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presented by:
Natalie Grubb For details, see page 2
NEWLY LISTED 975 MARIPOSA LANE MONTECITO ESTATE $5,495,000
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independent real estate
OCTOBER 29, 2015
realestate.independent.com
HUGE OCEAN VIEWS
OPEN THIS SUNDAY
(11/01/2015)
1269 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR OPEN 1-4PM
975 MARIPOSA LANE OPEN 2-4PM
990 MIRAMONTE DR #5 OPEN 1-4PM
$1,199,000
$5,495,000
$565,000
ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS SEA MEADOW ESTATE
$5,250,000
11 UNITS - WEST BEACH
HOPE RANCH EQUESTRIAN
$4,400,000
3,850,000
MONTECITO OCEAN VIEWS
MONTECITO GETAWAY
3BED/2BATH - GOLETA
PENDING
1,549,000
$785,000
VISIT US - GRUBBCAMPBELL.COM
GRUBBCAMPBELL@VILLAGESITE.COM
805.895.6226
FABled GABles
by Sarah Sinclair
by G. Vince Giovannoni G. vince Giovanonni
courtesy
MAke MyselF At HoMe
A Compact Condo at
Based on information from, among other sources, Survivors; Santa Barbara’s Last Victorians, a publication of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
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Original Owner: Harry & Eliza Ellen Hawcroft Year of Construction: 1889 Designer: Ralph Kinton Stevens Contractor: William Nickelson
realestate.independent.com
7610 Hollister Avenue #109 is currently for sale in Goleta, listed by Karen Spechler of Coldwell Banker. Reach Karen at 563-7265.
T
his simple one-and-a-halfstory Victorian house with high gabled roof, shiplap siding, and fish-scale shingles was designed by owner/builder Ralph Kinton Stevens and contractor William Nickelson in 1889. Several years before construction began, Stevens and his wife had acquired a Montecito farm at the corner of Sycamore Canyon and Cold Springs roads and used the property as a commercial nursery. In later years, this property became the botanical wonderland of Madame Ganna Walska, now known as her legendary Lotusland estate. The Stevenses’ son, Ralph Kinton Stevens Jr., became a well-celebrated landscape architect in Santa Barbara, for whom Stevens Park in the San Roque neighborhood is dedicated. His noted gardens include the Peabody estate, the 1949 master plan for UCSB, Casa del Herrero, Lotusland, The Biltmore hotel, and Franceschi Park on the Riviera. In the summer of 1889, shortly after construction finalized, the house was sold for $800 to Eliza Ellen Hawcroft and her husband, the noted blacksmith who was known as “Lord Harry” because of his deep English accent, stately bearing, and immaculate appearance. The couple resided at the property until Harry’s death in 1933. Since then, the home has had a select few owners, all of whom have taken part in maintaining the residence to its original charm and character.
OCTOBER 29, 2015
Address: 7610 Hollister Avenue #109 Status: On the Market Price: $339,000
519 Brinkerhoff Avenue ralph k. stevens
M
y friend Stephanie has a loud, distinctive laugh that makes me smile just thinking about it. She also has strong opinions on topics as varied as politics, literature, and beer. Steph doesn’t hold back on either her laughter or her opinions. So when she said to me last week, “I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” I wasn’t sure what the topic would be, but I was ready for a lively exchange. It turns out that Stephanie, like many Santa Barbara residents, can’t afford to buy a $14 million house, and she’s tired of reading about them in my column.“It’s depressing” she complained. “What about the rest of us?” We all know that Santa Barbara will never make anyone’s top-10 list of most affordable cities in which to buy a home. There are a lot of high-end properties, and I try to share a variety of styles, locales, and price ranges in this column. However, I figured it might be smart to pay attention to Steph’s complaint rather than debate her. So this week we’re visiting a one-bedroom Goleta condominium priced near the bottom of the available area listings at $339,000. It turns out that being at the bottom of the price range doesn’t mean one has to sacrifice. This cute condo has it all. It’s a corner unit at the back of The Grove, surrounded by a tall, cool forest of eucalyptus trees. Walking down the path to get to its front door is a magical few minutes of quiet solitude in dappled sunlight. Once inside, you’re in your own private retreat. Everything’s bright and clean: light walls, white carpet, and light-wood cabinets. You’ve got a blank canvas to create your own sweet space. This home is about 700 square feet, so there’s nothing spacious about it, but the condo is open and airy and makes smart use of the space. The kitchen is efficient and has a small dining room adjacent. The bedroom is much larger than many I’ve lived in, and it surprised me with a walk-in closet. The living room is big enough to get creative, and it even has a fireplace. The unit has its own washer/dryer and carport: luxuries that not all area houses offer. The patio provides a private spot to enjoy the eucalyptus grove views. Possibly the best features of all are the pool, hot tub, and community gym that are part of the complex. Located near Citrix and Dioji on Hollister Avenue and across from the Ellwood Bluffs, The Grove seems like an ideal location to enjoy the good life of the shops, restaurants, and amenities of the Good Land. This cute, quiet corner unit is priced to be within the realm of imagination of a single professional or maybe a couple who’s looking to downsize and simplify. I walked out happily considering the options that this compact condominium provides, and hoping that my friend Stephanie would agree.
