THE SAN YSIDRO RANCH:

An Exclusive Country Retreat for Lovers

by Terri Mandell (for Wedding Day magazine)

If you've ever been a guest at the San Ysidro Ranch in the hills above Santa Barbara, California, thenyou're already privy to one of California's most beautiful secrets. If you're considering having your wedding there (like Lawrence Olivier and Vivien Leigh did in the 1920's), then you're in for the ultimate in country elegance. If you're also planning to spend your honeymoon there (like John and Jacqueline Kennedy and dozens of other celebrities have), then your decision is a wise one, and your taste is impeccable. And if you can afford all of above, then you're thrice blessed.

The San Ysidro Ranch is not only beautiful, magical and exclusive, it's set on some of the most scenic and valuable land in the west. "The Ranch" has been rated one of the 300 best hotels in the world, and claims among its patrons some of the most prestigious vacationers in the world. So be prepared for high prices, which are more than worth it for the ultimate in pampering (you'll find your name in wooden letters hung on your cottage door when you arrive), food that is other-worldly (the chef grows his own herbs and vegetables on the property), and pristine guest cottages that are romantic beyond anything you can imagine.

The 540-acre San Ysidro Ranch celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, though the earliest records show that the ranch began as a way station for Franciscan monks in the late 1700's. One of the original adobe buildings from this period still stands on the property, and is often used for small weddings and parties of less than 20 people. It's a rare and charming sight to behold, an ultra- formal table set in the center of a room made of ancient clay walls on a floor of rough-hewn wooden planks. What an idea! Not long after the property was purchased by two farming partners who turned it into a successful citrus grove, it began its new incarnation as a guest ranch, originally designed for 40 people. It was considered a stylish resort from start when it opened in 1893, attracting wealthy and powerful people from the east (no small feat when you remember that they had to travel by train to get there.

Eventually the place was bought by actor Ronald Coleman and his partner Alvin Weingand, who operated it as an exclusive hideaway for friends and celebrated guests, including Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Audrey Hepburn and Groucho Marks. These days, the ranch continues to attract entertainment, political and corporate superstars, but to respect their privacy, policy prohibits the ranch from revealing the names of any living celebrities who visit (a good reason for the rich and famous to stay there). In 1987, the property was purchased by the management team of the famed Napa Valley resort, Auberge du Soleil, who are committed to preserving its history and maintaining it as a premier hideaway.

Hundred of varieties of flowers bloom on the property year-round, and every building is covered in cascading vines and surrounded by well-tended gardens. The ranch is tucked away into a rustic canyon between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific, where one is never far from a sweeping ocean vista. But it was the hiking trails that attracted us --miles of them meandering into the mountains past natural waterfalls and wild scenery. The ranch even has its own stables, so if hiking doesn't appeal to you, riding is always an option. To native Californians like us, a glimpse of what our overpopulated state looked like to its first settlers is, well, unsettling, when you realize how much of its natural beauty has been lost to the growing metropolis that is southern California.

On the ranch grounds, guest cottages are sequestered throughout, in forest glades, atop hills or close to the restaurant and central activity areas. Each cottage is named after a flower, and no two cottages are alike, from one-room standards to two-bedroom suites, with a wide range in-between. Every guest room has at least one wood-burning fireplace (our suite, "Geranium," had one in each room), television (our suite had two), courtesy bar and private deck (ours had its own Jacuzzi). And while the cottages have a rustic edge to them, they are by no means primitive. Interiors are rich with amenities, and decorated with antiques, flowing fabrics, quilt-covered beds and fresh flowers. Kindling and logs are delivered each day, and the morning paper arrives tied with a red ribbon at your doorstep each morning. And -- important for honeymooners -- room service is available 24 hours a day. If you really want to indulge, massages and a variety of spa treatments can be scheduled in your room (for an extra charge).

The San Ysidro property is situated on sloping site, with the stables at the bottom and the pool at the top. The poolside experience includes food and beverage service, a state-of-the-art fitness room complete with a VCR and a good selection of videos, and a spectacular ocean view. Neighboring multi-million dollar homes dot the adjacent hillsides, and the effect is to feel as if you're living among the very rich in your own private estate.

For weddings, there are several sites to choose from, but by far the most popular is the Wedding Garden, located in the center of the complex, which features an enormous flower garden that explodes in color year-round. Under brilliant sea-blue skies, surrounded by mountains, wildlife and the sea itself, a picture-perfect wedding is guaranteed. Wedding night and honeymoon packages are available (such as free wedding night accommodations for the bride and group for parties of 75 or more) as well as group rates for family and friends.

No doubt this beautiful resort will be hosting weddings for another hundred years to come. Because elegance like this is as appealing as it is timeless. The San Ysidro Ranch is located about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, To reach the ranch for more information, call (800) 368-6788.

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