Issuu

Timo Nuñez at El Paseo

JUST SOLD

Offered at $29,995,000 Represented Buyer

Sold in Montecito | Offered at $65,000,000 Represented Seller

IN MONTECITO

Sold in Montecito | Offered at $4,795,000 Represented Buyer

M O N T E C I T O E S TAT E S. C O M

The Premiere Estates of Montecito & Santa Barbara C. 8 0 5 . 8 8 6 . 6 0 0 0 | C A L R E # 0 0 6 2 2 2 5 8

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted, and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2026 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 261V3R-DC_GLA_5/26

ROCKBRIDGE

790 ROCKBRIDGE ROAD, MONTECITO 790ROCKBRIDGE.COM

LICENSE #01954177

P A R

R S

R I S

G R

RISKINPARTNERS .COM

A C O L L E C T I O N O F L O C A L S T O R E S F O R S A N TA B A R B A R A L I V I N G w e n d y f o s t e r. c o m | p i e r r e l a f o n d . c o m | s h o p u p s t a i r s . c o m

E X C L U S I V E LY A T CONEJO HARDWOODS WESTLAKE VILLAGE

•

SANTA BARBARA

TWO PARCELS A BEAUTIFUL LEGACY TO CONTINUE 660/670 Buena Vista Drive, Montecito, CA

in CALIFORNIA

MARSHA KOTLYAR ESTATE GROUP

805.565.4014 | Home@MKGroupMontecito.com

Lic. #01426886 | *Awards based on 2025 production of more than 45,000 sales associates in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Global Network. ©2026 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. Equal Housing Opportunity.

MontecitoFineEstates.com

1143 COAST VILLAGE RD. MONTECITO, CA 93108 info@danielgibbings.com DANIELGIBBINGS.COM 805-565-1284

GIFFINANDCRANE.COM | LICENSE 611341

B U I L D I N G P E AC E O F M I N D

A S P R E Y. C O M

T H E R I V E R A G L A S S WA R E C O L L E C T I O N

A S P R E Y L O N D O N AT T H E B E V E R LY H I L L S H OT E L , 9 6 4 1 S U N S E T B LV D , B E V E R LY H I L L S , C A 9 0 2 1 0 , T E L + 1 3 1 0 5 5 0 0 5 2 0

NS CERAMIC I

MOSAÏQUE SURFACE

Dewdrops CERAMIC u STONE u GLASS u METAL u PORCELAIN 602 E Montecito St, Ste A

Santa Barbara

805 -962-1422

nsceramic.com

COAST SUPPLY CO. C R A F T S M A N S H I P

S I N C E

1 9 4 5

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS O F

Q U A L I T Y

C O M F O R T

FLOORiNG | SOFAS | SHADES

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

BUILDALLEN.COM | 805.884.8777 | LICENSE #503300

SUSAN READ CRONIN BRONZE SCULPTURES

THE TOP RUNG Bronze, 20” H x 7” W x 8” D

WWW.SUSANREADCRONIN.COM 802.379.8172

EMILY KELLENBERGER & ASSOCIATES CONFIDENTIALITY | ETHICS | EXPERIENCE | KNOWLEDGE | WARMTH

WWW.EKAESTATES.COM | DRE 01397913

Photography: Matt Wier

Santa Barbara | Los Angeles

browndesigninc.com 26 E Gutierrez St Santa Barbara CA 93101 805-228-4114 | 323-962-2600

TIMELESS MEDITERRANEAN ESTATE

w w w . 4 2 0 T o r o C a n y o n . c o m

4 2 0

T O R O

O f f e r e d

a t

C A N Y O N

$ 1 0 , 8 7 5 , 0 0 0

GARY GOLDBERG COASTAL PROPERTIES Over $1 Billion in Career Sales 805-455-8910 | gary@coastalrealty.com | www.garygoldberg.net | DRE #01172139

LETTER CONTRIBUTORS LIVE New faces and places happening this summer CULTURE Inspirational artistic endeavors TASTE The best of local sipping and snacking

DEAR SANTA BARBARA Styled by Lawren Howell. Photographs by Tierney Gearon

SECOND WAVE Written by Josef Woodard. Photographs by Alex Noble

THE NARRATOR Written by John Connelly. Photographs by Sam Frost

WHERE THE LAND LEADS Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick. Photographs by Danielle Rubi

BACK PAGE A Hollister Ranch shack from the 1960s

24 SUMMER

Journey

Purveyors of the Finest New, Custom, Reimagined and Estate Jewelry

Since 1965 18K 18 K Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet 812 State Street • Santa Barbara • 805.966.9187 • BryantAndSons.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR + CEO

Jennifer Smith

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Gina Tolleson

CREATIVE CONSULTANT

James Timmins MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Rutledge SENIOR DESIGNER

Charlotte Bryant Medina

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Anna Ferguson-Sparks Amelia Fleetwood Jennifer Blaise Kramer Lorie Dewhirst Porter Jessica Ritz Gabe Saglie Hana-Lee Sedgwick Katherine Stewart Joan Tapper Caitlin White CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ingrid Bostrom Blake Bronstad Sam Frost Blue Gabor Tierney Gearon Michael Haber Gray Malin Elizabeth Messina Dewey Nicks Victoria Pearson Sara Prince Jessica Sample Mariana Schulze Trevor Tondro ILLUSTRATION

Olivia Joffrey

Where life feels right Helping clients navigate Montecito and Santa Barbara real estate with intention, expertise, and care.

Maureen McDermut Montecito & Santa Barbara Advisor 805.570.5545 Maureen.McDermut@sothebys.realty Sotheby’s International Realty - 1165 Coast Village Rd, Suite A I Montecito, CA I sothebysrealty.com © 2025 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. DRE#01175027

View Current Listings

CHAIRMAN 1999-2003

Robert N. Smith

PRESIDENT

Jenny Murray PUBLISHER

Amy Lipson CONTROLLER

Leila Allen

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sandy Hubbard

The Fountain of YOU. This is more than a place to live. It’s a place to come alive.

Discover a sanctuary of elegance and ease, that creates a space to feel liberated, celebrated, and authentic. RETIREMENT LIVING,

redefined.

Santa Barbara Magazine invites you to share with us your reactions to our latest stories. Letters are not for publication, but please include your address in case we need to contact you. By mail: Reader Response Department, Santa Barbara Magazine, 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Ste. 120, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. By e-mail: editorial@sbmag.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please call to schedule a personal tour. 5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara MaravillaSeniorLiving.com 805.790.8954 MARA VILLA

5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara

maravilla SENIORLIVING.COM | 805-790-8954 AN SRG SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

RCFE# 425801937

Single copies and subscriptions are available at shop.sbmag.com. Domestic rates are $19.95 for one year. For Canada, add $49 postage; for rest of the world, add $69. Subscriber Customer Service: please contact subscribe@sbmag.com ADVERTISERS

For advertising inquiries, contact Amy Lipson, publisher, at amy@sbmag.com.

ummer in Santa Barbara has a way of slowing time while filling every day with possibility. Whether it’s a morning walk along the shoreline or an evening dining with friends alfresco, this season reminds us why so many people are drawn to this place. The beauty of Santa Barbara is undeniable, but what continues to inspire me most are the artists, visionaries, stewards, and dreamers who shape our community in unexpected ways. In this issue, we celebrate creativity in its many forms. Renowned photographer Tierney Gearon and stylist-curator Lawren Howell have transformed a collection of vintage Hermès beach towels into a playful and colorful artistic collaboration (“Dear Santa Barbara,” page 88) that feels distinctly festive—evoking the whimsy and tradition of Fiesta and Solstice. Featuring familiar faces from our community, the project is joyful, eccentric, and impossible not to smile at. It is a reminder that beauty can be found in the simplest things—and that art often begins with curiosity and imagination. Speaking of imagination, few structures have captured the collective fascination of Santa Barbara quite like the Whale House (“Second Wave,” page 102). For nearly 50 years, this architectural wonder in Mission

30 SUMMER

Canyon has inspired equal parts admiration and intrigue, even appearing on the cover of Santa Barbara Magazine in 1978. Thanks to the passion and vision of Josh and Marley Raab, it’s experiencing a thoughtful revival. We are also honored to feature artist Jessie Homer French, whose work explores the complex relationship between nature and humanity (“The Narrator,” page 112). At 86 years old, Homer French, now based in Ojai, continues to create with energy and conviction. Her paintings reveal the beauty and fragility of the landscapes she loves, while her layered studio and enduring sense of curiosity offer an inspiring portrait of a life devoted to creative expression. The connection between people and the land is also at the heart of Rincon Hill Farm. As part of a new generation of farm-driven hospitality (“Where the Land Leads,” page 120), it demonstrates how innovation and stewardship can work hand in hand. As we settle into the warmth and rhythm of longer days and later sunsets, I hope this issue inspires you to explore, connect, and appreciate the many layers of creativity and character that make our region so special.