independent real estate
the Grove in Goleta
realestate.independent.com OCTOBER 29, 2015
3111 Padaro Ln. | $14,600,000 beds 5 baths 4 Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
1530 Roble Dr. | $13,995,000 1530RobleDrive.com Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
FEATURED PROPERTY
880 Veronica Springs Rd. | $1,199,750 beds 3 baths 2 John A. Sener 805.331.7402
Price Upon Request 2733SycamoreCanyonRoad.com Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
27 Butterfly Ln. | $13,900,000 beds 5 baths 7 Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
1398 Oak Creek Cyn. Rd. | $13,650,000 1398OakCreekCanyonRoad.com Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
764 San Ysidro Ln. | $11,950,000 764SanYsidroLane.com Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
4555 Avenue Del Mar | $8,995,000 beds 4 baths 3 Gregg Leach 805.565.8873
424 Meadowbrook Dr. | $8,400,000 beds 7 baths 9 Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
308 Ennisbrook Dr. | $7,950,000 beds 4 baths 6 Susan Pate 805.895.9385
848 Park Ln. | $7,200,000 beds 6 baths 7 David/Jesse 805.455.2113
511 Las Fuentes Dr. | $6,450,000 beds 3 baths 4.5 Elberta Pate 805.895.0835
36 Hammond Dr. | $5,250,000 beds 4 baths 4 Grubb Campbell 805.565.8879
2169 Refugio Rd. | $5,200,000 beds 3 baths 3 Dana Istre 805.451.0033
1422 East Valley Rd. | $5,100,000 beds 5 baths 5.5 Patricia Griffin 805.565.4547
780 Rockbridge Rd. | $4,495,000 beds 4 baths 5 Pamela Regan 805.895.2760
709 Park Ln. | $3,750,000 709ParkLane.com Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
815 Ashley Rd. | $3,195,000 beds 4 baths 3 suding//murphy 805.455.5736
2885 Hidden Valley Ln. | $3,095,000 beds 4 baths 2 Mitchell Morehart 805.565.4546
835 Puente Dr. | 2,975,000 beds 5 baths 4 Brian King 805.452.0471
18 W. Victoria St. | $2,600,000 beds 2 baths 3 Emily Kellenberger 805.252.2773
43 Humphrey Rd. | $2,499,000 beds 2 baths 2 Jacqueline Walters 805.570.0558
1731 Las Tunas Rd. | $2,495,000 beds 4 baths 4 Louis/Susan 805.570.7274
853 Jimeno Rd. | $2,495,000 beds 3 baths 4 Tim Walsh 805.259.8808
1712 Anacapa St. | $2,295,000 1319 Plaza De Sonadores | $2,295,000 beds 3 baths 3 beds 3 baths 2.5 DorÊ/O’Neill/Krautmann 805.947.0608 Patsy Downing 805.895.3766
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independent real estate
818 Hot Springs Rd. | $15,000,000 beds 6 baths 9 Riskin Partners 805.565.8600
more online at
villageSite.coM | 805.969.8900 All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.
From the coast to the valley
Santa BarBara | Montecito | Santa Ynez
3 Las Alturas Rd. | $1,599,000 beds 4 baths 2 John Bahura 805.680.5175
612 Calle Granada | $1,595,000 beds 3 baths 3 Emily Kellenberger 805.252.2773
FEATURED PROPERTY
157 Loureyro Rd. | $1,475,000 beds 3 baths 2 Elizabeth Wagner 805.895.1467
2521 Banner Ave. | $1,595,000 beds 4 baths 4 Jim Witmer 805.448.3921
421 Seaview Rd. | $1,549,000 beds 2 baths 2 Grubb Campbell 805.565.8879
18 W. Victoria St. | $1,465,000 beds 1 baths 1.5 Tim Walsh 805.259.8808
3823 Sunset Rd. | $1,395,000 beds 3 baths 3 Louise/Sam 805.285.2008
754 El Rodeo Rd. | $1,349,000 beds 4 baths 3 Louise/Sam 805.285.2008
3025 Calle Noguera | $1,295,000 beds 3 baths 2.5 Toni Mochi 805.636.9170
6740 Sabado Tarde Rd. | $1,250,000 Isla vista Duplex Grubb Campbell 805.565.8879
1269 Mountain View Rd. | $1,199,000 beds 4 baths 2 Grubb Campbell 805.565.8879
5014 Whitney Ct. | $1,175,000 beds 3 baths 2.5 Elberta Pate 805.895.0835
730 Willowglen Rd. | $1,089,000 beds 4 baths 3 David M. Kim 805.296.0662
1809 Cliff Dr. #2 | $949,000 beds 2 baths 2 Charlene Nagel 805.689.5959
740 Via Reposo | $899,000 beds 3 baths 2 Jeff/Julie 805.895.2944
654 Cambridge Dr. | $889,000 beds 3 baths 2 David M. Kim 805.296.0662
895 Cheltenham Rd. | $879,000 beds 2 baths 2 David M. Kim 805.296.0662
161 Por La Mar Cir. | $869,000 beds 2 baths 2 Phil Shirinian 805.637.8722
7755 Jenna Dr. | $839,000 beds 4 baths 2 Carla Reeves 805.689.7343
Costa Rica, Las Mareas | $775,000 beds 3 baths 3.5 Susan Jordano 805.680.9060
1426 Laguna St. “A” | $699,000 1012 Palmetto Way “B” | $549,000 beds 1 baths 2 beds 3 baths 2 Doré/O’Neill/Krautmann 805.947.0608 Toby/Lynette 805.570.3573
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814 E. Pedregosa St. | $1,850,000 Triplex Calcagno & Hamilton 805.896.0876
realestate.independent.com
18 W. Victoria St. #310 | $1,999,000 beds 1 baths 2 Donald/Cecilia 805.895.3833
OCTOBER 29, 2015
909 Laguna St. | $2,150,000 beds 3 baths 3 Louise McKaig 805.285.2008
independent real estate
1746 Prospect Ave. | $2,195,000 beds 3 baths 4 Jeff/Julie 805.895.9498
more online at
vILLAGESITE.COM | 805.969.8900 All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.
45 Dearborn Pl. #34 | $399,000 beds 2 baths 1 Daniel Warnars 805.680.2712
From the coast to the valley
SANTA BARBARA | MONTECITO | SANTA YNEz
LOCALLYKNOWN
| NATIONALLYRECOGNIZED | GLOBALLYRESPECTED SHOWN BY APPT.
235 Santa Rosa Ln $3,195,000 The Easters 805.570.0403 Charming 3BD/2½BA Hedgerow home with separate guest house. Renovated & pristine! www.EasterTeamRealtors.com
1721 Santa Barbara St $3,100,000 Anderson/Hurst 805. 618.8747/805.680.8216 Stunning Hamptons down-to-the-studs remodel of a classic Victorian. 5BR/4 BA. December completion. www.AndersonHurst.com
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OPEN SUN 1-4
OPEN SUN 1-3
OPEN SUN 1-3
222 Mesa Ln $999,000 Rose Van Schaik 805.452.2051 3BD/2BA single story home w/ 1 car garage, 7840 SF (assr). Beach access.
1211 East Valley Rd $2,595,000 Yolanda Van Wingerden 805.570.4965 Elegant single level Montecito home effortlessly brings the outdoors to your doorstep w/ soaring wood-beam ceilings &walls of glass. 3BD + office/4BA, incl spacious att guest studio & workshop, on 1 acre. www.1211EastValley.com
1006 E Canon Perdido St $949,000 Strand-Spieler/Hughes 805.895.6326 Totally remodeled. 3BD, large bonus rooms/ garage. Vista views!
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OCTOBER 29, 2015
SHOWN BY APPT.
SHOWN BY APPT.
