Hope Ranch, California, population 4,163, begins where the city of Santa Barbara fades, at a point where public sidewalks give way to equestrian trails and the sound of traffic is replaced by the occasional whinny from a private stable.
It started in 1861 when Thomas Hope, an Irish immigrant who became one of California’s wealthiest sheep ranchers, purchased the land. Hope used the coastal grasslands for grazing his 5,000 Merino sheep. After his death, the land changed hands and direction. By the early 1900s, with the railroad barons of the Pacific Improvement Company involved, the idea of a luxurious residential development emerged. A proposed hotel was scrapped, and instead, plans for custom estates and bridle paths took hold. The earliest homeowners included oil tycoons and early Hollywood figures—people who wanted beauty and seclusion, but not necessarily publicity.
The equestrian lifestyle in Hope Ranch isn’t a quaint nod to the past—it’s part of daily life. The 22 miles of horse trails are meticulously maintained, winding through eucalyptus groves and across canyons, even descending onto the community’s private beach. Horses are not just a hobby here; they’re transportation, recreation, and a legacy. There are over 80 properties with equestrian facilities, and riders have right-of-way on many roads. It’s one of the few places in the United States where you might spot someone on horseback heading toward the ocean, surfboards strapped to their saddle.
Hope Ranch Beach, reserved exclusively for residents, isn’t accessible to the general public—not by foot, not by vehicle, and not even from neighboring beaches. A keycard-controlled gate and security team ensure that this stretch of coastline remains untouched by tourism. It’s one of the rare spots in Southern California where you can spend a morning without seeing another soul. The beach’s seclusion makes it a favorite for sunrise horseback rides and impromptu picnics shaded by sandstone bluffs. Sea otters have been seen floating just offshore, and during certain times of year, bioluminescent tides glow electric blue at night.
Not all of Hope Ranch’s natural phenomena are as serene. Locals are familiar with the so-called “Hope Ranch Volcano”—a patch of ground along the hillside that occasionally steams, sometimes bursts into small flames, and almost always baffles newcomers. It’s technically a solfatara, not a volcano, but that doesn’t make it less dramatic. When gases from underground oil seep to the surface, they ignite spontaneously. Fire crews are occasionally dispatched, only to find the cause is geologic and persistent. For longtime residents, it’s just another quirk of living in a place where the land itself is unpredictable.
While Hope Ranch is primarily residential, a few restaurants just beyond its borders have become institutions among those who live behind the hedges and gates. Hope Ranch Grill on State Street serves as a kind of unofficial clubhouse. The menu includes a standout tri-tip sandwich, Santa Barbara’s unofficial regional dish, as well as lemon-dill salmon that’s plated with charred asparagus and buttery mashed potatoes. Their house pie—banana cream—is made fresh daily and rarely lasts past dinner. Just down the street, Harry’s Plaza Café has served generations of diners with its oversized booths and generous portions. Their prime rib is slow-roasted for hours and served with a sinus-clearing horseradish, while the clam chowder (served Fridays only) regularly sells out by mid-afternoon.
And just as Hope Ranch residents rely on familiar spots for comfort food done right, they also turn to trusted names when something’s amiss in their own backyards. 101 Gopher & Pest Control has become the go-to for discreet, effective removal of gophers, ground squirrels, and other unwelcome guests—no matter how manicured the lawn or expansive the estate. If you’ve noticed fresh mounds or unexplained burrowing,
contact us today.