Cover stars Timo Nuñez and Sheila Márquez. Photographed by Tierney Gearon. Styled by Lawren Howell.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S ULTIMATE SHOPPING DESTINATION ALAÏA BALENCIAGA BERLUTI BOTTEGA VENETA BVLGARI CARTIER CHANEL CHLOÉ DELVAUX DIOR ERES FENDI GIVENCHY GRAFF GUCCI HARRY WINSTON HERMÈS KHAITE LOUIS VUITTON MAX MARA MONCLER MOYNAT PRADA ROGER VIVIER SAINT LAURENT THOM BROWNE TIFFANY & CO. VALENTINO

partial listing

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA SOUTHCOASTPLAZA.COM

TIERNEY GEARON Photographer Tierney Gearon (left) recently released The Collection: A Visual Diary of Towels and Travel, a fouryear photographic project documenting her collection of vintage Hermès beach towels across locations ranging from Montana to Marrakech. For this issue, she shot the covers and the portraits for “Dear Santa Barbara” (page 88). S.B. MUST DOS • At the zoo with my grandchildren • Spending the day in Summerland • With friends at Rincon Beach. LAWREN HOWELL Lawren Howell’s (right) dual foundation in fashion and interiors informs her work as an interior decorator, which is guided by a practice of discovery, editing, and composition. Howell styled the shoots for “Dear Santa Barbara” (page 88). She also runs Howell & Co., a shop in downtown Santa Barbara dedicated to featuring a curated selection of art, antiques, and rotating artist exhibitions. S.B. MUST DOS Dinner at Merci • After-school surf play dates with kids and friends at Leadbetter Point • A great meal at Little Mountain.

ON THE COVERS TIMO NUÑEZ Dancer, musician, mentor “I enjoy passing on the traditional culture of Old Spanish Days to the younger generations at Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco, the legacy flamenco dance studio.” SHEILA MÁRQUEZ Model and mother “Santa Barbara shares a resemblance to Spain, where I am from, in its climate, geography, and rich heritage. I feel really connected to the local culinary scene.”

ERREN FRANKLIN Erren Franklin (@look_n_visible) is an analog moving film artist, based in Santa Barbara, specializing in small formats like Super-8 and 16mm. He shot our behind-the-scenes footage for “Dear Santa Barbara” (page 88); look for the video on sbmag.com.

DANIELLE RUBI Danielle Rubi is a photographer, filmmaker, and creative collaborator based in Santa Barbara. Her work is known for its intimate, cinematic approach to people, places, and culture. For this issue, she photographed Rincon Hill Farm for “Where the Land Leads” (page 120). S.B. MUST DOS • A sunset walk along the Ellwood Bluffs • Hike in Parma Park • Santa Barbara Farmers Market for produce and artisanal foods.

32 SUMMER

IN SEASON. EVERY SEASON.

Our Surf Jacket takes you from sunrise to sunset, all year round. Comfort, style and that lived-in feel you’ll never want to take off. Esbee offers a full range of sizes, including LT and XLT for 6'2" and taller. Designed in Montecito, California. Made in the USA.

STYLE | CULTURE | WE LIVE IN PARADISE | TASTE | TRENDS

MATT TITONE

NEW FACES + PLACES What’s happening this summer between the swells

Daniella Manini in her Ventura studio, as seen in Matt Titone’s Surf Shacks.

SUMMER 35

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: TK

OUT OF THE WATER Surf Shacks captures a creative community By Joan Tapper

att Titone’s SURF SHACKS series defies easy categories. Part architectural inspiration, part interior design, it’s an homage to the way surfers around the world live and work. The project dates to 2013, when Titone, cofounder of Indoek—a brand platform and publisher celebrating surf culture—began photographing his wave-riding friends and colleagues along with the spaces they created. His first volume appeared four years later, followed by volume 2 in 2020. Now there’s a third collection (Gestalten, $80), focusing on 40 individuals and couples stretching from California’s Central Coast to Hawaii, Europe, and Australia. Several live in Ventura (Indoek’s home base), where they relish the nearby surf and demonstrate a knack for transforming their material surroundings into something personal and unique. Artist and surfboard shaper Rachel Lord turned her garage into her workshop. Skateboard designer Neil Stratton and painter Jen Wolf reimagined a 110-year-old church, a drugstore, and several other buildings on the town’s Westside. Artist Daniella Manini imbues her pieces with color, joy, and a love of the coast and the ocean. Lachlan Leckie, cofounder of the outdoor-living brand Business & Pleasure Co., added playful elements to his home as well. us.gestalten.com.

36 SUMMER

MATT TITONE

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A few of Neil Stratton’s skateboard trucks under an inspirational sign; a work-and-play space for Stratton and Jen Wolf; Rachel Lord in her garage studio; Stratton and Wolf’s simple space for relaxation; Lachlan Leckie’s backyard halfpipe; several volumes of Surf Shacks; symbols bloom on a surfboard in Leckie’s home.

“These are the characters who help define our little surfing world.”

SARA PRINCE

Matt Titone

SUMMER 37

ATELIER SUNHOUSE, a creative studio and consultancy based in Carpinteria, also has a a seasonal shop that serves as a showroom for the firm’s services. The current showcase, Sommerhus, “is inspired by the Danish culture and tradition of retreating to summer cottages on the seaside and in the forest, where time moves slow and homes are furnished with simple, beautiful things, meant to last for generations,” says cofounder Julie Pointer Adams. “Sommerhus features heirloom goods for easy summer living, moving at the speed of nature.” ateliersunhouse.com. S.R.

38 SUMMER

JULIE POINTER ADAMS

Sommerhus, at Atelier Sunhouse in Carpinteria, is open for the summer.

U N A N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N .C O M | 8 0 5 . 6 8 2 . 5 6 8 5

Chanel Long Necklace, $3,025, Mules, $2,750, and Maxi Shopping Bag, $6,700, chanel.com.

COCO BEACH Chanel takes over the West Coast

Shop Chanel’s beach-worthy runway looks at the boutique at Rosewood Miramar Beach.

40 SUMMER

M O D E R N • C L A S S I C • J E W E L R Y

11 2 8

G A R D E N

S T R E E T

S A N

L U I S

O B I S P O

W W W . B A X T E R M O E R M A N . C O M

In our digital age, Lacey Petersen is focused on engaging two growing, decidedly analog subcultures. THE LILLIE debuted late this spring in Summerland as a haven for her fellow needlepoint enthusiasts and avid mahjong players. Beginning with the inventory of Ann Winn’s shuttered Village Needlepoint of Montecito, Petersen expanded her vision in the former Juniper boutique building on Lillie Avenue to create a niche arts-and-gaming clubhouse. The back area holds two mahjong tables, and an outdoor patio is also ready for play; the upstairs Airbnb unit hosts special events for gamers, crafters, and visiting needlepoint artists. Original mahjong furniture of Petersen’s own design (handmade in Texas) is present both for use and for sale, along with upholstered pieces by interior designer Sierra Muller. Petersen is excited to support local artists by commissioning original, regionally inspired needlepoint canvas designs. “Needlepont and mahjong are two very different things,” she says. “But they share the same goal of being calming— and offering community and peaceful fun.” 2474 Lillie Ave., Summerland, thelillie.com. JESSICA RITZ

42 SUMMER

SARA PRINCE

Needlepoint and mahjong enthusiasts are welcome to gather at The Lillie in Summerland.

BROCHU WALKER ELEVENTY FRĒDA SALVADOR HOMEBODY STUDIOS PILATES JAMIE HALLER JANESSA LEONÉ LELA ROSE LITTLE KING COFFEE MALIA MILLS MARISA MASON ORGANIC OREN OSPI RLT SALON PROVIDENCE SAVE KHAKI UNITED SCENERY FLORALS SHOPPE AMBER INTERIORS TELLER THE GREAT. THE OPTIMIST VELVET

Open daily: Over a dozen specialty shops and destination restaurants on a private lane in Montecito 1801 EAST CABRILLO STREET

THEPOSTMONTECITO.COM

1 + 2. Gray Malin, graymalin.com. 3 + 4. Will Adler, willadler.com. 5. Vintage postcards from San Ysidro Ranch. 6. David Mendoza III, davidmendozaiii.com. 7. Kerry Wheeler, wheelercollective.com.

Peter Horjus prints Tk.

MOOD FOR A STAYCAY Picturesque souvenirs aren’t only for tourists—local photogs offer keepsakes of Santa Barbara spots

44 SUMMER

YOUR BEST INVESTMENT

“I intentionally work with only a select number of buyers and sellers at a time to maintain a hands-on, personalized approach. While I have an incredible team supporting me, when you hire me - you get me.”

805.637.5112 | Patrice@PatriceSerrani.com PatriceSerrani.com | DRE.01764713

#1 BROKERAGE IN THE U.S * Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.

MUST READ The Girl on the Beach, by Carol Snow (Penguin Random House, $30), is a page-turner set on the American Riviera.

Hand-signed fine art prints are available in three sizes: 16" x 20" ($325), 24" x 36" ($725), and 36" x 48" ($975).

