Tucked away on the coast of Central California is the place Forbes calls the #1 Hotel in America, San Ysidro Ranch. This hotel, a collection of suites and cottages is so sweet and simply wonderful. If you are looking for a private, romantic getaway, San Ysidro Ranch is just perfect. It is so luxurious and romantic that the Kennedys honeymooned here! When you stay here, you don’t feel like you’re staying at a hotel. You feel like you have your own little space in a secret garden and you will wish that you could stay forever.
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A Tranquil Destination
San Ysidro Ranch is located in the heart of Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara is a coastal city wrapped in the Ynez Mountains, giving you breathtaking views from wherever you stand. Known as the American Riviera, here you can relax at the beach, hike in the hills or take in a tasting at one of the many wineries. Visit the historical Mission Santa Barbara, shop and dine at upscale boutiques and restaurants and explore the lush gardens and mediterranean architecture that makes Santa Barbara so special.
You cannot visit Santa Barbara without staying at the San Ysidro Ranch. It is just as much of a destination in this city as anything else. This hideaway is tranquil and classically romantic. Upon arrival, your senses will ignite with the soothing smell of lavender all around. This spot in the Montecito foothills is something to behold. You find yourself nestled in the foothills, with gardens all around you and the most gorgeous little cottages, restaurants and quiet spaces, as well as a view of the ocean.
More Than Just A Hotel Room
The accommodations at San Ysidro Ranch are all first class, with gorgeous furnishings and comfortable amenities. The options range from suites just under 500 square feet all the way up to private cottages that are over 2,000 square feet! You can even reserve the cottage that JFK and Jackie honeymooned in. Whichever space you reserve, you will have privacy and luxury like you have never known. This is not your average hotel!
If you desire a small suite for your visit, the Hideaway Rooms are just the thing. With views of the garden or views of the ocean available, these rooms feature private entrances and all the features you expect with a lavish hotel. They are individually decorated and feature Persian rugs, Italian linens and four poster canopy beds.
There are two types of Suites at San Ysidro. The Romantic Garden Suites are spacious and feature old world furniture and original art work. With fire places and canopied beds, you can’t imagine anything more romantic. There are also private, furnished patios perfect for enjoying the views and the lovely weather.
The Creekside One Bedroom Suites are incredibly spacious and set under a grove of old oak trees. One suite actually has a large branch from an oak growing through a hole in the deck. There is a private gated entrance through the garden to the suite.
Sleep in every morning, comfy in the lace canopy bed, enjoy coffee on the deck under the trees and snuggle by the fireplace in the evenings. Even the bathrooms are luxurious with heated tile floors, indoor/outdoor rain showers, and candle lit hot tubs.
For the most amazing, private experience at San Ysidro, you must stay in one of the Cottages. There are 41 private cottages throughout the property. All are individually decorated and furnished so you can stay here again and again and have a different experience in a different cottage each time.
These classic bungalows feature antique furniture, luxury linens, and all have fireplaces and patios. The free standing cottages are pet friendly so your furry family members can get a taste of the good life as well. There isn’t one thing about the cottages that make them so amazing; it is a combination of all the incredible features and well thought out details that give you an experience unlike anything you have ever had while traveling.
For even more relaxation, you must visit the Spa at San Ysidro. What makes this spa so special is that the herbs, flowers, and plants that are grown right there on the property are incorporated into the spa treatments. You can enjoy spa services in the spa or request them to be performed in the privacy of your cottage. Choose from one of the Signature Spa Services. They even have a Baby Moon package that includes prenatal massage! When you want to cool off, take a dip in the crystal blue pool surrounded by blooming flowers and green, shady trees.
Stroll Through the Gardens
The gardens of San Ysidro Ranch are a destination all on their own. They are more beautiful than many botanical gardens that we have visited. There are herbs and plants everywhere. The old stone pathways are lined with greenery and surrounded by pops of color from all the flowers. Breathe in the intoxicating scents of lavender, orange blossom, and magnolia. The rose garden will blow you away. If you desire a walk that is a little more challenging, there are great hiking trails behind the ranch. Every step you take around San Ysidro Ranch will lead you to a sight just as beautiful as the last step. Don’t believe us? Check out all these photos we took strolling through the gardens…
Delectable Dining
Just as the hotel accommodations and grounds are some of the best in the world, so are the dining options.
The Stonehouse Restaurant is known as the most romantic restaurant in Santa Barbara. It is just as unique as the suites and cottages, located in a 19th-century citrus packing house. The Stonehouse serves regional cuisine and they get as local as possible by featuring herbs and vegetables from the chef’s garden on the property! You can dine here for lunch and dinner and there is a champagne brunch on Sundays. Sitting outside under the twinkling lights and canopy of flowers makes for a picture perfect evening.
Plow & Angel is a favorite dinner and drinks spot of the locals. Featuring stain glass windows, the decor is beautiful. Come here to enjoy a gourmet twist on comfort foods like mac’ n cheese and ribs.
For the most private dining experience, make a reservation for 1825 Old Adobe Cottage or the Wine Cellar. In room dining is available daily from 7 am to 10 pm.
All The Romance Needed for Stunning Weddings
If you are looking for a picture perfect setting for your dream wedding, San Ysidro is the place. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the gardens, oaks, hills and sweeping views of the ocean, you will say your vows in a place so beautiful it almost seems unreal.
San Ysidro is set up perfectly for small, intimate wedding parties. You can reserve all 41 accommodations for your wedding party and guests and have the entire place all to yourself. Pick your favorite spot in the romantic gardens or cottages. There are actually 8 Wedding Venues on property to choose from. Let San Ysidro customize your wedding to be exactly how you have always wanted it to be.
This exclusive hotel is so much more than a hotel. With private cottages, suites, and rooms all situated in the serene gardens in the shadows of the Ynez Mountains, you will wonder what took you so long to find this incredible place. You feel like you are in your own little world here as you breathe in the scent of lavender and gaze out over the Pacific Ocean. Get here and get here quickly. It is like living in a storybook, a fairy tale. You will leave the San Ysidro Ranch relaxed and rejuvenated.
This place is food for the soul.
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Photo Credit: everyavenuegirl
