3280 VIA RANCHEROS ROAD
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
PALACIO DEL RIO
Rare and fortunate opportunity to purchase one of the most historic homes in the Santa Ynez Valley. Rancho Juan Y Lolita, also known as Palacio del Rio, is a fabulous Edwards & Plunkett designed hacienda with sweeping views of the whole of the Santa Ynez Valley offering incredible location, serenity, and privacy.
PROPERTY OVERVIEW
In coveted seclusion – “Palacio del Rio” is an iconic estate situated in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains overlooking the breathtaking Santa Ynez River Valley. A recent restoration project over the past 2 years has brought this spectacular estate back to the height of its glory.
Perched high in a grove of 100-year-old Redwoods, ‘’Palacio del Rio’’, formerly the Hacienda for the renowned Juan y Lolita Rancho, is set on approximately 36.6+/- acres and is steeped in Valley history. This is a place of amazing tranquility.
The property is often called ‘The Jewel of the Valley’ with its views, rich history, privacy, and sense of seclusion. It is located only three miles from the town of Santa Ynez, 35 miles from Santa Barbara, and only 2 hours from Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
The late John S. Mitchell, founder of United Airlines, and his wife Lolita Armour of the Armour & Company meat packing company, had the house built as a wedding gift from Lolita’s parents. Palacio del Rio was designed and constructed in 1928 by the famous Edwards & Plunket firm of Santa Barbara, whose oeuvre also includes the Santa Barbara Airport and Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. A guest wing, guest house, and garages were later added around1938. Mr. Mitchell founded the legendary Los Rancheros Visitadores at the ranch, which still continues today. Other previous owners include Jimmy Stewart and Dean Martin, who separately, used this as a retreat from Hollywood.
There is an air of warmth and hospitality immediately experienced upon entering the protected courtyard with its flagstone walkways, flowers and sycamore trees.
The property is truly magnificent and irreplaceable.
MAIN RESIDENCE
The interior of the main residence is warm and sophisticated consisting of a spacious living room and adjoining dining room, both of which have stunning fireplaces and command spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Kitchen opens to a comfortable family room and features state of the art appliances, a huge center island with sink, views out to the Valley, and a grand fireplace. P.J. Milligan designed and built the cabinets and entertainment area and also the adjoining butler’s pantry cabinetry. Additionally there is a storage pantry room and a mud room entry room off the main courtyard leading into the kitchen.
The Primary Suite is comprised of a Den / TV Room with fireplace, bedroom with vaulted ceiling and fireplace, and an enclosed porch room (used as an office) adjoining the outside pool area. There are two large, custom walk-in closets, master bath, and a gym.
Four additional en-suite bedrooms, two with fireplaces, complete the accommodations in the main residence. Each bedroom also has private entrances from the outside of the house.
POOL & TENNIS COURT
Off the Living room is a 26 x 50 foot pool, and convenient to this area is a bathroom, showers, sauna, and dressing rooms.
Just below this area is a fully-lighted tennis court.
GUEST HOUSE
Across the courtyard is a guest house with four-bedroom suites, two of which are master suites with fireplaces, a large living room, and a prohibition-era bar with kitchen. Built as the party-room, there is an oak dance floor in the living room. The guesthouse features a private covered patio overlooking the main courtyard and out back, a private walled yard with outdoor fireplace. A private driveway serves this guest house.
6 CAR GARAGE WINE CELLAR STAFF QUARTERS SHOP
Below the guest house is the 6-car garage with beamed ceilings. The entire portecochere is covered in an original wall mural landscape painted in 1938 by the renowned Plein Air artist, Douglas Parshall. This area is heated and well lighted, and can be used as a formal ballroom, as it has in the past during some wild Hollywood parties.
The wine cellar, one bedroom, one bath staff’s quarters with fireplace, and shop are located adjacent to this. walled yard with outdoor fireplace. A private driveway serves this guest house.
RANCH HOUSE
Apart from the main house, tucked away in a separate grove of towering Eucalyptus trees, is a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage with private yard, laundry, and equally amazing views of the River and Valley below.
NAVIGATING THE PROPERTY
The property consists of approximately 36.54 acress. After passing through the gated entrance you travel up approximately one-half mile of paved road winding through mature oak trees. Upon reaching the main house you enter an outside parking area capable of accommodating over 20 cars. From this point the road turns into a beautiful base rock material that compliments the style of the home. The road then separates and passes through the garage one way, and also above the guesthouse to meet again on the backside of the property by the Cottage, completing a loop of the upper portion of the property. The road also loops to the back of the property behind the guesthouse to the main road, which can be used as a back exit or staff entrance.
Across the bottom of the property, fronts the Santa Ynez River and the property water well is located in this area and draws from a significant aquifer.
On the lower portion of the property are fenced pastures and horse shelters, and a riding ring. There is also a large barn with a tack room, ample storage space, and four stalls.
BARN
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
A mere two hours north of Los Angeles, 4 hours from the Silicon Valley, and only 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, one is enveloped in a landscape of vineyards, horse ranches, farms and schoolhouses. You travel back in time where simple pleasures, open spaces, mossy oaks, grassy fields, seas of purple lupine, bright orange poppies and warm sunny days are found. It seems impossible that such a place still exists in 21st Century California. The Santa Ynez Valley has become the best kept secret of the celebrity crowd. Silicon Valley and the Bay Area have also found this magical Valley a best kept secret alternative to Napa. The geography is more wide open, has a coastal influence and offers a buyer much better land value than the Napa Area. All who are fortunate enough to live in Santa Ynez seem to closely guard its quiet serenity.
A couple of the early educational school systems are ranked as some of the top in the State; the medical care system is part of the larger Cottage Hospital Network, one of the finest in the country.
The area is also known for a variety of equine disciplines and combined with Veterinary care that is ranked as one of the top in the country, the valley is one of the last bastions for those wanting to pursue their love of the equine world. Hiking, cycling, fabulous golf and restaurants, farm to table eateries, unique shops…. What else could one possibly want!