FRESH PAINT Graphic designer and artist Peter Horjus has created a new charming group of vintage-inspired local beach images, available as hand-signed fine art prints in three sizes. 11 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, peterhorjus.com.

Mini Marin Sweater, $325, available at La Ligne at the Montecito Country Mart. Emily P. Wheeler Tourmaline Diamond Amazonite Chubby Ring, $22,000, available at True Love Always.

46 SUMMER

Lorna Murray Capri Pleated Brim Packable Sun Hat, $175, and Missoni Chevron Knit Long Sleeve Mini Dress, $1,090, available at Everything But Water. Montecito Forte Beads Bracelet, $2,600, available at Carolina Bucci at the Montecito Country Mart.

FEEL AT HOME Traditional boutique hotels in Carpinteria are still few and far between, but a new guesthouse hidden in plain sight opens this summer with bespoke decor and keyless entry. The six contactless accommodations at THE RINCON ROOMS are part of a larger complex that houses 24 residences, plus a forthcoming dining concept on the ground floor. Residential-style rooms, which translate to a quieter, more comfortable sojourn, are part of a growing trend in hospitality, and these offerings fit neatly into a new category of short-term stay. “There are influences from traditional English interiors and old California guesthouses but softened and made more relaxed for the beach setting,” says designer Amanda Masters, who envisions the furnishings and artwork throughout as being “collected rather than decorated.” Expect custom California-focused pieces, nods to the local polo scene, and tchotchkes that reflect the laidback local surf culture. Sferra linens, Salt & Stone amenities, and Nespresso coffee stations are part of the setup in every room, some of which are dogfriendly, while others come with a spacious balcony or deep soaking tub. 4745 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, rinconrooms.com. CAITLIN WHITE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Room 5 is anchored by a kitchenette with custom countertops; outdoor terraces continue the modern tranquility of the interiors; thoughtful layouts and oversize furniture lend each space a residential feel.

48 SUMMER

MEG SANDU

The Rincon Rooms beckon

THE PINNACLE OF PEPPER HILL 356 WOODLEY ROAD, MONTECITO CA

This rare estate features two separate legal parcels, one for the residence on Woodley Road and one for the land on Glenview Road. Offering unmatched flexibility for future enjoyment, expansion, and long-term vision, this extraordinary estate designed by Jack Warner is distinguished by its architectural heritage, while featuring unmatched privacy, scale, ocean and coastline views. Price upon request. ROBERT KEMP

Luxury Real Estate Specialist Robert@RobertLKemp.com 805.259.6318 | DRE 01246412 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale, this is not a solicitation.

Business & Pleasure x Jenni Kayne Beach Towel, $89, and Resort Market Umbrella, $1,799, jennikayne.com/ collections/ business-pleasure.

The interior of the Janessa Leoné shop at The Post in Montecito. Janessa Leoné Mini Leoné Bag, $897, available at The Post.

GIVING SHADE Stripes on stripes, neutrals, and raffia

The Terry Franny, $178, and The Terry Venus, $128, kule.com. Delta Sunglasses, $360, caddislife.com.

Freda Salvador Daisy Mesh Flats, $328, available at The Post.

50 SUMMER

KELLY FAJACK

TRUE LOVE ALWAYS A Highly Curated Lifestyle Boutique

Owner, Lori Runnfeldt

1115 Coast Village Road, Montecito | 805.679.5456 | @tlagoods | tlagoods.com

Heidi Merrick’s wellness atelier (left) and apothecary offerings (above) are upstairs in her Summerland space.

GENERATIONAL BEAUTY After years of operating her boutique in Summerland, fashion designer Heidi Merrick remains eager to nurture local connections. THE APOTHECARY AT HEIDI MERRICK “is a great way to bring people together and build community,” she says. Merrick is partnering with a wide circle of female entrepreneurs for her new venture, including Meredith Markworth-Pollack of Palma Colectiva and photographer and herbalist Blue Gabor of Creature Soleil. A stairwell leads to an apothecary shop, a treatment room, and a natural light– flooded “wellness atelier” intended for gatherings, ceremonies, and special events. The apothecary area is particularly special for Merrick, since antiques from her mother’s and mother-in-law’s collections double as displays for a curated selection of goods by small-batch makers like May Lindstrom Skin and Bodha. 2272 Lillie Ave., Summerland, heidimerrick.com. J.R.

“I can’t sell anything unless I believe in it,” Carolina Gramm says. Many may recognize the former model, interior designer, and longtime Ojai resident as one of the faces of Chanel No. 5 advertising campaigns from the 1980s, but she has spent much of her postfashion career far removed from atelier fittings and runways. In addition to running her eponymous boutique in the Ojai Arcade, Gramm (who was raised in Italy) channels her olive oil expertise into EXTRA VIRGIN SKIN, the company she founded with her husband, Jack Bunce. Years of research and development have yielded a product line centered on meticulously sourced, hydroxytyrosol-rich, California-grown olive oil as its foundational component. The offerings include a serum boosted with bakuchiol, day and night creams blended with high-polyphenol EVOO, edelweiss-enhanced body and face creams, and other organic goods that feel deliciously light yet richly nourishing. extravirginskincare.com. J.R.

52 SUMMER

HEIDI MERRICK: EMMY LAINE PICKETT

GET THAT GLOW

Ojai-based Carolina Gramm of Extra Virgin Skin.

L AU R A D R A M M E R & A S S O C I AT E S

A Design-Driven Wine Country Compound with Equestrian Heart Set on 9.76± gated acres in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, this exceptional property is anchored by a rustic, Design-Driven California Ranch-style main residence. The property also includes a charming guest house and a 2 bedroom, 2 bath barn apartment, a 16-stall barn, arenas, pastures, round pen, and thoughtfully designed equestrian grounds, party barn, + garage parking for 13 cars, all just minutes from Santa Ynez and Los Olivos . 2145Edison.com 805.448.7500 Laura@LauraDrammer.com DRE: 01209580 LauraDrammer.com © 2026 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise systemof BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company,a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

Encircling the oval cabana pool, these spacious poolside accommodations have room to host up to six people.

THE WATER’S FINE

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Surfside Beach Chair, $70, lawnchairusa .com. Fieldbar Gin Trunk, $429, available at Field + Fort. Anna Inflatable Ring, $37, petites-pommes.com.

54 SUMMER

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

MUST HAVES

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

The RITZ-CARLTON BACARA is celebrating its 25th birthday with a multimillion-dollar renovation, including zero-edge saline pools outfitted with generous state-of-the-art cabanas. Pack your gear in a limited-edition hand-woven straw basket, a collaboration with Kilometre Paris ($582). 8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, 805-968-0100, ritzcarlton.com. C.W.

Learn about collectors of butterflies and moths, past and present. From the 18th century to the modern day, these charismatic insects have been objects of study and delight.

OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 7, 2026, Maximus Gallery 2559 Puesta del Sol • Santa Barbara • 805-682-4711 • sbnature.org

THE BOB BONIS ARCHIVE PRESENTS:

Before they were legends Rare trial proofs from the lost

photographs of The Beatles & The Rolling Stones 1964–1966

JUNE 20, 2026 THROUGH SEPT 17, 2026

DANIELLE RUBI

STYLE | CULTURE | WE LIVE IN PARADISE | TASTE | EVENTS

Lawren Howell’s El Paseo courtyard gallery is filled with a curated selection of art, ceramics, artisanmade furniture, and objects animated by Elena Stonaker’s hand-stitched flower sculptures.

SEEDS OF GROWTH

Artistic pursuits pushing us to feel a spark

SUMMER 57

HOLDING COURT

“The concept of presenting a curated space that feels like you’ve stepped into a collector’s home has appealed to me for a long time,” says Lawren Howell, the interior designer, stylist, and former Vogue editor who just opened HOWELL & CO. gallery in the El Paseo courtyard. Her roster of artists includes Ojai native ceramicist Mark Churchill, cocurator Nicole Alejandra Pierpont’s private collection from Mexico City, and felted exhibition posters made by her sister, textile artist Stevie Howell. And she’s found herself particularly enamored of chairs and tables by Los Olivos artist Chet Taylor. “My husband and I have been collecting wood slabs from fallen oaks in the Ojai Valley for years and making them into various furniture projects with different artisans,” Howell says. “There’s something about Chet’s interpretations that feel so cool and new. They’re the ultimate utilitarian object, but put together with such subtle connections and attention to detail that they become works of art you’d want to live with.” 30 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, howellandco.shop. ELIZABETH VARNELL

58 SUMMER

DANIELLE RUBI

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Gregory Parkinson patterned and ikat pillows; felted exhibition posters by Stevie Howell; Chet Taylor’s oak chairs beneath a handwoven tapestry by Stefan and Helena Galkowski; antique art and sculptures from Mexican artists with locally made ceramics; a pair of Brittany Sanders paintings.

