoyed your stay, and agree Roberto is a wonderful member of our team! We will very much look forward to welcoming you to the Ranch in the future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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We stayed four nights in Daisy Cottage. The cottage is up a small flight of stairs that leads to a front patio with table and chairs and two chaises and an umbrella. French doors lead to the room. It is a pretty room, although surprisingly smallish considering the listed square footage. The lighting is good and there are enough outlets. The canopy bed is wonderfully comfortable, although the canopy makes the room seem smaller. We would lift it over the top. There is a fireplace, minibar with free snacks and a large assortment of booze, wines, and other drinks. Non-alcoholic drinks are free. There is a large tv on the wall. Storage, including a closet, was good enough to unpack. Bedding, toiletries, and towels were excellent. The bathroom had two sinks and a separate bath and shower with a great shower head and water pressure. There is a back door that leads to another patio with a shower and a hot tub. The area is large enough to warrant a couple of chairs, but there are none. The hot tub was pretty large and was delightful. Twice daily housekeeping did a marvelous job. We loved the cottage. Grounds were expansive with beautiful gardens and distinct areas to lounge in. The pool was lovely and pool service was attentive, and provided cold water as well as towels and drinks and food. There is a fitness room there. There are very good walking trails leading off from the property. Service at the hotel was informal, friendly, highly professional, and, in general, warm and coddling. All meals were included in the rate during a promotion. I wrote up the restaurant separately, but I’ll note here that the food was spectacular and the service flawless. The view from the terrace was gorgeous. Staff and guests were Covid-considerate, and we felt safe. The only negative was that eventually we had to leave. This is a very special resort and we can’t wait to return.…
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Date of stay: February 2021
Rooms
Service
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Larry W, Thank you for such kinds words for our property and staff. The team and I take great pride in providing such high levels of guest service that do make it difficult to leave. We'll certainly look forward to welcoming you for another visit in the future! Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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+1
Although San Ysidro Ranch has been welcoming guests since the late 1800's, I just enjoyed my first 2 stays here just 2 weeks apart. Originally a sanctuary for Franciscan monks in the late 1700's, it was also a citrus farm. Most famously, John F. and Jaqueline Kennedy honeymooned here. The Ranch has been owned by Ty Warner of Beanie Babies fame since 2000. He is a local resident and also owns the nearby Four Seasons Biltmore (currently closed). Never an inexpensive lodging choice, the Ranch had increased value recently. When the pandemic closed both indoor and outdoor dining, the Ranch offered an all-meal-inclusive in-room dining package at standard rates. During my second visit, outdoor dining had just reopened, so the Ranch included restaurant dining in the package as well. The Ranch is located in a residential area of affluent Montecito, nestled amongst estates with large roadside gates and mansions not visible from the street. The Ranch itself is down a lovely lane surrounded by olive trees and fields of lavender. There are 41 cottages/hideaways situated U-shaped around expertly-tended central gardens of citrus, roses, vegetables and herbs, plus a lovely pool and temporarily closed fitness centre. The 2017 wildfires, especially the Thomas Fire, severely denuded the hills above the Ranch, so the subsequent heavy rains and mudslides in January 2018 heavily damaged or destroyed about half of the Ranch's cottages. However, by March 2019 the Ranch had reopened, thanks to speedy reconstruction and renovation, lots of mature trees, vines and plants, and Mr. Warner's clout. The Ranch looks unscathed today. Some of the cottages are free-standing, others share common walls. All have private patios, Persian rugs, antiques, four poster king canopy beds. Some have hot tubs, outdoor rain showers and stone fireplaces (gas). Mr. Warner is fond of pigs and their significance in Chinese culture, so there is a sleeping or sniffing porcelain pig in each cottage (also for sale in the gift shop). There is an expansive minibar with top-shelf liquor and many bottles of wine. The non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are complimentary. I stayed in the Jasmine and Magnolia Cottages. The Jasmine is a quaint free-standing creekside cottage, while the Magnolia is one of the French Lavender cottages, slightly larger. There's no such thing as a "bad" cottage--make a choice based on location, availability and price. The Kennedy cottage is one of the pricier ones, while the Warner cottage, really a 2 bedroom 2.5 bathroom villa with its own pool, is the priciest. During my first stay, only in-room dining was available. The menu choices were fairly broad. The attendant can set up the meal either indoors or outside. For my second stay, the Stonehouse Restaurant had reopened for outdoor dining on its upper terrace and lower patio. There was just one menu--when both Stonehouse and Plow and Angel (a second less formal restaurant) are open, I believe there are 2 separate menus. The restaurant menu had a few more choices than the in-room dining menu and the atmosphere and ambiance are beautiful. I enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner on the upper terrace, with distant ocean views. Note the Stonehouse (housed in a circa 1889 building) is popular with locals and non-guests, especially at dinner. I think breakfast may be for guests only. I saw Mr. Warner in the restaurant one evening. Dining at the restaurant was a bird-free experience, which was not the case when dining outdoors on the cottage patio. I noticed a lot of crows on the property. I can tell you crows and bluejays seem to like yellow and blue packets of artificial sweetener. For both visits, I did not venture off-site at all, although the staff can arrange a plethora of activities for you if desired. There are quaint shopping areas just down the road and also closer to the highway. I was happy enough to enjoy the cottage, the gardens, and the pool. Guests can dine poolside or in any of the gardens also. The Spa is under renovation. There is a bridge over the creek just beyond the restaurant valet parking area that just reopened before my second stay. Here is the access point to many hiking trails into the hills. Service overall was outstanding with nary a glitch. Overall 2 unforgettable stays.…
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Date of stay: February 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded 3 days ago
Dear pillowsofwanderlust, I am thrilled to see you enjoyed both visits, and able to learn and share so much about our beautiful property. It is a pleasure to welcome you, and we'll hope to have more opportunities to welcome you for unforgettable stays in the future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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We came here just as Covid was entering the thoughts of people across the nation. My wife was pregnant at the time due just a couple months later and we wanted to get one last great California trip in before hunkering down with our newborn. Little did we realize this would be our last trip for some time. We're so glad we came here for this. The great service started from the moment I called to reserve. This was our first time and the agent did a great job of helping me pick the perfect cottage. We chose a specific creekside one bedroom and it was a great choice. Our cottage had a spacious indoor living room with amazing fireplace and an equally great outdoor space to enjoy during the day. The bathroom was beautifully decorated, large and well appointed. During our stay we enjoyed an amazing meal at Stonehouse outdoors. Even with it being a bit chilly out in February, the outdoor heating lamps kept us feeling warm. We also dined at Plow and Angel another night. The food here was great as well, but it's a bummer there is no reservations. Next time perhaps we can put our name down and just go hang out in the cottage while we wait. Service at both was good, but next time we'd probably stick to just going to Stonehouse. We enjoyed room service many times and it came promptly, correctly and at a great temperature every time. It's always a favorite of ours to have breakfast in our room and they do it great here. Overall service across the property is great. The property is well maintained and every employee we spoke to was friendly and willing to help us quickly. We can't wait to come back and really like that the property is family friendly as well, so we can bring our son with us next time.…
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Helpful
Response from Ian Williams, General Manager at San Ysidro Ranch
Responded Jan 12, 2021
Dear javacodeguy, It is such a pleasure to see you enjoyed your first visit to the Ranch, and still have such fond memories! Each member of our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of guest service and attention to detail, and we would very much look forward to welcoming your family for another visit in the future. Ian Williams General Manager iwilliams@sanysidroranch.com
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PRICE RANGE
$900 - $1,352 (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 County Courthouse (4.8 miles), and Ganna Walska Lotusland (2.0 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.