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Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara

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Front view of the Red House from Refugio Road...
Property grounds
Another Front View
Side yard
Living room view from Dinning room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5137.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Goleta, CA
  • Solvang Brewing Company
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Solvang Festival Theater
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Old Mission Santa Ines
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Santa Ynez, CA (SQA)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen

About this property

Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara

Come stay in our vacation home away from home...A short drive north of Santa Barbara on Hwy 101, just up the canyon from Refugio State Beach and down the hill from President Reagan's Ranch.

This newly renovated home is spacious and has 2 nice size bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, right in the middle of mountains and two creeks on this 214 acre Ranch. It has a screened in porch for morning coffee or drinks at sunset...It also has a large kitchen and living room perfect for entertaining. This is a surfer and wine enthusiast paradise. Come and breathe the fresh air and drink the cool clear water from our own spring.

I also have a one bedroom cabin that is sometimes available. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IT OUT THE LISTING NUMBER IS: 508816

Sorry the Cabin not available at this time ...

Property manager

Joyce Orsua

Languages

English

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Amenities

Kitchen

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Property grounds

Ocean View Nestled in the Santa Barbara Coastline

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
10.0 out of 10, (25 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Nearby road and creek so must take close care of k
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Events

No events allowed
Small parties/events of 12 maximum. 4 cars maximum
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Small parties/events of 12 maximum. 4 cars maximum
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Goleta

Located in Goleta, this holiday home is in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Gaviota State Park and Los Padres National Forest, while Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum and Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Janeway-Parks Carriage House are cultural highlights. Apple Lane Solvang and OstrichLand USA are also worth visiting.
Map
Goleta, CA

What's nearby

  • Refugio State Beach - 11 min drive - 6.0 km
  • El Capitan State Beach - 13 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Solvang Brewing Company - 37 min drive - 42.8 km
  • Solvang Festival Theater - 37 min drive - 43.2 km
  • Old Mission Santa Ines - 37 min drive - 43.5 km

Getting around

  • UC Santa Barbara Station - 27 min drive
  • Santa Ynez, CA (SQA) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sunstone Vineyards & Winery - ‬45 min drive
  • ‪Kalyra Winery - ‬43 min drive
  • ‪BBQ Boot Camp - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Ben Georges Pool Service - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Alisal Ranch Grill - ‬38 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Beautiful Refugio Canyon Hideaway, a Rural location in Santa Barbara located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Refugio State Beach, El Capitan State Beach and Gaviota State Park. Los Padres National Forest is 6.7 mi (10.8 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Karen D., Los Angeles

lovely hideaway in refugio canyon

the is a darling little house tucked away in refugio canyon near goleta and santa barbara. our host, joyce was very accommodating and responsive to all our questions.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica K.

Cute Getaway

Booked this cabin for a girls' night and it was a perfect getaway. It was very clean, comfortable, and modern, and not too far from the towns and wineries that we wanted to visit. Other than the food, the kitchen had everything we needed to make a nice dinner for ourselves. Everyone had a great time and I wish we could have stayed longer!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

MARLON S.

Special Stay

Really enjoyed staying at Joyce's property . It was as expected . Charming and rustic . Really quiet and surrounded by nature . The house was clean and bathrooms were great . Will definitely return . Thanks Joyce :)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nanci A., USA

Beautiful and convenient to the beach

each morning the teenagers rode their bikes to the beach for miles of hiking and exploring while we luxuriated in a quiet house in the trees. We didn't hear a voice or a dog the entire time. So wonderful.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Quaint and charming, ideally situated for the environment.

Joyce was an absolute pleasure, what a sweet woman. Her property is just down the ways from a friends, so it was the perfect location for us. It’s close to the Circle Bar B Ranch as well. Plenty of room for my family of 5, which is what we needed. Would def stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Cheri H.

Beautiful Canyon

This is a lovely location and property. Feels further away and yet close enough to enjoy all that the Santa Yenz wine country and Santa Barbara have to offer. Perfectly located between the two! This property is well maintained with all of the comforts of home. Joyce is a wonderful hostess! Hope to stay again. Thank you Joyce!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jenny W.

Such a beautiful and relaxing home. Everything you need to relax and unwind. Completely comfort.

Joyce’s place was absolutely perfect for our weekend getaway. Very clean, comfortable, and well appointed. Joyce was so accommodating, helpful and welcoming. Absolutely an A+++ HomeAway experience!!! Very highly recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dan C.

Lovely home in great setting

The place was great, settled in trees just outside of the Santa Barbara area. It’s beautiful, but what truly made the difference was our host, Joyce. She went above and beyond to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. She is possibly the nicest and most patient person walking the planet today. If everyone was like Joyce, the world would be a much better place.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Brent P.

Wonderfully serene and beautiful!