123 Bath St A-7 $895,000 Drew Stime 805.452.5053 Highly desirable West Beach 1BD/1½BA in small gated Spanish styled complex. Turn-key unit has been remodeled & features top of the line finishes, pool/spa, sauna, outdoor BBQ area & a gated 2 car garage. 1½ blocks to beach. www.CoastalRanch.com
517 W Quinto St #A $785,000 Brooke Ebner 805.453.7071 Cape Cod style, stand alone condo lives like a single family home. One of 3 units, 2BD/2½BA home boasts beautiful wood floors, open living space, attached garage, private yard w/Spa, 2 large bedrooms, both en suite. www.BuyTheBeachSB.com
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SHOWN BY APPT.
Visit us online at bhhscalifornia.com Montecito ∙ 1170 Coast Village Road ∙ (805) 969-5026
| Santa Barbara ∙ 3868 State Street ∙ (805) 687-2666 | Los Olivos ∙ 2933 San Marcos Avenue, Suite 102 ∙ (805) 688-2969
© 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. CalBRE# 01317331
102 ± Prime Farm Land in Ventura County Green your crib
An easy Drought buster
Sherry Zolfahgari (805) 386-3748 | SherryZre@gmail.com | SherryZre.com
Representing Fine Properties Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties Since 1990
Cal BRE: 01060866
Get rebate for installing by Dennis Allen less than $30 and some much less. A popular WaterSense 1.5 gpm model by Niagara has received stellar customer reviews and costs only $8, yielding a payback of less than a year from savings on water bills. These calculations do not even factor in the energy savings from not having to run the water heater as much. The County of Santa Barbara and most municipalities here have a free showerheadexchange program—bring in an old showerhead, and you will receive a new 1.5 gpm gratis. If you haven’t already installed a 1.5 gpm WaterSense showerhead, the time is right: Save money, water, and energy, help the environment, and enjoy your showers more than ever. As we move ever deeper into drought cycles in California, imagine what the 7,300 gallons of shower water saved per family could mean for the water supply in our community as well as other communin ties throughout the state.
I
f you have an old toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons per flush, apply for the statewide toilet rebate at this website: saveourwaterrebates .com/toilet-rebates.html. As long as funding remains, you can receive $100 back when you purchase a new highefficiency toilet of 1.28 gallons per flush or less. — Madeline Ward, City of Santa Barbara
We invite readers to send us their water-saving strategies to share by emailing WaterSaver@ independent.com .
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high-efficiency toilet
realestate.independent.com
WAter-SAvinG tip of the Week
OCTOBER 29, 2015
I
n 1992, the federal government changed the maximum showerhead water flow from 5.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2.5 gpm, thereby cutting showering water use to less than half. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency created a voluntary labeling program to conserve water called WaterSense. It is similar to the Energy Star program, which promotes energy savings in home appliances and equipment. Both programs use independent, third-party labs for testing. For a showerhead to qualify for a WaterSense label, it must use no more than 2 gpm, plus meet strict user-satisfaction standards; specifically, that means a spray pattern that ensures complete, even coverage and an intensity or pressure delivery for effective rinsing of soap or shampoo. Fortunately, recent technologies have introduced air induction and vacuum booster components into showerhead designs so as to avoid the “low flow” feel. In fact, low gpm showerheads that used to be called “low flow” are now referred to as “high efficiency.” Showers account for 17 percent of residential indoor water use, or about 40 gallons per family per day on average. Based on average usage and the federal standard 2.5 gpm showerhead, shortening your daily shower by one minute will save 550 gallons per year. Switching your showerhead to a WaterSense label (2 gpm), however, cuts water consumption by 20 percent, or 2,900 gallons per year. Even better are the numerous models rated at 1.5 gpm and 1.25 gpm (some carry the WaterSense certificate) with respective water savings of 40 percent and 50 percent. Although the price tag can run as high as $80 for these water misers, the majority are
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WaterSense Labeling:
A Rare Opportunity! 5 parcels approximately totaling 102 acres of pristine and income producing agricultural land. Located in One of Ventura County’s Prime locations. Minutes to Camarillo, Moorpark, all major Schools, Shopping & Golf Courses. This rarely available location boasts approximately 84 acres of lemons, 13 acres of mandarin oranges and 2 + acres of avocados, with two secured water sources which includes 1000 shares of ZONE Water and Ventura County District water as a backup. A sensational opportunity to acquire a true gem nestled against beautiful Somis mountain ranges and blue skies. So many possibilities for this amazing location with 5 separate Assessor Parcel Numbers. Offered at $6,495,000
OPEN HOUSES Carpinteria 178 Serafin Street, 4BD/2BA, Sun 1-3, $995,000, Sotheby’s, Ted Quackenbush 805-637-1782
3111 Padaro Lane, 5BD/4BA, Sun 2-4, $14,600,000, Village Properties, Pamela Regan 805-895-2760 3375 Foothill Road #1114, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,200,000, Coldwell Banker, Hayley N. Hernandez 805-717-8868 4902 Sandyland Rd Unit #245, 1BD/1BA, Sun 1-4, $425,000, Keller Williams, Ruth Eggli 905-252-9763
realestate.independent.com OCTOBER 29, 2015
835 Puente Drive, 5BD/4BA, Sun 1-4, $2,975,000, Village Properties, Brian King 805-452-0471 974 San Marcos Road, 4BD/2BA, Sat 2-5 Sun 2-5, $799,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Brett Buschbom 805-451-9108
Noleta 239 Ribera Drive, 4BD/4BA, Sun 1-4, $1,149,000, Goodwin & Thyne Properties, Olesya Thyne 805-708-1917
62 Olive Mill Road, 3BD/2.5BA, Sun 2-4, $1,439,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Barbara Neary 805-698-8980 216 East Mountain Drive, 3BD/2BA, Sat 1-4 Sun 1-4, $1,449,000, Sotheby’s, Gene Archambault 805-455-1190
615 Las Perlas Drive, 4BD/2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $739,500, Sotheby’s, The Olivers 805-680-6524 5259 Rhoads Avenue, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $769,900, Keller Williams Realty, Dusty Baker 805-570-0102
Riviera
235 Santa Rosa Lane, 3BD/3.5BA, Sat 2-4 Sun 1-4, $3,195,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Barbara Neary 805-698-8980 Jennifer Easter 805-455-6294
1 Rubio Road, 3BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $1,580,000, Coldwell Banker, Scott McCosker 805-687-2436
4326 Calle Real #9, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1:30-4:30, $299,999, Coldwell Banker, Ruth Martinez-Infante 805-570-4646