SUMMER 59

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Sanford Biggers, photographed by Matthew Morrocco; Wheel of Foot in Mouth No. 3 (Song of Sappho) by Kathryn Andrews; Tonia Calderon.

60 SUMMER

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Boho-chic maven Julia Chaplin’s Psychedelic Now: A Collective Fantasy of Hope (Assouline, $75) is the perfect coffee-table book.

Interior of the Nautilus house, Naucalpan, Mexico, a whimsical shell-shaped residence designed by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain of Arquitectura Orgánica, built 2006–07.

NAUTILUS HOUSE: JAIME JACOTT

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Fifty years is a worthy milestone, and the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SANTA BARBARA (MCASB)—founded in 1976 by artists for artists—is marking the occasion with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Art Awards on July 12. That event not only raises crucial operating funds for the nonprofit institution, says Frederick Janka, president of the board of trustees, but also “is celebrating the past, present, and future of the museum and our impact on art history.” This year’s honorees for artistic excellence are Kathryn Andrews, Sanford Biggers, Tonia Calderon, and Mark Swanson, while Hamza Walker is being feted for his curatorial excellence and arts leadership. For the established artists like Biggers and Swanson, “MCASB offered early and critical support with solo exhibitions and their first publications,” Janka says, adding that both have gone on to open major midcareer shows. Looking forward, MCASB will collaborate with Andrews on public programs in the future and is also committed to a solo exhibition for emerging talent Calderon. 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, mcasantabarbara.org. J.T.

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

ART STARS

The I Montecito exhibit is the Montecito Country Mart’s love letter to the town it belongs to, as well as the greater Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it. Our town is aching with stories, and I was privileged to interview all sorts of people and be aided by prolific collectors like James O’Mahoney and historians like Hattie Beresford. Trish Davis, the history chair at the Montecito Association, is a local treasure and spent hours with me. More than 40 people contributed objects (a Yater Spoon, a Klentner Ranch polo saddle) and photos (a full-length polaroid of Julia Child). From textile designers to old silent film studio photos to surfboard shapers to architects to farmers and sign-carvers, Montecito is a place of natural beauty, sophistication, and cultural richness. We are one facet of the California dream, and this jewel-box exhibit hopes to encapsulate that spirit for a few months. Open Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. montecitocountrymart.com. OLIVIA JOFFREY

62 SUMMER

MEG SANDU

LOVE LETTER TO CITO

THE FINEST MONTECITO & SANTA BARBARA HOMES

WHERE ARCHITECTURAL PEDIGREE M E E T S NAT U R A L B E A U T Y

8 9 2 T O R O C A N Y O N R O A D • S A N TA B A R B A R A Offered at $10,750,000

C R I S T A L C L A R K E | 8 0 5 . 8 8 6 . 9 378 MONTECITO-ESTATE.COM | CRISTAL@MONTECITO-ESTATE.COM | DRE 00968247 ©2026 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: L.A. Dance Project’s Nayomi Van Brunt, Anthony Bryant, Daisy Jacobson, and David Adrian Freeland Jr. with Jacobson and Bryant.

L.A. DANCE PROJECT, the boundary-pushing company founded by Benjamin Millepied, is ushering in a new era of modern dance in Santa Barbara. Following appearances on June 12 and 13, set to Luciano Berio’s Sequenza series at the Esa-Pekka Salonen–led Ojai Music Festival, the company will stage a free public performance on June 16 at Stearns Wharf as part of its City of Dance series. And now a new initiative—the Santa Barbara Fund for New Choreography, founded by Millepied and Jennifer Smith—brings the dancers back to the tranquil coast in July. The fund will support new compositions intended to be presented by the company locally and also to be viewed by audiences further afield. “We’ve created this exciting initiative to support the development of original dance works in Santa Barbara that will ultimately tour internationally,” Smith says. A celebratory private seated dinner at a historic estate, including a performance, is slated for July 16 to kick off the new venture. Philanthropists and longtime supporters of the company Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining are cohosting the evening, as is Cindy Robinson Mullen. ladanceproject.org. E.V.

64 SUMMER

JOSH S. ROSE

SHORELINE STEPS

ON THE WING

MUSIC HATH CHARMS The MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST’s Summer Festival kicks off its roster of 100-plus concerts, master classes, and events on June 17 with a two-week High School Intensive for 75 young musicians, followed by six weeks of performances by MAW’s 150 international fellows and its 60 guest and teaching artists. As a culmination of the season, MAW’s Music Note Gala, headlined by six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, will take place on August 14 at the Bella Vista Estate in Summerland. The fundraiser will support full scholarships for the fellows, as well as Sing!, which serves more than 160 local children annually. musicacademy.org. J.T.

LOCAL LEGEND Meredith Brooks Abbott, Enduring Impressions ($50), sullivangoss.com.

66 SUMMER

Art, obsession, science— these themes run through THE COLLECTORS: A LIFE IN LEPIDOPTERA, the show of antique prints of butterflies and moths at the John and Peggy Maximus Gallery at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The images are bold and graphic, finely detailed and lyrical, with vivid gemlike colors that have lasted for centuries. Mostly from the 1700s and 1800s, they mark the beginning of the idea that insects were worthy of serious study. Through Sept. 7. sbnature.org. J.T.

CUE THE MUSIC Tickets are on sale for the PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL, which has expanded to two days at the Santa Barbara Polo Fields & Racquet Club. Headlining the multigenre happening from the lifestyle and hospitality brand are the Chainsmokers, T-Pain, and Zedd, as well as Palm Tree Crew cofounder Kygo, with participation by the All-American Rejects, Loud Luxury, Natalie Jinju, Frank Walker, and Myles O’Neal. Says cofounder Myles Shear, “It offers an elevated, one-of-a-kind experience that captures everything that makes the California coast special.” Oct. 10–11. palmtreemusicfestival.com. J.T.

Palm Tree Music Festival has a can’tmiss lineup for fall.

The top three shows we’re looking forward to this Bowl Season: Rainbow Kitten Surprise, July 19; Sierra Ferrell, August 6; La Lom, August 30. sbbowl.com.

Kevin Costner performing at the One805Live! event.

Great music, a fun evening, and a way to benefit the community. And now it’s twice as long: This year ONE805LIVE! takes place over two days at actor Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams oceanside estate in Summerland. The annual concert supports Santa Barbara County’s First Responders with mental health services, essential equipment, and additional resources, and a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. Rocking the stage on Friday are boogie-blues star George Thorogood, the Format, Alan Parsons Supergroup, the Four Tops, and Samantha Ronson. Saturday’s concert features Rock & Roll Hall of Fame duo Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, the Fray, and Kevin Costner with Modern West. Sept. 25–26. one805.org. J.T.

68 SUMMER

PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL: KURSZA

ROCKERS UNITE

Dive Deeper

with a Local Expert w e a lt h m a n a g e m e n t

For 30 years, we have helped clients navigate changing markets with clarity, confidence and poise. With more than $2 billion in assets under management, we are proud to be the largest locally based wealth management team on the Central Coast. We believe trust is built face to face, by listening closely, understanding what matters most, and using our decades of experience and expertise to craft strategies that can adapt and grow so you reach your goals with confidence. We invite you to dive in and experience a new world of financial management.

Investment Management

Philanthropic Services

m o n t e c i t o w e a lt h . b a n k

Estate Planning

| (805) 564-0298

Celebrating 30 years of experience and perspective

Santa Barbara’s Local Appliance Dealer Family Owned Since 1966

409 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara | (805) 569-5373 www.reidsappliances.com

STYLE | CULTURE | WE LIVE IN PARADISE | TASTE | EVENTS

STUDIO ARNA

Gulf prawns with vadouvan aioli and lemon at Merci in the Montecito Country Mart.

COASTAL CLASSICS

Top-of-the-list culinary choices for summer SUMMER 71

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Pinks and creams create a calm, French-influenced café space that transitions effortlessly to night; coowners Elizabeth Colling and Nicholas Barainca; burrata with charred asparagus and sorrel.

Flaky, expertly folded apple galettes, golden clusters of homemade granola in impossibly chic packaging, frothy chai lattes, and lots of baby pink decor—these are all hallmarks of the current iteration of MERCI, a French-style bakery in the Montecito Country Mart. But there’s more in store for this little shop, which has been under the stewardship of co-owner and chef Nicholas Barainca for the last few years. His partner and cofounder, chef Elizabeth Colling, left Santa Barbara to spend several years in France. Colling recently returned to Montecito, and she and Barainca have big plans to expand Merci. They’re keeping what’s already been working—breakfast starting daily at 8 a.m. and a full lunch menu of soups, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and plates served until 3 p.m. But expect dinner service in the weeks to come, with a fresh dose of French infusion. Scallop crudo with calamansi mignonette and beef tartare with dijonaise and green lentils are examples of standouts to start. Cavatelli dotted with chanterelles in a rich beurre blanc or a classic steak au poivre are on offer as mains, plus a pitch-perfect espresso crème soufflé as a sweet finish. 1028 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, mercimontecito.com. C.W.