We stayed a week but it wasn’t long enough. A day at the beach, a day exploring the property and the road overlooking the canyon. I even painted an incredible view a few miles up the road. We went horseback riding and enjoyed the museums in Santa Barbara. The food, wineries and breweries in the area are incredible. After each busy day we came back and relaxed in the house which had everything we needed. Joyce made us feel right at home on her 200+ acres. Although the area is beautiful in the summer we’re hoping to make it back in the spring when everything is green and the water is really running. If you’re looking for a place in the woods a few minutes from the best beach in the area I would highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

99ye34hme2R4Ki3duSB2q1bb09zcZAIZ3fcsOT+Qsub5lQibIrdZZKhX5pDM133K 9.

Want to live happily ever after here...

Oh, the dilemma... I want to do right by this enchanting retreat, but I also fear drawing attention to it! So selfish ;-) Alas, I must share how magical our stay was... Nestled in peaceful hills, surrounded by trees with sunlight weaving its way through their leaves, and the songs of birds creating your background music. I swear I was ready for Cinderella, Aurora, or Snow White to walk by with forest creatures in tow at any moment. Wake up and open the glass French doors of your bedroom to let in the morning air as you sip your coffee. Take a nap on the screen porch as your best friend practices archery in the backyard. Sip Veuve Clicquot while indulging in some Rusty’s Pizza, while watching a movie on your laptop that you downloaded before your arrival. In the morning, head down the hill and across the street to enjoy one of Santa Barbara County’s lovely beaches (Refugio is right down the hill, but there are several close by). This is just the highlight reel. This property is definitely one of VRBO’s gems, and I have been booking VRBO properties since 2009. As noted in the listing, the WiFi is not strong, but...thank God it’s not.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Steve Z.

Five stars!

We loved the charming house and quiet setting and will be back again in the future! Thank you so very much! Steve Zellmer Claire Emery
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ben W., Los Angeles, CA

Cozy canyon getaway!

We stayed at Joyce's place over Thanksgiving weekend and had a blast. It was the perfect size for us (family of 4, including 2 toddlers), along with two friends! The screened porch was so peaceful for eating meals. The location is up a ways but really convenient right off the freeway. She was responsive to all of our questions, and was a gracious host. We hope to be back up someday in the future. Thanks again Joyce!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

David K., Los Angeles, California

Well located, low-key with the flavor of an older California time.

Joyce was welcoming and helpful throughout our short stay in the red house in Saralegui Ranch. The two-bedroom, two bath-home is a tidy spot about four miles up from the 101 and some great CA State beaches. The rooms were spacious, the kitchen was practical and in good order, the bathrooms clean and well-lit and our stay was comfortable. The house does have some rustic qualities which might be minimized by having more frequent guests and some updating (screens to keep the bugs out at night and in the morning, better access to the wifi and faster service, a general airing out before guest arrival as it was a bit musty and a bit dusty), but it's in a great setting, has the feel of history, it's quiet and unpretentious. The wine towns are about thirty to forty minutes away, just up the 101, but if you want to hunker down and make your own meals, explore the area by foot and by car, you will be in great shape. There are no nearby stores or restaurants so stock up before you arrive. It was expensive (more than $500 a night for the two nights with all of the fees added in; the nightly number will lower a bit if the fees are stretched over more nights) but there isn't much competition in this sparsely-populated and very quiet part of California. Overall, it's a quiet and rustic and comfortable spot in an interesting and attractive location; maybe not a great value but definitely a nice place to stay and relax and as a base from which to explore the region.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Mary-Ann R.

Peaceful Retreat

My family and I had the pleasure of staying at this tranquil property hidden away in the Refugio Canyon and could not have had a better stay. The owner, Joyce, was so helpful and friendly and made us feel so welcomed. Looking forward to staying in one of her other properties soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andreas A.

Fantastic getaway in the mountains

I took my parents (visiting from Norway) to Santa Barbara for Memorial Day weekend. My parents are both outdoor people, we loved the fact that this place was a little drive away from downtown Santa Barbara, so we could come back to our retreat and relax after a long day in Santa Barbara. The place was fantastic, and Joyce was a great host! We'd love to come back next time as well!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hiten A.

Very secluded location with modern amenities

We were there for only 1 night, but it was awesome. The house is perfect for 4-6 people. bedrooms are large and the kitchen is nicely stocked. There was coffee, Spices, some condiments. We could have brought some groceries from Goleta, (about 15 min drive). I liked the little diary the owner left for feedback, and I suggested she could upgrade the Tv's to some flat screens, and bug light in the outside patio would be nice to keep those pesky bugs out of the patio, so people can enjoy it in the evening.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pamela S.

comfortable cabin for a quiet "retreat"!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in beautiful Refugio Canyon under the canopy of historic Sycamores and Oaks. The cabin was clean and well furnished, and Joyce was most helpful in answering our questions and explaining the history of the ranch. We took advantage of the close proximity to the beach (kayaking & surf fishing) and had some great meals in Goleta & Santa Barbara. When we weren't out exploring we enjoyed time on the cabin's screened porch - so relaxing!! We hope to make this a regular destination for a "stay-cation"!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Noya G.

