Hope Ranch

Hope Ranch is an upscale community that lies along the Pacific coast, immediately west of downtown Santa Barbara, California. Originally developed in the early 1920s, there are approximately 700 parcels, most being 1 acre or more. Homes range from modest Ranch style to beautiful legacy estates, many developed in the 1920s by our legendary, noted architects such as George Washington Smith, Reginald Johnson, and Carleton Winslow.

Hope Ranch boasts one of the few private access to the beach with gated access, bathrooms, ample parking, a picnic area, beach lockers, a kayak, and paddle board storage. The beach is used year-round, but summertime offers lifeguards, beach attendants, a snack shack, beach volleyball, a floating raft, bonfires, and unique events including a beach festival and community campout during low tide in July.

Hope Ranch is located between Goleta and Santa Barbara. It is considered to be an equestrian community. Hope Ranch is home to 27 miles of riding trails including beach access. Approximately 10 percent of residents are horse-owners and there is a very active riding association.

I consider Hope Ranch an enclave of greater Santa Barbara with very convenient proximity to Downtown, The Mesa, UCSB, Goleta, and our local Santa Barbara airport.

Hope Ranch is named after Irishman Thomas Hope, who purchased the land in 1861 for sheep ranching. Following his death in 1876, his heirs sold the ranch for $250,000 to the Southern Pacific Railroad, who intended to develop the land. It was not until Harold Chase purchased the land in 1923 that the area was developed into the residential area that exists today.

The main stretch of road through Hope Ranch is Las Palmas/Marina Drive, a palm tree-lined stretch of roadway along which runs the coastal bike route. Hope Ranch is home to La Cumbre Country Club and Laguna Blanca School, an independent day school, which was founded in 1933.