Private Gardens of Santa Barbara

An exclusive look at the exquisite residential gardens of the American Riviera.

Private Gardens of Santa Barbara is an invitation into eighteen distinctive private gardens: large estates, modest homes, and surf retreats run the gamut from sublime and naturalistic to bold and urban. What they have in common, however, is what makes them truly great. These gardens are a response to the unique character of each site, the existing architecture, and the larger environment; and adapted to the lifestyle, personality, and practical needs of the people who live there.

Margie Grace, principal of Grace Design Associates, is known for incorporating as many ecosystem services as the property will support such as living soils, pollinator services, animal habitats, and storm water retention. These gardens are designed with water-smart, maintenance-smart, and fire-smart priorities in mind, with high habitat value and plants native to the world’s Mediterranean climates.