462 Toro Canyon Road, 4BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $2,395,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Jo Ann Mermis 805-895-5650
3 Las Alturas Road, 4BD/2.5BA, Sun 2-4, $1,599,000, Village Properties, John Bahura 805-680-5175
4747 Camino Del Rey, 3BD/2BA, Sun 12-4, $655,000, Coldwell Banker, Geoff Rue 805-679-3365
546 San Ysidro Road B, 2BD/2BA, Sat 2-4, $1,350,000, Coldwell Banker, Holly McKenna 805-886-8848
112 Eucalyptus Hill Circle, 2BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,398,000, Tri-Star Realty, Carl Wuestehube 949-276-7325
401 Chapala Street #222, 1BD/1.5BA, Sun 11-4, $1,250,000, Village Properties, Calcagno & Hamilton 805-896-0876
5068 San Julio Avenue, 3BD/2BA, Sat 1-4, $889,900, Berkshire Hathaway, Bob Ratliff 805-448-6642
614 Tabor Lane, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-3, $1,675,000, Sotheby’s, Amie Strickland 805-570-7677
151 La Vista Grande, 3BD/2.5BA, Sun 2-4, $1,895,000, Sotheby’s, Dan Johnson 805-895-5150
6049 Paseo Palmilla, 4BD/2BA, Sun 1-3, $859,000, Village Properties, Phyllis Lenker 805-886-2342
401 Chapala Street # 302, 1BD/2BA, Sun 11-4, $1,425,000, Village Properties, Calcagno & Hamilton 805-896-0876
843 Park Hill Lane, 5BD/6BA, Sun 1-4, $9,495,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Tim Dahl 805-886-2211
435 Nicholas Lane, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,975,000, Coast and Valley Properties, Ardy Banan 805-698-7770
7560 Cathedral Oaks Road #12, 4BD/4BA, Sun 12-2, $469,000, Keller Williams, Dena Chachakos 805-403-4104
401 Chapala Street #305, 1BD/1.5BA, Sun 11-4, $1,325,000, Village Properties, Calcagno & Hamilton 805-896-0876
975 Mariposa, 4BD/4BA, Sun 2-4, $5,495,000, Village Properties, Natalie Grubb 805-895-6226
445 Nicholas Lane, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,600,000, Coast and Valley Properties, Ardy Banan 805-698-7770
7608 Newport Drive, 4BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $969,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Chris Jones 805-708-7041
1098 Golf Road, 5BD/4.5BA, Sun 2-4, $5,995,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Cheyenne Hawks, 805-618-6400
712 Arbolado Road, 3BD/2BA, By Appt., $2,170,000, Sotheby’s, The Olivers 805-680-6524
Hope Ranch
1110 Oriole Road, 4BD/3BA, Sat 12-3 Sun 12-3, $3,250,000, Coldwell Banker, Eric Stockmann 805-895-0789 Patrice Serrani 805-637-5112
859 Jimeno Road, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,159,000, Sotheby’s, Jeanne Palumbo 805-689-1968
Downtown Santa Barbara
independent real estate
654 Cambridge Drive, 3BD/2BA, Sat 1-4, $889,000, Village Properties, Cimme Eordanidis 805-722-8480
Montecito 52 Olive Mill Road, 3BD/2.5BA, BY APPT, Sat 1-4 Sun 2-5, $1,495,000, Village Properties, Cecilia Hunt 805-8953834 Christopher W Hunt 805-453-3407
1064 Via Regina, 5BD/4BA, Sun 1-4, $1,125,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Bob Ratliffe 805-448-6642
18 West Victoria Street #308, 2BD/3BA, BY APPT, $2,600,000, Village Properties, Pippa Davis 805-886-0174
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510 Coronado Drive, 5BD/4BA, Sun 1-4pm, $1,029,000, Goodwin & Thyne Properties, Stu Morse 805-705-0161
Saturday 10/31 & Sunday 11/1
18 West Victoria Street #204, 1BD/1.5BA, BY APPT, $1,495,000, Village Properties, Pippa Davis 805-8860174
401 Chapala Street #312, 1BD/2BA, Sun 11-4, $1,275,000, Village Properties, Calcagno & Hamilton 805-896-0876 618 Anacapa Street #7, 2BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $1,599,000, Keller Williams, Joe Bral 805-283-9912. 1006 E Canon Perdido Street, 3BD/1BA, Sun 1-3, $949,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Chierici & Associates 805-6800501 1109 Olive Street, 2BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $959,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Paul Mueller 805-315-1515 1417 Olive Street Unit B, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,045,000, Sotheby’s, Sandy Lipowski 805-403-3844 1816 De La Vina #2, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $795,000, Coldwell Banker, Gloria Carmichael 805-895-6567 1480 Santa Ynez Avenue, 5BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $1,050,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Taylor Toner 805-451-4801
Goleta 20 Baker Lane, 4BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $999,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Marguerite Taylor 805-705-0957
39 Dearborn Place #100, 2BD/1BA, Sun 1-4, $400,000, Keller Williams, Ruth Ann Bowe Real Estate Team 805-2525229 216 Moreton Bay Lane Unit 5, 2BD/1.5BA, By Appt., $435,000, Sotheby’s, Mike Pearl 805-637-6888 Gail Pearl 805-637-9595 313 Moreton Bay Lane 1, 2BD/1.5BA, Sun 1-3, $449,000, Kathleen Barnato Realtor, Kathleen Barnato 805-570-3366
929 Canon Road, 4BD/4BA, By Appt., $4,895,000, Sotheby’s, Sandy Stahl 805689-1602
4178 Creciente Drive, 4BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $3,995,000, Stones Real Estate, Team Eric and Mary 805-682-6090
The Mesa 239 Cordova Drive, 4BD/2.5BA, Sun 1-4, $1,549,000, Village Properties, Cimme Eordanidis 805-722-8480
990 Miramonte Drive #5, 2BD/1.5BA, Sun 1-4, $565,000, Village Properties, Easton Konn 818-919-6020 1269 Mountain View, 4BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,199,000, Village Properties, Robert Watt 805-252-2190 1374 Shoreline Drive, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,995,000, Sotheby’s, Laura Drammer 805-448-7500 Lauren Stewart 805-618-6007
1220 Coast Village Road Unit 110, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,069,000, Sotheby’s, Marilyn Rickard 805-452-8284 1211 East Valley Road, 4BD/5BA, Sun 1-3, $2,595,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Jessica Stovall 805-698-9416 1280-1282 East Valley Road, 4BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $995,000, Sotheby’s, Jenny Hall 805-705-7125 1395 Santa Clara Way, 4BD/3BA, Sat 2-4 Sun 1-4, $1,565,000, Coldwell Banker Edna Sizlo 805 455-4567 1422 East Valley Road, 5BD/6BA, Sun 1-4, $5,100,000, Village Properties, Kim Hultgen 805-895-2067 1445 South Jameson Lane, 5BD/6.5BA, Sun 1-4, $4,495,000, Sotheby’s, Diane Randall 805-705-5252
1809 Cliff Drive #2, 2BD/2BA, Sun 1-3, $949,000, Village Properties, Nagel 805-689-5959
1522 East Mountain Drive, 5BD/3.5BA, Sun 1-4, $7,495,000, Sotheby’s, Wade Hansen 805-689-9682
Mission Canyon
1709 Overlook Lane, 5BD/4.5BA, Sun 1-4, $5,250,000, Sotheby’s, Mark Lomas & Kirsten Wolfe 805-845-2888
2825 Foothill Road, 4BD/2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $1,200,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Ashley Anderson 805-618-8747
2960 Glen Albyn, 5BD/4BA, Sun 2-4, $1,695,000, Coldwell Banker, Don Haws 805-895-7653 2985 Glen Albyn Drive, 4BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $TBD, Berkshire Hathaway, Ricardo Munoz, 805-895-8725