72 SPRING

STUDIO ARNA

A TOUCH OF PARIS

2026 MUSIC NOTE GALA Music Academy of the West presents Audra McDonald , six-time Tony Award winner and star of HBO’s The Gilded Age, in a benefit evening celebrating music education.

Honoring Cheryl Goldberg, Founding Contributor to the Music Academy’s Music Education Center

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 BELLA VISTA ESTATE, SUMMERLAND SINGLE TICKETS AND TABLES NOW ON SALE | MUSICACADEMY.ORG/GALA

RIGHT: Eric W. Spivey of the Julia Child Foundation. BELOW LEFT: Chef Diego Moya of Little Mountain.

COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF he Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts toasted to the chef’s legacy with gatherings in and around Montecito. Festivities kicked off at one of more than 80 SANTA BARBARA CULINARY EXPERIENCE events with a dinner at Hill House, designed by Robin Donaldson of Donaldson + Partners, in celebration of Bobby Stuckey, last year’s Julia Child Award recipient. Within the striking interior topped with a living garden roof guests enjoyed a multicourse meal. “Julia would have loved to have been here tonight. She would have been trying all the different foods and back with the chefs,” said Eric W. Spivey, chair of the foundation. sbce.events. J.R.

74 SUMMER

INGRID BOSTROM

Celebrating Julia Child’s Legacy in Montecito

“Julia Child helped create the American industry of food and wine.” Bobby Stuckey

ABOVE RIGHT: Chef Suzanne Goin of A.O.C. in Los Angeles and 2025 Julia Child Award recipient Bobby Stuckey. LEFT: Chef Evan Funke and Valerie Rice.

Daniel Kim of Monte’s; Evan Funke of Funke, Mother Wolf, and Felix; Diego Moya of Little Mountain; Massimo Falsini of Caruso’s; Meave McAuliffe of Rory’s Place in Ojai; and Ben Spungin of Alta Group in Monterey presented courses that showcased technique and California’s best ingredients in the most dazzling of preparations, like Kim’s Korean miso-infused bagna cauda with crudités grown at nearby Rincon Hill Farm and McAuliffe’s wood-fired rib eye with Cortez bottarga butter. Carlin Karr, wine and beverage director of Frasca Hospitality Group, curated the perfect wine pairing for each course. J.R.

75 SUMMER

Coyote’s Market stocks local meat and seafood, packaged goods, pottery and ceramics, and other art and textiles.

Earth-toned symbols frame the doorway of COYOTE’S MARKET, an unassuming new grocery from husband-and-wife team (and Santa Barbara natives) Peter and Caroline Hernandez. The images, designed by Eloi Studio, signal a return to an older way of thinking: The market’s ethos is based on what can be caught, raised, and farmed in and around the Central Coast. The shop prioritizes locally raised meat, including from the Hernandez family ranch; wild-caught, sustainable seafood; and chic pantry items from neighboring artisans. Motley Crew sausages from Buellton stock the freezer, and filet mignon from cattle on the Kiani Preserve in Santa Ynez is frequently on hand. Strawberries from Frecker Farms in Carpinteria glow at the bottom of a refrigerated unit, while pottery from Wilder Ceramics in Ojai and Keymer Studio in Santa Barbara grace the wooden shelves. Need a bottle of wine for a balmy evening? You’ll find Camins 2 Dreams Grüner Veltliner, from one of the region’s acclaimed female winemakers, chilling next to a bulk tank of Luretik’s Meyer lemon field-blend olive oil. Pick up a loaf of bread, and your evening is complete. 4549-A Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, coyotesmarket.com. C.W.

76 SUMMER

SARA PRINCE

Shop hyperlocal at Coyote’s Market

Taking its place in the old Peabody’s venue, MONTE’S from chef Daniel Kim is already primed to become the new darling of Montecito. Barely two months in, the restaurant has already been added to the Michelin Guide. Rooted in the regenerative agriculture of Rincon Hill Farm in Carpinteria (see page 120), nearly every ingredient on the menu is sourced from that property. This hyperlocal ethos is the guiding force behind Endwell Hospitality, the ownership group known for their lauded venue One White Street, a restaurant similarly anchored by Rigor Hill Farm in upstate New York. Here, at Endwell’s first Central Coast restaurant, patio tables and a separate dining room define the indoor-outdoor space, which is cozy yet refined. The menu presents a trifecta of starters, shared plates, and mains, plus a selection of sides. Sourdough from Oat Bakery comes accompanied by cultured butter and Korean chives, which is woven into dishes like the Santa Rosa Island halibut crudo with a nori rice chip or prawn toast layered with kimchi and furikake. A spectacular main, the wild rice pork katsu, marries a Japanese staple with the farm’s own grain in the signature crispy crust. Order a glass of the Sta. Rita Hills Pence “PTG” Burgundian blend, a delicious chilled red, to pair with the pork or an equally showstopping Wagyu strip loin finished with black garlic A1 steak sauce. 1198 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-330-4590, montessb.com. C.W.

78 SUMMER

JACK DAHLIA

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Crudités from Rincon Hill Farm; patio dining with a fireplace; a perfect martini; the cheerful sign on Coast Village Road; nearly every vegetable and herb is grown on the farm.

New offerings complement the cozy atmosphere for dinner at Montecito Gourmet.

SAY CHEESE Helmed by Patrick Braid since 2016, MONTECITO GOURMET by Village Cheese and Wine has been a local favorite for decades. Following the historic Thomas Fire and debris flow, the café kept hungry fire and rescue crews fueled free of charge during recovery efforts and became a hub for residents. (The logo now features the lantern from the Old Historic Montecito Firehouse.) The newly refreshed space has an expanded evening menu in addition to wine, cheese, and deli sandwiches. Whether you’re grabbing a breakfast sandwich and coffee to go or tucking in for oysters and an affogato, the spirit of the place remains unchanged. montecitogourmet.com. CHARLOTTE BRYANT MEDINA

DID YOU KNOW? Field + Fort has its own in-house caviar: look for its new larder concept in Carpinteria opening later this summer.

80 SUMMER

ABOVE IT ALL Restaurateur Arnie Sturham has joined the crowd at Linden Square. His sky-high spot, ARNIE’S ROOFTOP BAR, is the perfect perch. As the name suggests, the outdoor space serves only libations. But guests are welcome to bring up any nosh from the Square’s excellent vendors, including a slice from the Bettina spin-off Tina’s Pizza, smash burgers and Belgian fries from Third Window, and tacos and burritos from Corazon Cocina Sur. The eclectic cocktail menu, led by Trina Vysniauskas-Armitage, features old-school classics with new-school twists, like a lemon drop lightened with lavender bitters, a ginger mule spiked with pineapple, and a paloma dosed with rosemary-infused syrup. Most mixed drinks can sub in Lyre’s offerings for an nonalcoholic option, while seasonally draft beers plus local wines by the bottle or the glass round out the focused menu. Plenty of succulents and greenery bring texture and brightness to the space, which also boasts a fireplace for happy hours that linger past sundown. 778 Linden Ave., Carpinteria, arniesrooftopbar.com. C.W.

NATALIE THOMSON

Signature drinks meld herbal influences with high-end spirits at Arnie’s Rooftop Bar.

All Aboard for Discovery.

Your next family adventur e starts here.

Now boarding for summer fun.

@NIGHT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

IT F OR WA R

Play Play it forward. Join us for a festive evening celebrating the power of play and possibility. Together, we can open doors for thousands of children and families, expanding access and igniting a lifelong love of learning.

Come play with us. Become a sponsor.

Sponsor MOXI@Night to secure your tickets and champion vibrant local education. Explore opportunities at moxi.org/give/moxi-at-night or contact development@moxi.org.

Special thanks to Co-Chairs Lily Hahn Shining + Belle Hahn.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Emma West Roldan in her new space in Sevilla Square; made-in-house grab-and-go items; the market includes everything from lozenges to Hot Wheels.

