Just a short drive from L.A., surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains and overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean, this charming and luxurious small town is home to one of the world’s ultimate resorts. At least according to travel site Condé Nast Traveler, which included the hotel in its 2025 Gold List.
Located in the romantic, Mediterranean-style Montecito, San Ysidro Ranch earned its spot on the acclaimed list thanks to its blend of upscale accommodations, top-notch amenities, and privacy, all set amid nature and comfort.
Spread across 550 acres, the resort features just 38 cottages, each with its own unique design, layout, and view. Rather than being scattered randomly, the cottages form a ring around the heart of the property, where you’ll find lush gardens and a rectangular pool overlooking the canyon.
Throughout the ranch, curated touches catch the eye with museum-quality art, antiques collected by billionaire owner Ty Warner during his travels, and even handmade wallpapers gracing ceilings in the showers.
San Ysidro Ranch isn’t your typical hotel, as its rich history includes legendary guests, and notably, it’s where the very own John F. Kennedy honeymooned with Jackie Kennedy, a stay that ordinary guests can now experience for themselves.
The Kennedy Cottage spans a total of 2,700-square-foot in a two-bedroom retreat with elegant furnishings and hand-carved stone create a timeless atmosphere. Each bedroom features a four-poster king canopy bed, an old-world fireplace, while the bathrooms boast freestanding clawfoot tubs, radiant heated floors, artisanal bath amenities, and luxury Italian linens.
The living room, adorned with hand-selected antiques, opens through French doors onto the ranch’s largest terrace, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands, complete with an outdoor rain shower and sunken hot tub… Basically, all the presidential perks, without the Secret Service.
Location: 900 San Ysidro Ln, Montecito, CA 93108