2225 Featherhill Road, 6BD/6.5BA, Sun 1-3, $6,995,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Kara Strickland 805708-6969 2775 East Valley Road, 4BD/3.5BA, Sun 1-4, $2,795,000, Sotheby’s, Deb Archambault 805-455-2966 2970 Hidden Valley Lane, 4BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $2,445,000, Keller Williams Realty, Daniel Zia 805-637-7148
1010 Roble Lane, 3BD/2.5BA, Sun 2-4, $2,249,000, Sotheby’s, The Olivers 805-680-6524 1734 Franceschi Road, 4BD/3.5BA, Sun 1-4, $2,395,000, Keller Williams, Daniel Zia 805-637-7148 1746 Prospect Avenue, 3BD/3.5BA, Sun 1-3:30, $2,195,000, Village Properties, Priscilla Bedolla 805-680-7146 1800 El Encanto Road Unit A, 2BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $2,800,000, Sotheby’s, Sandy Stahl 805-689-1602 1829 Mira Vista, 2BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $2,600,000, Sotheby’s, Joanna Slott 805335-0158 1889 Eucalyptus Hill Road, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-3, $1,389,000, Sotheby’s, Justin Corrado 805-451-9969 1933 Mission Ridge, 3BD/4BA, Sun 2-4, $2,800,000, Village Properties, R.Wayne Barker 805-637-2948
Samarkand 421 Samarkand Drive, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,059,000, Coldwell Banker, Ryan Strehlow 805-705-8877
San Roque 121 Calle Palo Colorado, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,844,900 Keller Williams, Epstein Partners 805-689-9339
520 Vista Vallejo, 3BD/1.5BA, Sun 2-4, $1,295,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Tara Toner 805-451-4999 612 Calle Granada, 3BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $1,595,000, Village Properties, Vickie Craig 805-708-2468
>>>
neighborhooDs
Montecito
Area highlights The Neighbors: Celebrities and the über-
wealthy, along with a good amount of lessthan-billionaire families, too. Market: Mansions that cost more than
You’ll Love: People watching during
brunch at Jeannine’s, combing the sands of Butterfly Beach, and dining on $50 steaks at Lucky’s or the Four Seasons Biltmore. Perfect For: Families seeking out great
schools and multimillionaires who want to enjoy their wealth in a rural/urban way, yet with all the comforts of a resort.
Around the Area
An understated elegance permeates the wealthy, semirural enclave of Montecito, where towering trees and exotic flora do a good job of hiding the opulent mansions that rest behind stately hedgerows and ornate gates. Aside from the Chumash people who lived off the creeks and coastline for millennia, the first settlers were retired soldiers from the Santa Barbara Presidio, and their comparably spartan adobes can still be seen in what locals call “Old Spanish Town.” The town first attracted the moneyed class with the development of the Hot Springs Resort in the 1860s, built upon a spring that the Chumash believed contained magical healing waters. The resort
San Roque (CONTiNUED) 616 Calle De Los Amigos, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $815,000, Sotheby’s, Daniela Johnson 805-453-4555
Saturday 10/31 & Sunday 11/1 CONTiNUED
2631 Freesia Drive, 3BD/2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $2,250,000, Sotheby’s, Karen Strickland 805-455-3226
Upper East Santa Barbara
Westside Santa Barbara 927 West Valerio Street, 2BD/2BA, Sun 12-3, $769,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Hristo Hristov 805-284-8471
34 East Pedregosa Street, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,350,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Alexis McCaw 805-448-6350
1123 Manitou Road, 4BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,595,000, Sotheby’s, Alex Rouffaer 805-451-0023
1276 North Ontare Road, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $2,049,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Gloria Easter 805-570-0403
1426 Laguna Street A, 1BD/1.5BA, Sat 12-1:30, $699,000, Village Properties, Lynda Bohnett 805-637-6407
1354 Rialto Lane, 5BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,474,900, Berkshire Hathaway, Bill Urbany 805-331-0248
1712 Anacapa, 3BD/3BA, Sat 2-3:30, $2,295,000, Village Properties, Lynda Bohnett 805-637-6407
1332 Kenwood Road, 3BD/3BA, $1,295,000, Sun 1-4, Alemann and Associates, Terence Alemann 805-6373378
2525 State Street #12, 2BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $615,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Rachel Brown 805-570-7160
1814 Olive Avenue, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,295,000, Sotheby’s Jim Alzina 805-455-1941
3132 Calle Mariposa, 3BD/2.5BA, Sun 1:30-4, $1,649,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Robert Johnson 805-705-1606
2025 Garden Street, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,750,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Ken Switzer 805-680-4622
3531 Los Pinos Drive, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $1,395,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Debbie Kort 805-368-4479
2414 Santa Barbara Street, 3BD/3BA, Sat 12-3 Sun 1-4, $2,295,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Kat Hitchcock 805705-4485 SiBelle Israel 805-896-4218
Summerland 2210 Calle Culebra, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,850,000, Sotheby’s, Jason Siemens 805-455-1165
2446 Garden Street, 3BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $2,025,000, Coldwell Banker, Ingrid Anderson Smith 805-689-2396
2621 State Street Unit 3, 2BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $649,000, Sotheby’s, Robert Heckes 805-637-0047
2109 Gillespie Street, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-4, $865,000, Coldwell Banker, Dave Haws 805-757-6492
Santa Ynez Valley 357 Calor Drive, 3BD/2BA, Sun 11-1, $499,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Suzy Ealand, 805-698-9902
511 Meadow View Road, 3BD/2BA, Sat 2-4, $595,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Rhoda Johnson 805-705-8707 644 Chalk Hill Road, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1-3, $829,000, Village Properties, Barbara Morr 805-245-0455 1371 Willow Street, 3BD/2BA, Sun 1:30-4, $895,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Bob Jennings 805-570-0792 1695 Monarch Drive, 3BD/4BA, Sun 1-3, $3,175,000, Village Properties, Carey Kendall 805-689-6262
1888 Ringsted Place, 4BD/2.5BA, Sun 1-4, $895,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Glynnis Mullenary 805-705-5206 2485 Park Street, 2BD/1.5BA, Sat 1-4, $777,777, Sotheby’s, Laura Drammer 805-448-7500 Lauren Stewart 805-6186007 3321 Camino Arroyo, 3BD/2BA, Sun 2-4, $659,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Suzy Ealand 805-698-9902 3640 Willow Street, 3BD/3BA, Sun 2-4, $734,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Rhoda Johnson 805-705-8707
Ventura County 135 Wormwood Street, 3BD/3BA, Sat 1-4, $794,000, Revive Real Estate Group, Mark R Tasch 818-264-9148
3059 Seaview Avenue, 3BD/3BA, Sun 1-4, $2,840,000, Santa Barbara Estates, Christopher A Page 805-2848422 11570 Oakcrest Avenue, 4BD/3.5BA, Sat 1-4, $815,000, Revive Real Estate Group, Mark R Tasch 818-264-9148
Submit your open house listings to gustavo@independent.com Tuesday by 3pm to be included in this directory.