FRIENDLY FLORA

82 SUMMER

ERREN FRANKLIN

Drawing on her culinary background and community-minded perspective, Emma West Roldan—former chef and cofounder of Satellite—has opened her newest venture, BODEGA FLOWER GIRL. The neighborhood market and mini eatery is a welcome addition to Sevilla Square, just off lower State Street. Inside the airy corner space, customers will find products thoughtfully curated by Roldan herself—think local produce, prepared foods, beverages and imported wine, and unexpected items like Hot Wheels and playing cards. Along with housemade grab-and-go salads and bites, the small, vegetableforward food program and seating for up to 10 add to the bodega’s local vibe. As the name suggests, shoppers can also pick up flowers. “Bodega Flower Girl was inspired by corner markets across the globe, but the name pays tribute to my love for flowers,” Roldan says. “Flowers aren’t reserved for a certain time or occasion. They’re something that anyone can enjoy year-round.” Roldan takes an intentional approach to sourcing, selecting products that spark joy or foster a sense of belonging. “I want this to be a place of simple pleasures, whether that’s a toy or candy, a nourishing lunch, seeds to plant, or vegan cookie dough to bake later,” she says. “Most important is creating a space where everyone can feel seen and welcome—an inclusive place that celebrates local makers and farmers alongside diverse global goods.” 15 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, bodegaflowergirl.com. HANA-LEE SEDGWICK

“Discover what being truly organized means for you” Bridg Gardner trulyorganized.com

Truly Organized.indd 1

5/20/26 9:00 AM

NeuroField Neurotherapy.indd 1

5/23/26 10:29 AM

ELITE TENNIS TRAINING

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

in the heart of

CENTRAL COAST WINE COUNTRY! Adult and Junior High-Performance Camps Wine and Tennis Experiences Private Lessons

Emma West Roldan’s summer favorites from BOEDGA FLOWER GIRL Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

1. Greek Olive Oil by Psyche. 2. BFG grab-andgo salads (so many options)!

ENROLL TODAY! Call 805 434 9605 or book online: ttrtennis.com or visit mouratoglou.com/en/international/templeton/

3. Any Italian wine from our shelves.

6/1/26 12:20 AM

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

5. BFG’s mixed floral bouquets sourced locally from Heart Face Flowers (Fairview), Cosecha (Bulletin), and McGrath farms (Camarillo). Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Tile patterns to be excerpted for boxes

Tennis Ranch.indd 1

4. The Heritage Playing cards and a wooden cribbage board.

ERREN FRANKLIN

Templeton Tennis Ranch 345 Championship Lane, Templeton CA 93465

SUPPORT SBIFF’S FILM CENTER PROJECT AND NAME A SEAT AT THE NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART M C HURLEY FILM CENTER AT 916 STATE ST! PLEDGE PAYMENTS CAN BE PAID OVER 5 YEARS

$15,000 DONATION: OPTION FOR ONE TO TWO NAMES ON A SEAT IN A LOCATION OF YOUR CHOICE $5,000 DONATION: OPTION FOR A SINGLE NAME (OR FAMILY NAME) ON A SEAT SELECTED BY SBIFF MORE INFO AT SBIFFTHEATRES.COM/FILMCENTER OR CONTACT BEN@SBIFF.ORG

Summer 2026 at SBMA Remixed: Entwined Histories and New Forms Through August 30, 2026 Von Romberg and Emmons Galleries

Perceptual Shifts: Photographs from the Collection June 28 – September 20, 2026 Photography Gallery

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Staff Selections from the Permanent Collection Through September 6, 2026 Loeb Family Gallery

For Your Reference: Mungo Thomson Through October 25, 2026 Colefax Gallery

Visit SBMA.net Instagram and Facebook: @sbmuseart

Santa Barbara Museum of Art 1130 State Street Santa Barbara, California 93101

Museum hours: Tues – Sun, 11 am – 5 pm 1st Thurs, 11 am – 8 pm Closed Mondays and holidays

Images above, top to bottom: Tamara Gonzales, Pisac Tapestry No. 3, 2024. Alpaca and wool. Courtesy of the Artist and The Pit. Photo: Chris Hanke. Anthony Hernandez, Rome #17, 1999. Inkjet print. SBMA purchase with funds provided by PhotoFutures. © Anthony Hernandez. Courtesy of the artist and Yancey Richardson, New York. Carlos Mérida, Tehuanas, Oaxaca, from the portfolio, “Trajes Regionales Mexicanos,” 1945. Screenprint. SBMA, Gift of Bernard Lewin. Mungo Thomson, Volume 10. A Field Guide to Hummingbirds (still), 2024. Video installation with sound, 3 minutes, 13 seconds. SBMA, Purchase with funds provided by Kandy Budgor; Luria/Budgor Family Foundation. © Mungo Thomson.

Tierney Gearon’s visual diary of her personal collection of vintage Hermès towels becomes a traveling explosion of color, creativity, and a story that has been unfolding through her work for years Styled by Lawren Howell

THE MATADOR Timo Nuñez has been the face of flamenco and Fiesta since age 8, when he started dancing in historical locations like Casa de la Guerra for Old Spanish Days. The Santa Barbara native has traveled the globe representing the arte de flamenco, yet, he says, “to work with an artist of Tierney’s caliber close to home is rare. Participating in projects like this demonstrates how powerful traditional culture can be.”

HANGING OUT Sheila Márquez, model and mother, picnics with her sons, Lucius and June, at her home in Ojai (with an added spurt of joy from Louisa Moller). “Tierney is very fascinating. She locks in on a moment; she has a vision and directs her surroundings to capture that perfect imperfect moment while finding the most beautiful light.” OPPOSITE: Born and raised in Santa Barbara, retailer Kate McMahon’s beach lifestyle is effortless, casual, and classic. “Tierney is a true creative. She’s intuitive, quirky, and knowing. Trusting in the spontaneity of the process, her unique vision comes alive.” Clothing by COVET, paired with vintage Levi’s.

WRAPPED UP Ana Pincus is a documentary filmmaker and advocate whose work focuses on socially conscious storytelling, centering women’s voices, resilience, reclamation, and empowerment. “I deeply enjoyed experiencing the magic of Bellosguardo and the sense of freedom and creativity the location inspires.” Dress by Tracy Feith. OPPOSITE: Heidi Clements is a 65-year-old pro-aging writer and content creator who believes the term antiaging needs to be removed from messaging. “Society treasures old things like these stunning Hermès towels—but not old women. Age makes things valuable and women invisible. It’s an exhausting double standard and the reason I am so proud to be a part of this project.” Dress by ace&jig.

“Tierney especially inspires me as a woman using her voice through her art.” Ana Pincus

Caption TK.

“This group of portraits is the ultimate example of Tierney’s expertise; seeing how she selects towels from her beloved stockpile, and directs people to interact with them, is all part of what makes this collection interesting and autobiographical.” Lawren Howell

LE SURF Having lived in the Ojai/ Santa Barbara region for more than a decade, the Howell-Moller and GettyOster families have always gravitated to Rincon Point. Whether for its beach parties at Bates or bonfires at the river mouth, it has been the backdrop for years of magical memories of escaping the summer heat. FROM LEFT: Roman Oster; Louisa Moller; Lawren Howell; Anna Getty; Scott and Bodhi Oster; Peter, Kris, and Phoebe Moller.

PLAYING THE FIELD Postpractice at the barn with the Quite on Z polo team members (from left) Alecia Seidler, Santino Magrini, Patrick Uretz, Inda Llambias, and Hilario Figueras. OPPOSITE: Argentine polo players Santino Magrini and Hilario Figueras in Carpinteria.

SUMMER 97

HIDE AND SEEK Kris Moller and Scott Oster swing Bodhi on the sand. OPPOSITE: Phoebe and Peter Moller’s backyard tepee fun.

WILD THINGS Sheila Márquez wears vintage Lilly Pulitzer with a vintage Hermès towel. OPPOSITE: When Belle Hahn met Tierney earlier this year, “we just connected instantly on mental health and beauty and all things Hermès towels.” She and her sister, Lily Hahn Shining, are benefactors of Bellosguardo and its recent restoration of the lath house. “So here we are—up in a tree—a whole garden full of characters and biodiversity!” Don’t miss The Collection , a gallery show of Tierney Gearon’s summer project at Howell & Co., June 6 through the end of August.

A view of the centerpiece swimming pool and curving interior wall, which is fringed with 49 “whale vertebrae.” OPPOSITE: Stairs leading to the second-floor kitchen and living room level, with walls from handcut cedar shingles enmeshed with original trees on the property.

SECON

E V A W D

Novelty architecture from the 1970s finds itself at the Whale House

Written by Josef Woodard Photographs by Alex Noble

The living room hearth, with a wraparound couch facing a riverrock-lined fireplace and bleached wooden beams for form and function. OPPOSITE: The kitchen has been updated with onyx counters and marble floors.

or nearly 50 years, the architectural phenom known as the Whale House has been the stuff of myth and mystery in Santa Barbara. The entirely wood-shinglewrapped structure in Mission Canyon, the brainchild of the architect Michael Carmichael, is one of the more idiosyncratic architectural wonders on the West Coast, let alone in the 805 area. The whale-like building has come in and out of public focus and traffic over the years, becoming more public when it went up for sale in 2023 and was featured in various publications and on HGTV’s Zillow Gone Wild, with host Jack McBrayer ogling and exploring the place. The house is currently enjoying a rebirth and a rebranding thanks to the passionate efforts of Josh and Marley Raab. The new owners spent two years renovating the historic structure and have become its stewards. They are keepers of the enterprise now officially known as the Cetacean House LLC (cetacean: a marine mammal of the order Cetacea, such as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise). Aside from some practical Airbnb rentals, they have ambitious plans to use it for music performances, fundraisers, activist pursuits, and other community-based causes. For many in the area, the Whale House has long been a teasing point of interest, glimpsed across the creek and through the trees from Mission Canyon Road. I have been in the ranks of the curious from childhood, as was Marley, who, as a 5-year-old, passed by on her way to summer camp at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. When the house came on the market three years ago, she urged her husband to make an offer. For the chance to own the house, “it was love at first sight with my wife,” Josh says, noting that she “really wanted the place. I said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’” When the deal finally went through a year later, the

