So much magic is hiding behind a gate! I love to imagine what secret beauties are lying within! Just take a drive through any part of Montecito and your imagination can run wild with secret manicured porteres, lush tropical hideways, ancient european villas and of course graceful trickling fountians. The joy of it is the mystery and romance that these gates provide.
Of course I have my favorites. On De la Guerra, downtown, the gate enclosing Merriden Studios is one of the most romantic I've ever seen. Look how ancient it looks. The building hiding behind it doesn't disappoint-Georgeous!!
Padaro Lane is full of fantastic gates. I have two that I love- one more traditional-it has a cape cod feel, very sophisticated. An ivy vine is growing on its walls, and majestic sycamores line the drive behind it. The other, while incorperating the sandstone look that is so Santa Barbara, this gate has a cobble, beach-stone feel that is absolutely enchanting!
The last gate I am including is an extreme gate for an extreme estate!! Situated above Butterfly Beach is the grand home and gardens of Ty Warner. This gate gives you a hint at the grand lifestyle lying within. Take a leisurely walk along the bike path above Butterfly Beach and you will catch a glimpse of a larger than life European Villa with expansive promande and lushly-tropical gardens. You can even hear a trickling fountian in a deep grotto over the wall. What magic!!
I encourage everyone to find their own favorite gates around this beautiful city. The search can be great fun, and you never know what you may find around the next corner!
SR