9
841-861 East Alamar Avenue, 1BA, By Appt., $1,995,000, Sotheby’s, Robert Heckes 805-637-0047
3867 Cinco Amigos, 3BD/2BA, Sat 2-4 Sun 2-4, $595,000, Berkshire Hathaway, Angela Moloney 805-4511553
(pictured). The town is indeed home to some of the richest and most famous people on the planet, but there are also more modest residents who choose the area for its great schools and rural way of life. In addition to the coastline, which stretches down toward Summerland along Hammond’s Beach, the soon-to-be-rebuilt Miramar Resort, and Shark’s Cove at Fernald Point, hiking trails wind up into the mountains behind Montecito and beyond. The rare-plant-filled gardens of Lotusland are also worth exploring at length, and the Casa del Herrero estate is a historic landmark that does great justice to explaining the origins of Santa Barbara architecture. n
realestate.independent.com
OPEN HOUSES
was popular until 1962, when the Coyote Fire claimed its wooden structures. By then, the San Ysidro Ranch was already established as one of the most peaceful places to stay on the West Coast, with Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy (who honeymooned there with Jackie) as some of its more prominent fans. The influx of well-off Yankees from the late 19th century onward led to the development of the more than 200 grand estates (with names like Bonnymede, Riven Rock, and Arcady) and myriad churches as well as golf courses, equestrian trails, tennis courts, and polo fields. The community fought against overt commercialization at every opportunity, though, banning billboards and couching retail shops and restaurants into only select corners. Today, public life in Montecito revolves around the eateries and shops of Coast Village Road and the Upper Village, as well as along the coastline at Butterfly Beach across from the Four Seasons Biltmore resort and the Coral Casino private club
OCTOBER 29, 2015
$20 million, single-family homes for $1 million-plus, and a smattering of luxury condos, both beachfront and more urban in setting.
loving bistro culture, not bound to traditional 9-to-5 work schedules.
independent real estate
Long considered one of the wealthiest communities in the country, Montecito is home to sprawling, meticulously landscaped estates owned by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Rob Lowe, but the roughly 9,000 residents are mostly cut from a more modest cloth, willing to pay a bit more to enjoy the semirural lifestyle and amazing schools like Cold Spring and Montecito Union. The entire community feels like one big park, with hiking trails and equestrian paths that travel between towering oak, sycamore, palm, and eucalyptus trees from the rocky mountains to the sandy beaches. The hubs of Coast Village Road and the Upper Village provide all the restaurants, markets, salons, and other modern creature comforts required.
Lifestyle: Healthy, active, and outdoor-
matt kettmann
Area Description
by Dusk Donahue
Santa barbara county SaleS area
Seller
buellton/Solvang
date
addreSS
MCCaRtHY PatRICK J
boYD RICHaRD D eu
$875,000
10/16/15
1855 CottonWooD St
naStRI DIon J eu
$392,000
10/15/15
664 FloRal DR
CaRPInteRIa
eKola lelanD S JR eu
tHoMPSon RobeRt R tRuStee
$825,000
10/16/15
1531 MeaDoW CIR
CuYaMa
buRgeSS-MeaD tHonDa
gaRl KeItH
$170,000
10/14/15
1851 FootHIll RD
goleta
InDa JoSe eu
CouRaIn KatHRYn
$778,000
10/15/15
5059 San SIMeon DR
laRguRa RobeRt tRuStee
aMHeRSt eXCHange CoRP
$1,290,000
10/16/15
4760 Calle CaMaRaDa
DoDSon DennIS M tRuStee
WIlDe RogeR e tRuSt
$195,000
10/16/15
5290 oveRPaSS RD 227
anDeRSon RebeCCa eu
FInleY WeSleY
$850,000
10/14/15
536 PIntuRa DR
HovanItZ eRIC W tRuStee
gIovanaCCI alan tRuSt
$755,000
10/14/15
5587 CatHeDRal oaKS RD
loMPoC
MonteCIto
realestate.independent.com
price
lanIeR KYle eu
guaDaluPe
Santa baRbaRa
Santa MaRIa
10
independent real estate
OCTOBER 29, 2015
buyer
unInCoRPoRateD
RICKY DonalD b eu
MaRDen JaSon R eu
$972,500
10/16/15
632 DaRa RD
MaRQuette WeSleY a tRuStee
gonZaleZ Raul ea
$830,000
10/16/15
7274 evanSton Pl
langHoRne eDWaRD D tuStee
RHoDeS IRene ea
$1,840,000
10/14/15
445 veReDa Del CIeRvo
MoReno JeSSe v tRuStee
gutIeRReZ JoRge a ea
$225,000
10/16/15
4440 bIRCH St
eSCalante FelICIa
CaStIllo CeCIlIa M
$231,000
10/15/15
234 obISPo St
FaRnuM JeReMY C
CoRbett RYan t eu
$237,000
10/14/15
520 e CYPReSS ave
elIaS MICHelle a
DIaZ eSteban eu
$275,000
10/14/15
1000 e College ave