“The house was love at first sight with my wife.” Josh Raab

SUMMER 105

PORTRAIT: EMMA MARIE JENKINSON

planning and work began in earnest. After staying overnight, I have graduated from inquisitive outsider to enthralled insider. Although it was only a 10-minute drive from my house (near Elings Park) to this special property, it seemed a world away. As the house’s caretaker, Marcella Guaman, told me before my visit, the place “is magical. It embraces you like a hug.” Duly transfixed, I am now officially a Whalehead. Carmichael’s creation invites an odd array of associations. Call it a Gaudi meets Greene & Greene meets Lord of the Rings meets Whole Earth Catalog mentality. Imbued with the idealism and radicalism of an off-the-grid ’70s mindset, Carmichael spent five years working on his dream project, aided by 20 artisans (who were actually his art students); he had already finished the unorthodox Wave House on the coast north of Refugio Beach, in 1976. There are few right angles here; it’s all about swooping lines and curving forms, from the hand-carved biomorphic exterior to interior surfaces. Inside, the structure is a microcosmic realm unto itself. Walls seem to morph, powered by their own design whims. Portholes appear at random intervals (in a house with 270 windows), and a narrow 75-foot-long pool winds through a tunnel to a grotto-like space suitable for napping and other activities. A metal perimeter on top of the wavy walls represents the whale’s spine with 49 “vertebrae,” but it also suggests an undone zipper. The dramatic pool area is the centerpiece of the ground-floor area of enclosed living space, which rises three more floors, beyond the kitchen and living room to a master bedroom outfitted with a showcase shower—sporting four separate nozzles and considered the “heart of the whale”—adjacent to a hot tub. Another bedroom suite occupies the top floor, and a guesthouse sits in the lower corner of the property. As he got deeper into the project, Josh—an editor who has worked

with Al Gore, Netflix, and other high-profile connections—realized he wasn’t doing a renovation. “I was doing a restoration,” he says. “Places like these don’t really exist. They couldn’t build this today. We’ve thought a lot about what it would cost to build now, even if you could get it permitted.” The Raabs’ redo involved “taking it from what my contractor called a ‘novelty home’ to a real home that had working heating and waterproofing” and was aligned with code. “Before us, it was kind of just a sculpture that you could live in. And now it feels like a little bit more of a home. It’s totally livable now. We’re the first people with an Instagram [@santabarbarawhalehouse] for the house. We’re the first people who have turned it into a thing. It was pretty private before.” Small touches in the remodel confirm the couple’s points of view. They minimized the maritime elements in the existing design and

emphasized the sea-creature orientation of Carmichael’s original concept to make it “more whale and less whaling.” On the low overhang leading to the sauna, lined with fastidiously carved cedar panels, hangs a warning sign: “Cultivate awareness—watch your head!” The sign originally said “Danger,” notes Josh, but Marley wanted to soften the harshness of that word. “So now we’re making hats with that phrase. They’re gonna say, ‘Cultivate awareness.’” Helping with the extensive glass for the project was Steve Handelman, who had been involved in the original work. Expert plant advice came from comedian Eric Wareheim (known for the Tim and Eric TV and film franchise) and was paired with landscaping elements contributed by Marley and landscaper Steve Hanson. Music has naturally been a part of this space. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam lived here for a time, and the

The main bedroom, with a porthole window and rock foraged from the adjacent Mission Creek. OPPOSITE: New owners Josh and Marley Raab in the spiraling stairway leading up to the bedroom levels.

SUMMER 137

The interior of the guesthouse at the far end of the pool level, which is considered the tail of the whale and features a piano of unorthodox design.

“We talk about it as a world-building space where creatives come to think up new ideas.”

Josh Raab

Raabs inaugurated a slowly growing list of performances with one by Uruguayan singer-songwriter Juan Wauters. Subsequently, the Whale has hosted Carlos Niño (producer for Andre 3000) and Maria Taylor (muse for the musician Conor Oberst), with more to come. “There’s something here when you have these events,” Josh says. “You have a childlike feeling, especially when you multiply that with 50 people.” The Whale House has also served as a residence for guests of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and become a New Year’s Eve roost for Meta execs seeking a “psychedelic house” for the occasion. In support of the Raabs’ activist interests, the property has hosted a fundraiser for a Chumash bioregional center and will do so for upcoming events for the founder of Greenpeace and the environmental “good trouble” makers at Climate Defiance. The nature and function of the Whale House are still evolving. For now, Josh sees it as “a community space, a community bathhouse. We talk about it as a world-building space where creatives come to think up new ideas and think up new realities.” He adds, “The role Marley and I have—and that this place reflects in us—is letting people at least imagine different ways of being, whether it’s doing their song or whatever they’re doing. It’s about opening up the blinders a bit, so we’re not so tunnel vision on a really dark future. That’s really the driving force here, just opening the doors to people who really are excited about alternative options.” •

The Whale House featured in the Summer 1978 issue of Santa Barbara Magazine.

SUMMER 109

The entrance to the house, designed as the head of the whale, with wavy cedar-shingled exterior, river-rocklined entryway for the mouth, and windows as eyes. OPPOSITE: The showpiece indoor-outdoor 75-foot swimming pool was converted to a saltwater system, leading into an indoor grotto with swim-up bar.

SUMMER 135

THE NARRATOR Jessie Homer French sees beauty in the ruin

Written by John Connelly Photographs by Sam Frost

Jessie Homer French seated in her Ojai studio with her easel, paints, and works in various stages of progress. OPPOSITE: Blowout, 2020, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches. Collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody. Courtesy of the artist, Massimo De Carlo Gallery, and Various Small Fires gallery. .

A hallway in Homer French’s studio, featuring artwork by close friend Billy Al Bengston, an iconic Southern California artist and important artistic influence. OPPOSITE: Homer French at her work table wearing her signature gold rings with an assortment of her handmade flyfishing lures and a copy of her recent monograph catalog, published by SKIRA, titled Jessie Homer French: Fish, Fire, and Death.

essie Homer French is a fiercely spirited 86-yearold visual artist who paints landscapes celebrating natural wonder while pointing to the spoils of human intervention. She usually includes a system of layers revealing both the seen and unseen—what one finds beneath the surface. Fire, wildlife, stealth bombers, wind farms, cemeteries, and symbols of nuclear power feature prominently in the work. Fish, in particular, hold a fascination for the artist, who caught her first smallmouth bass with her bare hands at age 3. An avid fly-fisher, she used to make her own colorful, otherworldly lures, which she proudly showed off during a visit to her new home in the Ojai Valley. Her cheerful studio, which she calls her “granny suite,” is filled with colorful, idiosyncratic collectibles and polychromatic objects, including vintage furniture she painted in the 1970s. Homer French loves to paint her immediate surroundings, and her latest body of work features landscapes from Lake Casitas to the

Los Alamos post office. Born in New York City, Homer French moved with her parents to a rustic area of the Adirondacks at age 5. An only child, she was free to roam and explore the wilderness, which cemented her lifelong engagement and fascination with nature. By 18, she was back in the city, modeling professionally (she appeared in the first Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue) with plans to become a full-time artist. Her first marriage, to an actor, brought her to Los Angeles. Following a divorce, she met her second husband, Robin French, a British talent agent and movie producer whose clients included Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlon Brando. The couple bought a house in Coldwater Canyon in Beverly Hills and entertained Robin’s Hollywood clients and L.A.-based artists like Charles Arnoldi, Don Bachardy, Joe Goode, and Ed Ruscha. This era ignited Homer French’s interest in fire, especially its beauty, its danger, its destructiveness, and its role in renewal. “I was hiking at a

friend’s ranch in Coldwater Canyon in the early ’80s,” she says, “and I saw these controlled burns…and I thought it was really, really beautiful. And then I started painting fire paintings after that.” Homer French is self-taught, and she credits a friend, painter and sculptor Billy Al Bengston, for giving her a copy of Ralph Mayer’s The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques, which she learned from and still refers to today. Her informal training has paid off in a style that is both bright and optimistic while remaining thoroughly ambiguous in its subversiveness. “I don’t like heavy-handed political stuff,” she has said. “I come at it sideways.” Although her work, at first glance, can appear naive or folkish, she can also be seen in the context of a long line of successful, sophisticated female artists with limited formal training, such as Leonora Carrington and Frida Kahlo. Asked about her influences, she cites both American primitives (Grandma Moses and Horace Pippin come to mind) and books. “I have lots and lots and lots of art books,” she says.