A very nice stay

We happened to stay at the ranch house on the hottest weekend in July. Joyce was quick to supply fans which helped a lot and the nights were a bit cooler. The house was super clean & comfortable for the 4 of us + a small baby. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Karen C., Birmingham, Alabama

Beautiful California Retreat

Off the beaten path, at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, just down the road from Santa Barbara, you'll find this secret treasure of a house. The house itself is clean and really spacious with beautiful landscaping backing up to woods and a brook. We felt right at home meeting Joyce (who lives up the road) and her homey touches throughout the property. There's a wonderful screen porch for relaxing. Or you could rent horses at the ranch steps away and take a guided ride through the mountains. Santa Barbara and Solvang (the Danish capital of the United States) are just a short car ride away for beaches, shops and great restaurants. Ronald Reagan retreated to his ranch above in the mountains up this same road. You'll see why. Thank you, Joyce, for vacation we'll never forget. We hope to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Poornima S.

Great Holiday Home

The Home was absolutely great, clean and perfect. Good destination away from the city. Joyce is super cool, she arranged all the things needed. We thought we could have stayed more but could not. Its little away from the city but great location. I would definetely recommend to others and will be back if possible.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2015
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathy D., Kingwood

Fun Getaway

We enjoyed our stay very much. Joyce was very accommodating & friendly and went out of her way to make us comfortable(we forgot to buy ice but she very kindly provided us with some). The rental itself was super clean, homey and had everything we needed. The weather was still warm enough to enjoy a morning coffee in the screened porch & was a great way to start our day. We did a lot of exploring and found several very good restaurants. To name a few; Ellen's Danish Pancake House (breakfast), Fresco Valley Cafe in Solvang (lunch - great service, food was perfect), and best of all was dinner at Brother's Restaurant At The Red Barn in Santa Ynez (it was a little expensive but worth every penny). We went to a couple of nearby wineries and shopped and explored in Solvang and the surrounding areas. We came back every evening tired but happy. This getaway was just what we were looking for - thank you Joyce.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gale B.

Fantastic Stay for my family.

We had a family gathering here and it was so great. Joyce was so friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this for others. Beautiful surroundings. I really enjoyed our time. About 20 mins north of Glenn Annie Storke Road. I would definitely stay here again. Thank you for the wonderful time Joyce.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Preetham G.

Beautiful, peaceful, quiet place

People who want to go to the Santa Barbara area to really get away will love this place. If you want to be close to downtown, then this is not the right place for you - it is a 20+ minute drive, but it is such a lovely spot. Quiet and very comfortable. The beach is not too far away and the drive to 101 is just 3 miles. We enjoyed every moment of our stay and will definitely consider staying here when we return to the area.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anthony C.

Fantastic place!

The owner of this property is magnificent, the location is magnificent, the house is magnificent....so this entire stay here was fantastic! I would not hesitate to stay here again. Very relaxing, surreal and accommodating. Nothing like the seclusion, yet close to all sorts of activities. Enjoy your stay!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas K.

Oak forests, Majestic Sycamore trees, a creek, and the beach....California at it's best

I'm almost afraid to write this review....because I want this place all to myself! It is the perfect spot for a family to enjoy the outdoors (hiking, biking, wildlife watching, and relaxing days at the beach). Only a short drive to Santa Barbara to experience what the city has to offer...yet it feels worlds away. It's a wonderful old cabin that the owner has made great for small families or romantic getaways...lovely inside without the dated feel of other rentals. It's not fussy, instead feels just like your home if someone was cleaning it immaculately. Slow internet is the only possible drawback...but why would you be on you computer with so much lovely outside.

About the host

Hosted by Joyce Orsua

Host profile image
I grew up here on this ranch with my 5 sisters and 2 brothers. I am granddaughter to Ramon Mateo Saralegui from Spain, who originally homesteaded this Ranch in 1886. He met my grandmother Dolores also from Spain, here in Santa Barbara and they were married.Together they had two children. My father Bernard and his sister Anne. My dad was a very hard working man. He met and married my mother Maxine in 1946. He was a Rancher and built the main Ranch house while working full time at the Gas Co. My mother Maxine was a homemaker and designer of the Ranch house that my dad built...
As children we spent a lot of time outdoors, especially in the creek and at our Refugio Beach in the summertime...What fun!

I currently live here in the Ranch house where we have had most of our family gatherings throughout the years. We have also had several weddings on the property so if you are interested in having a wedding here or some other small event please let me know. There are many beautiful sites to choose from that could potentially be perfect for you.

Why they chose this property

I own this property because it was passed down to me. We have owned it since the 1800's and I have the honor of being the caretaker of this unique piece of heaven on earth...

What makes this property unique

Not only do I love my home and this property because I grew up here and have so many memories but it's really the perfect location. If you want quiet relaxation it's as good as it gets. It's only a short distance to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. If you want to go horseback riding it's only 5 minutes away. In just 20-30 minutes South you can go to Goleta or Santa Barbara, where you can find any number of activities. You can also go North to the Santa Ynez Valley where there is a nice variety of eatery's and winery's to visit or see a movie...

Languages:

English
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