WeSt PoInte HoMeS InC
lInDQuISt luKe eu
$303,000
10/16/15
411 lavenDeR WY
MaRtonY KellI
HeRnanDeZ Pablo F eu
$160,000
10/14/15
234 n R St
CaSH CatHeRIne C tRuSt
MCelWaIn MalColM S eu
$1,680,000
10/14/15
115 CoRonaDa CIR
CuttS JaMeS a tRuStee
SHeRMan MeRRIll W
$1,949,000
10/16/15
845 SuMMIt RD
RuIZ aleXanDeR a tRuStee
SaRaD JoHn ea
$975,000
10/13/15
217 S voluntaRIo St
gReenWalD JaMIe a
babCoCK KennetH eu
$1,940,000
10/14/15
2595 DoRKIng Pl
SaRguIS FRanCIS
SaCHDeva tHeReSa C
$1,594,000
10/13/15
2210 laS RoSaS ln
MaSon FaMIlY tRuSt
JoHanSSon leIF a eu
$1,255,000
10/15/15
936 gaRCIa RD
PHIlIP JaMeS tRuStee
CouCH tIMotHY b eu
$2,188,000
10/13/15
614 olIve St
valleJo gaSPaR eu
MeZa luIS
$700,000
10/15/15
517 n alISoS St
neXt geneRatIon CaPItal llC
tHIboDeauX RegInalD S eu
$925,000
10/15/15
522 n SoleDaD St
nuneZ JoSePH C tRuStee
nuneZ ana K
$625,000
10/14/15
320 n voluntaRIo St
PeRKInS J PeRRY tRuStee
baRton MICHael C tRuStee
$1,285,000
10/15/15
427 alaMeDa PaDRe SeRR
SHalHoub MICHael I eu
auguSt HeIDI
$862,000
10/16/15
1010 e De la gueRRa St a
CougHlaM Dena
KuDRoW DanIel eu
$700,000
10/14/15
912 San PaSCual St
RobInSoon KennetH ea
goHlICH DuStIn eu
$972,000
10/16/15
128 RoMaIne DR 226 Calle ManZanIta
evanS RobeRt b ea
gRaHaM FReDeRICK g ea
$1,028,000
10/16/15
CRavIotto CaRMen tRuSteee
Cavaletto alan J
$862,500
10/14/15
3530 MaDRona DR
MeRlo baRbaRa
CaZaZIan luIZa
$986,500
10/15/15
3677 RoCKCReeK RD
PaQuet PaMela J tRuStee
PaQuet JoSePH M ea
$300,000
10/15/15
144 eIleen ln
buRnS neIl P eu
YCa enteRPRISeS InC
$250,000
10/14/15
1248 PIno Solo DR
beall DaRRen J eu
MenDeZ Juan C
$345,000
10/16/15
5531 loRRaIne ave
FeRRIS CHRIStoPHeR S SR tRuSte
novaK CHaRleS H eu
$380,000
10/16/15
4858 CaMeo DR
ReeD JoSHua J
HalWeg SHannon
$286,000
10/15/15
122 valleY vIeW DR
HallWaCHS DonalD R tRuStee
CRaWFoRD laRRY a tRuStee
$500,000
10/16/15
1172 HaStIngS Ct
CoFFMan Sean e eu
aDKISSon PaMela R
$375,000
10/14/15
369 vInelanD DR
taYloR PeeteR C ea
CoKeR ellSWoRtH DeveloPMent
$1,400,000
10/13/15
2658 InDuStRIal PKWY
gIbbS MICHelle C
oJeDa RuDY eu
$470,000
10/14/15
325 MeaDoWbRooK DR
Mota MaRIa
HeRReRa oMaR eu
$267,000
10/15/15
3536 MYRtleWooD RD
MenDeZ Juan C
RuIZ-naRanJo tanIa
$272,000
10/16/15
1630 n oaKleY ave
KoRnegaY JoHn M
buRton bRaDleY J eu
$235,000
10/16/15
2012 n WeSteRn ave
RuIZ, MaRtHa a
PatteRSon JoHn M
$399,000
10/16/15
1410 W avola ave
gaRCIa CeSaR eu
MoRaleS elISeo g eu
$316,000
10/14/15
2208 Mogul ave
WInn FaMIlY RevoCable tRuSt 11
CaRRIllo MaRIa e ea
$380,000
10/13/15
2404 n JuleSton DR
JIMeneZ FaMIlY tRuSt
JIMeneZ RobeRt a eu
$100,000
10/13/15
500 n tHoRnbuRg St
KIlbeRt gRetCHen tRuStee
SnItCHleR DennIS
$285,000
10/16/15
1401 n CHRIStIna St
tRaPP RobeRt l
FloReS FRanCISCo J eu
$260,000
10/15/15
228 e oRCHaRD St
KeRR MaRIe tRuStee
oStInI RobeRt t eu
$280,000
10/16/15
919 n ConCePCIon ave
MuRRaY vICtoRIa M tRuSt
MeRSHon JeFFReY P eu
$385,000
10/15/15
522 e RoSe ave
WIllIS KevIn M eu
baRRagan MaRIo a eu
$240,000
10/16/15
726 e CaMIno ColegIo
JJ WHIPPet llC
lanD tRuSt FoR Santa baRbaRa
$1,250,000
10/16/15
3151 San JulIan RD
StIne aRtHuR g tRuStee
MaRtIneZ MICHael P eu
$380,000
10/16/15
1417 oRCHID St
SCHneIDeR JeFF R eu
HuMMel CHRIStoPHeR R eu
$390,000
10/16/15
2004 ConCePtIon DR
DoRenbuSCH lane C
SeRvIn luIS F eu
$275,000
10/14/15
3454 vIa baRba
CHaMblISS CaRolYn K tRuSt
bReCKenRIDge PRoPeRtY FunD
$186,000
10/15/15
1529 Calle PRIMeRa
gooDWIn JuDItH M tRuStee
DotZleR CoReY J eu
$297,000
10/14/15
252 altaIR ave
HaggeRtY toDD eu
CRoFoot JeSSICa eu
$650,000
10/16/15
1900 Santa RIta RD
beneDetto, DIna
PlIeR geRalD tRuStee
$599,000
10/14/15
471 valleY DaIRY RD
SKulaSon, HJaltI
Runge FInn o tRuStee
$615,000
10/16/15
546 blue bloSSoM WY
loFtHuS JoHn eu
DeluCa geoRge J
$470,000
10/16/15
230 valleY StatIon CIR
DaWeS tHoMaS M JR FaM tRuSt
CoX nICole l eu
$599,000
10/16/15
5726 olD tISbuRY ln
PInon, aleJanDRo
toRReS HeCtoR ea
$317,500
10/15/15
1012 e MuRRaY DR
Pena JanIe M eu
PInon aleJanDRo eu
$410,000
10/15/15
1843 n veRonICa ln
nIelSen RoDneY a ea
ClevelanD bRuCe e tRuStee
$810,000
10/14/15
1735 vIgaRD DR
This data is provided to The Santa Barbara Independent by an outside third-party source and represents a partial list of recorded residential sales in Santa Barbara County on the dates listed. While this information is public record, The Santa Barbara Independent cannot guarantee the accuracy nor the completeness of this list.