SUMMER 115

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A vintage desk set that Homer French painted in the ’70s, with an artist cart and dollhouse nearby; family photos, collectibles, and artist books in the kitchen work area of the “granny suite”; treasured memorabilia; a portrait of Robin French; Homer French’s bed with one of her “Mapestry” artworks above; Food Chain is a depiction of the natural predator-prey relationship often portrayed her work; a portrait of Homer French from the period she worked as a professional model in New York City.

SUMMER 117

A Homer French painting of the area around the Salton Sea, featuring tilapia, a chuckwalla, and key geographical markers, including the San Andreas Fault and nearby Joshua Tree National Park.

FROM TOP: Afternoon shadows on the wall of Homer French’s Ojai studio; her paint-caked white Dickies.

The longevity of her artworks is an ongoing concern for Homer French. “I used to use paints and stuff, and not use them correctly, and not do it right. So they wouldn’t last forever. But now I think my paintings will last a long time. I dry everything right, and I let everything dry for six months. I use the right stuff [a professional-grade mineral-based varnish].” In her new home, this process requires going the extra mile. “I discovered when I moved here, because of the dampness, I have to close up my granny suite, turn on the heat to 80, and go stay somewhere else for two nights.” When her husband retired, the couple moved to Vancouver Island, then later to the California desert. After his death, she relocated to Ojai to be near her family. Dressed in her paint-caked white Dickies, she proudly shows off her hands adorned with many rings. “I wear these because years ago I read that gold rings prevent arthritis.” Homer French, who describes herself as “a regional narrative painter,” creates paintings with an artistic maturity that can be incisive yet touching. Her cemetery scenes often depict the carefully and freshly adorned dead below ground, happy and content in their coffins. Her series of rural post offices was inspired by attempts to defund and privatize the U.S. Postal Service. “I use the Postal Service,” she says. “I go there every week. Right? Mail stuff. So I love post offices. I think they’re beautiful. You could go and visit them all over America, and they’re really special.” Still, she might be best known for her burning landscapes and symbolic structures, including oil derricks. Her works are timely and respond to her immediate landscape and the current political and social climate. Asked how she feels about the possibility of Santa Barbara’s oil derricks coming back online, her response is succinct: “Not good. I remember when the oil rigs were built. I remember being on the beach and seeing them coming. It looked like a sci-fi movie with these creatures coming toward you.” •

SUMMER 119

The regenerative Rincon Hill Farm sits between the foothills and coastline of Carpinteria.

E H T E R E WH

LAND LEADS Inside Rincon Hill Farm’s regenerative approach to farming and food Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick Photographs by Danielle Rubi

Seasonal bounty from the farm. OPPOSITE: More than 50 varieties of plants, trees, herbs, and flowers are represented.

n a region where farmers markets are part of daily life and eating local is second nature, Rincon Hill Farm feels right at home. Set between the coastline and foothills of Carpinteria, the regenerative farm is rooted in a long-term vision: to work the land in a way that keeps ecosystems in balance, enhances biodiversity, and produces food as nourishing for the earth as it is for the people it feeds. Rincon Hill Farm is part of the West Coast expansion of Endwell Hospitality, the team behind New York’s One White Street and Rigor Hill Farm. Bringing their farm-driven culinary model to California, they founded the farm to supply their restaurants and market, including Monte’s in Montecito and the forthcoming The Palms and Rincon Hill Market in Carpinteria. When Endwell Hospitality discovered the eight-acre parcel in 2023, however, it was far from the flourishing farm it is today. At the time the land functioned primarily as horse pasture, but the group saw its potential. “When we found the property, most of the land was pretty barren and depleted—an avocado grove and farmhouse were in place, but not much else,” says Ryan Sohn, founder and CEO of Endwell Hospitality. “We knew revitalizing the land would take time, but we committed to rebuilding from the ground up, slowly and with intention.” With longevity in mind, Endwell Hospitality employed a small team to replenish the land, restore its native ecology, and support the

surrounding environment using regenerative and organic principles, including cover cropping, composting, minimal soil disturbance, and the strict avoidance of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. “Our goal is to support balance in our systems, and a big part of that is continually increasing biodiversity across the property,” says Chloe Lobdell, farm director. “Rather than fighting harmful bacteria or insects, we focus on supporting the beneficial organisms and wildlife that strengthen the ecosystem. By creating healthy habitats and encouraging natural balance, we trust nature to handle the rest.” As part of this holistic approach, the farm embraces JADAM, a Korean farming philosophy rooted in building healthy, microbe-rich soils through naturally derived materials and techniques. “It’s a natural, organic approach to inoculating the soil, cultivating healthy microbes from natural items

like potatoes, helping everything to grow more resilient. I like to think of it as a probiotic for the soil,” says Tim King, the farm’s director of mycology and regenerative systems. Although it all sounds straightforward in theory, regenerative agriculture is never a quick, one-sizefits-all solution. “You have to fine-tune everything to the land itself, taking into account the specific site, climate, and even the season,” King says. After several years, however, the team has transformed the property into a thriving ecosystem, now home to more than 50 varieties of plants, trees, herbs, and flowers. “We grow everything from daikon, cone cabbage, and Korean leeks and chives, to beans, root vegetables, strawberries, and more than 30 types of citrus fruits,” Sohn adds. Much of what is planted reflects the needs and culinary interests of executive chef Daniel Kim, who walks the farm “at least once a week,” he says, to “stay connected to what’s growing and understand where everything is in its season.” Other crops are purposefully chosen for the restaurant menus and beneficial impact. “What sets us apart is our willingness to dedicate space to plantings that support both the ecosystem and the kitchen,” Lobdell says. “For example, we harvest fava leaves, beans, and flowers from our cover crops—all of which are edible. Many of our beneficial habitat zones for insects also include perennial flowers that become edible garnishes. Every decision is made to support the long-term vitality of the land and maximize the

SUMMER 123

Open-flame cooking at the farm; chef Daniel Kim’s coal-roasted cone cabbage (opposite) with tofu puree and smoked shiitake in process.

SPRING 109

Dried mushrooms line the fermentation room. OPPOSITE: The farm’s intensive mushroom program includes growing more than seven core varieties.

The renovated farmhouse serves as a hospitality space.

value of each planting, because ultimately, we feel that’s what produces the highest-quality ingredients too.” Extra produce from the farm is often transformed through fermentation, creating house-made ingredients that extend the life of the season while adding complexity to dishes. “What I love most is that fermentation reduces waste while creating entirely new layers of flavor—acidity, umami, funk, brightness—that elevate a dish without overpowering,” Kim says. “It also reflects patience and craftsmanship, which I think fits beautifully within a farm-to-table philosophy.” Experimentation is another cornerstone of the farm. Lobdell, King, and the rest of the team are constantly trying new techniques and plantings, including a “syntropic food forest,” where trees, shrubs, crops, and ground cover grow together to simulate a natural ecosystem. The farm’s ambitious mushroom program, led by King, includes growing some seven varieties, such as king trumpet, maitake, lion’s mane, and shiitake—the latter maturing on logs in the shade of an avocado orchard. “A lot of what we grow feeds directly into chef Daniel’s Asianinfluenced cuisine, but we also have the freedom to follow our curiosities and interests,” King says. “That balance— working hard yet having fun with it—is at the heart of what we do.” Today the lush rows of crops, fruit trees, and thriving biodiversity make it nearly impossible to imagine this place as once-desolate pastureland. But beyond its beauty, Rincon Hill Farm reflects a broader evolution in food culture—one in which farming with a respect for the land is becoming just as important as what makes it onto the plate. “Our goal extends beyond growing produce for our restaurants,” Sohn says. “It’s about nourishing the land as much as growing quality ingredients, because when ecosystems thrive, everything else benefits too.” •

“When ecosystems thrive, everything else benefits too.” Ryan Sohn

SUMMER 113

A Hollister Ranch beach shack from the 1960s epitomizes the Southern California indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with a deck for sunbathing and the ocean just steps away.

he HOLLISTER RANCH BEACH SHACKS, haphazard structures of driftwood and other salvaged materials, were hardly things of beauty, but they do represent a bygone era of Santa Barbara surf history that began with the legendary waves that broke along eight miles of shore on the 14,400 acres owned by the Hollister family. Initially, in the 1950s, a handful of local surfers kept knowledge of the place to themselves, but in the next decade, when word began to spread and out-of-towners arrived, landowner Clinton Hollister (so the story goes) made a deal with the fledgling Santa Barbara Surf Club—which had Renny Yater as president, a board of directors, and $25 dues—that members could have access if they kept vandals out. By the ’60s, their shoreside huts had gone up, providing casual shelters for gear and overnights stays with easy access to renowned surf breaks like Razor Blades, Drake’s, and Cojo Point. Then, around 1970, as the ranch was developed into 100acre private parcels, the shacks disappeared—destined to live on only in photographs and surfing lore. J.T.

130 SUMMER

JEFF KRUTHERS

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING

192_COVER_SPINE.indd 133

M A G A Z I N E

6/4/26 3:09 PM

Sheila Márquez at home

192_COVER_SPINE.indd 134

M A G A Z I N E

6/4/26 3:10 PM