Tucked between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, San Ysidro Ranch is the kind of place that feels like a secret garden waiting to be discovered. Known for its storybook charm and year-round blooms, this Santa Barbara hideaway is one of our all-time favorite destinations when it comes to garden inspiration, and for good reason! Every inch of its landscape is layered with climbing vines, fragrant florals, and meandering lavender-lined paths that feel as though they’ve been there forever.
A Bit of History
Originally a citrus farm dating back to the 1800s, San Ysidro Ranch evolved into a boutique hotel in the mid-20th century and quickly became a quiet getaway for celebrities, artists, and even presidents. Its understated luxury and connection to the natural surroundings have remained central to its allure, both in architecture and in the gardens that unfold across the property. You’ll spot historic stone cottages enveloped in bougainvillea, trellises laced with jasmine and roses, and lavender spilling from every raised planter.
Why We Love It
There’s something undeniably romantic about the gardens at San Ysidro Ranch. The combination of the region’s temperate climate and organic planting style creates an atmosphere where every corner feels relaxed yet refined. Lavender fields stretch in the distance, roses bloom well into fall, and floral scents seem to follow you wherever you go. It’s not overly manicured—and that’s part of the magic.
Get the Look
To recreate this kind of lush, layered garden at home, the key is planting with seasonality and softness in mind. San Ysidro Ranch’s garden design blends annuals with perennials in a way that feels spontaneous but never messy. Climbing vines are given structure with thoughtful trellises, while lavender and other fragrant herbs are allowed to spill naturally into paths and beds. We’ve curated a Pinterest board filled with our favorite blooms, trellises, and textural plantings inspired by San Ysidro Ranch. Use it as a starting point when envisioning your own Santa Barbara-inspired garden.
One thing to note: gardens like this require a bit of commitment. Annual blooms will need seasonal replacement or pruning, and weeding can be labor intensive, especially in larger spaces. But with the right planting combinations, the result is well worth it.
Pro Tip
To maintain year-round appeal, we always recommend intermixing seasonal bloomers (like roses, salvia, and other flowering shrubs) with evergreen deciduous plants. Varieties like our foundational plants – Westringia, Pittosporum, Rosemary, and Little Ollies – will carry the garden through dormant months without sacrificing fullness or structure. This balance keeps things looking intentional even when certain plants take a seasonal pause.
Take for instance our Carmel Bay Project (pictured below). Notice how while the seasonal blooms take center stage, they are subtly accented with wispy grasses and dense shrubbery to support the planter’s lush appearance, no matter what the season.
Shop the Look
Want to bring the charm home? Browse our handpicked garden accessories, outdoor decor, and more in our shoppable collection, all inspired by this California classic.
We hope this look leaves you feeling inspired to bring a touch of San Ysidro magic into your own garden. Stay tuned as we continue to share more garden looks we love—each one inspired by the destinations that spark our creativity the most.
Xx,
Team GSD