history 101
Gustavo the Gardenator
by Michael Redmon
Leaf Blowing 101
named for its poisonous reptiles?
There are three different types of leaf blowers that are used, so here are the pros and cons of each.
Gas-Powered: These by Gustavo Uribe are affordable — handheld versions run $150$400, while backpack ones are $250-$500—and they work extremely well. But as the city’s rules indicate, they are noisy and not as environmentally friendly. Corded Electric: These are really affordable—only $50-$100. However, as Gustavo notes,“Son muy baratas, pero no me gustan usarlos porque el p***** cordón.” (They’re cheap, but the power cord is a pain in the butt.) Battery-Powered (Cordless Electric): The handheld versions aren’t too much, $60-$350, but the backpacks are very expensive, like $600-$1,200. Gustavo likes those, explaining,“Están chingonas, son como bazucas—tienen buen power.” (They are pretty badass, like bazookas—very powerful.)
Despite the city’s rules, Gustavo says most gardeners use gas blowers and corded electric blowers. The city itself uses a lot of battery-powered blowers, but they only work for about an hour before needing a recharge. He uses all three types, but it really comes down to economics. The more the batterypowered blowers come down in price, the more gardeners will use them. Keep in mind that there is a difference between doing homeowner backyard work and being a professional gardener in the field: There can be multiple job sites lined up in a day or there can be huge job sites, such as schools or Montecito houses, that need to be cleaned up in a certain amount of time. A gardener will be trimming hedges, cutting grass, and doing landscape maintenance prior to leaf blowing, so he needs to take into account arm fatigue and speed. The professional gardener is mostly concerned with getting access to the most powerful, practical, and cost-effective leaf blower to finish his job quickly.
Gustavo Uribe is a fifth-generation agricultural specialist who has worked as a professional gardener in Santa Barbara for more than 30 years. His son, Gustavo, Jr., writes this column. Send your gardening questions to Gustavo@independent.com .
11
Michael Redmon is the director of research at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
A
realestate.independent.com
Soon after his arrival, Skofield began construction of a large house off of presentday Gibraltar Road. The 1929 stock market crash halted construction of the home. In 1931, Skofield’s son, Hobart, arrived to manage his father’s properties. Hobart had left his New York banking career in 1926 to indulge his love of books and had gone to work for William Edwin Rudge, owner of one of the largest fine printing houses in the country. Hobart remained a life-long bibliophile. He eventually gave his collection of 13,000 books to the library at UCSB. Ray Skofield, a founding member of Rancheros Visitadores, set aside part of his property for the group to use on their annual trek over the Santa Ynez Mountains. In 1950, Hobart oversaw the sale of this 35-acre parcel to the Rancheros for $15,000. Housing development in the ensuing years made the site less useful to the Rancheros, and in 1964, the group sold the land to the city, which christened it Skofield Park. In 1947, Hobart entertained an offer from the Holy Cross Episcopalian Monastery Order for his father’s still uncompleted canyon house. The order was looking for a West Coast retreat to complement their retreat in New York. There the order was housed until wildfire in 2008 destroyed the compound and the order moved to the 500 block of East Los Olivos Street. Toward the end of the 1960s, Hobart and his sister, Ermine, decided to offer the balance of the family holdings to the city as parkland. In 1970, with a combination of city, county, and federal funds, the transfer of more than 450 acres was completed—a gift to the thousands of hikers who enjoy the area annually.
professional gardener in the Santa Barbara region for more than 30 years, Gustavo the Gardenator has lots of tools in his backyard (where this picture was taken). He also works part-time on the weekends for the City of Santa Barbara, so he knows the rules and knows the business. And thanks for the questions, because it’s about time Gustavo schooled us all in the sacred gardening art of leaf blowing.
OCTOBER 29, 2015
R
attlesnake Canyon is one of the most popular hiking and recreational areas in Santa Barbara. The Spanish first “developed” the canyon in the early 1800s, evidence of which can still be seen today. The Spanish called the canyon Las Canoas (The Canoes), for reasons that remain a mystery. In the second half of the 1800s, the canyon came to be called Rattlesnake, again for unknown reasons, for there is no evidence that the canyon ever harbored more of these reptiles than any other local wilderness area. Around 1808, Chumash laborers constructed a dam and an aqueduct to connect the canyon creek to the rest of the Santa Barbara Mission water system. The dam and part of the aqueduct are still extant. In the 1870s, one of the first settlers was Mattias Reyes, who lived in an adobe in the lower portion of the canyon. In 1900, William O’Connor took out a 160-acre homestead in a meadow in the upper reaches of the canyon. By law, he had to put up some kind of structure to lay claim to the land; he gathered five-gallon kerosene cans, crushed them, and used them for the roof and sides for his “Tin Can Shack.” It was destroyed by wildfire in 1925. Another interesting feature of the canyon is the stone bridge built by mason Peter Poole in 1919. At the behest of County Supervisor Sam Stanwood, Poole used rounded stones for the bridge façade, as Stanwood believed it would better blend the bridge into its natural surroundings. Owen O’Neill, longtime County Surveyor, was the designer. Ray L. Skofield, a New York City stockbroker, purchased the canyon in 1927. In the mid-1920s, his family moved here, hoping the climate would help Skofield’s ailing wife.
—chiwoowa9, online blow-less-hard commenter
independent real estate
Was rattlesnake Canyon
Why does this column show a gasoline-powered blower when these machines have been banned in the City of Santa Barbara since 1997? Why “advertise” this polluting and now-illegal-to-use blower?