With a Mediterranean climate, sea breezes and predominately Spanish architecture, Santa Barbara, California, is often likened to an American Riviera.
And its location some 90 miles from Los Angeles’ affluent Westside has made it a favorite haunt of Hollywood, high net worth individuals and avid golfers alike.
Walls of glass allow sight lines through the interiors.
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This architectural home in a quiet, gated community is near the 17th hole of private Valley Club of Montecito golf course, which is set against a mountain backdrop.
Sometimes described as “a little jewel,” the house is both “unexpected” and “hidden from the street” on an acre lot, says listing agent Casey Turpin of Village Properties. “The owner has created an insane entrance garden full of bromeliads and orchids.”
Among other outstanding characteristics are the views, which take in the sprawling clubhouse as well as the course – designed in 1929 by Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter during California’s Golden Age of golf architecture.
A bank of second-story windows bring additional light into the open-concept living room.
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But perhaps most noteworthy is the architectural provenance. One of the original homes in the family oriented neighborhood, the house was designed by and for prolific architect John Kelsey in 1984. He sold the next year to the current owners.
Kelsey partnered with USC classmate Thornton Ladd in designing Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum as well as USC’s Student Activities Complex, the CalArts Complex and the Herrick Chapel of Occidental College.
The dining room has a wall of glass that brings in views of the swimming pool and landscaping.
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His focus on form, volume and light is evident in the Santa Barbara home.
Entered through the walled garden courtyard, the residence opens to a two-story living room with expansive views. A bank of windows follows the vaulted ceiling line of the open-plan living space, flooding the room with light.
A breakfast bar is adjacent to the linear kitchen.
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A flat ceiling defines the attached dining room on one side of the living room. A cozy alcove with a fireplace sits on the other side. A breakfast bar overlooks the sleek step-down kitchen.
There’s a main floor bedroom suite with a full bathroom as well as a large library/sitting room with garden views.
Golf course and mountain views continue in the second floor primary suite, which includes an open lounge, two full bathrooms and a covered terrace.
A swimming pool sits in a sunken courtyard at the rear of the house.
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The detached pool house contains another en-suite bedroom for total of three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Mature trees that look like sculptures surround the 26-foot square swimming pool, which occupies a sunken courtyard.
The asking price for 1922 Jelinda Drive, Santa Barbara, California, is US $7.25 million.
Views take in the golf course and the mountains beyond.
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Turpin says there are only about a half-dozen properties near this price point on the market in the area right now and that homes move quickly – often in a week. Adding to the appeal of this house, she says, is that “neighboring homes are priced a bit higher – some in the $20-million-to-$24-million range.”
She envisions a couple or single person as the buyer. “Someone willing to take on a project,” Turpin says. “The house has tons of potential. It’s due for its next chapter.”
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