1835 Santa Monica Road

Set within the exclusive gated enclave of Rancho Monte Alegre, Black Opal Ranch is a 21-acre coastal compound with sweeping ocean, island, and mountain views. A true homage to a bygone era, the ranch remains a working avocado orchard and retains its original agricultural charm. Meandering through the grounds, you'll discover historic gardens, a weathered barn, a rustic bunkhouse, and the former lemon packing house, transformed by Lutah Riggs into an enchanting residence. Timeless farmworker dwellings still stand, whispering stories of the land's storied past. Whether envisioned as an equestrian haven, an agricultural retreat, or a legacy family compound estate, Black Opal Ranch is your opportunity to a own a remarkable chapter in the living history of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The development rights weave a modern narrative into this historical fabric, which include a Robin Donaldson-designed stunning contemporary main residence with panoramic ocean and mountain views, a large garage and workshop, stables, a horse arena, multiple pastures, plus rights to legally retain three of the current five farm worker dwellings for additional housing for friends, family and staff.The lots within Rancho Monte Alegre are treated as being Williamson Act properties (yielding considerable property tax savings) without the restrictions on land use and transfer/sale that typically accompany Williamson Act properties. Additionally, Rancho Monte Alegre encompasses several thousand acres of private-access conservation land, resulting from an agreement with Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Land Trust. As you traverse the property's expansive terrain, the potential of an equestrian utopia unfolds. Vast pastures, currently used as lemon and avocado orchards, are an idyllic haven for horses.The original lemon packing house has been converted into a charming, rustic home with a soaring living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, an office area, family room, and wraparound porch with vistas of the Pacific and Channel Islands beyond.The property also features a high-producing well and all utilities (high-speed internet, natural gas, electricity, cable, and phone) have been undergrounded to each structure.Black Opal Ranch provides an unprecedented opportunity to own a legacy historical property with entitlements in place to create an incredible equestrian and/or agricultural estate, moments from the beaches and towns of Carpinteria, Summerland, and Montecito.