Set within the exclusive gated enclave of Rancho Monte Alegre, Black Opal Ranch is a 21-acre coastal compound with sweeping ocean, island, and mountain views. A true homage to a bygone era, the ranch remains a working avocado orchard and retains its original agricultural charm. Meandering through the grounds, you'll discover historic gardens, a weathered barn, a rustic bunkhouse, and the former lemon packing house, transformed by Lutah Riggs into an enchanting residence. Timeless farmworker dwellings still stand, whispering stories of the land's storied past. Whether envisioned as an equestrian haven, an agricultural retreat, or a legacy family compound estate, Black Opal Ranch is your opportunity to a own a remarkable chapter in the living history of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The development rights weave a modern narrative into this historical fabric, which include a Robin Donaldson-designed stunning contemporary main residence with panoramic ocean and mountain views, a large garage and workshop, stables, a horse arena, multiple pastures, plus rights to legally retain three of the current five farm worker dwellings for additional housing for friends, family and staff. The lots within Rancho Monte Alegre are treated as being Williamson Act properties (yielding considerable property tax savings) without the restrictions on land use and transfer/sale that typically accompany Williamson Act properties. Additionally, Rancho Monte Alegre encompasses several thousand acres of private-access conservation land, resulting from an agreement with Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Land Trust. As you traverse the property's expansive terrain, the potential of an equestrian utopia unfolds. Vast pastures, currently used as lemon and avocado orchards, are an idyllic haven for horses. The original lemon packing house has been converted into a charming, rustic home with a soaring living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, an office area, family room, and wraparound porch with vistas of the Pacific and Channel Islands beyond. The property also features a high-producing well and all utilities (high-speed internet, natural gas, electricity, cable, and phone) have been undergrounded to each structure. Black Opal Ranch provides an unprecedented opportunity to own a legacy historical property with entitlements in place to create an incredible equestrian and/or agricultural estate, moments from the beaches and towns of Carpinteria, Summerland, and Montecito.
Single-familyProperty Type
1900Year Built
21.07 acresLot Size
Listed by The Ebbin Group•DRE #01488213• Compass
Bought with Jason Streatfeild•DRE #01834496• Douglas Elliman of California, Inc.
Set within the exclusive gated enclave of Rancho Monte Alegre, Black Opal Ranch is a 21-acre coastal compound with sweeping ocean, island, and mountain views. A true homage to a bygone era, the ranch remains a working avocado orchard and retains its original agricultural charm. Meandering through the grounds, you'll discover historic gardens, a weathered barn, a rustic bunkhouse, and the former lemon packing house, transformed by Lutah Riggs into an enchanting residence. Timeless farmworker dwellings still stand, whispering stories of the land's storied past. Whether envisioned as an equestrian haven, an agricultural retreat, or a legacy family compound estate, Black Opal Ranch is your opportunity to a own a remarkable chapter in the living history of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The development rights weave a modern narrative into this historical fabric, which include a Robin Donaldson-designed stunning contemporary main residence with panoramic ocean and mountain views, a large garage and workshop, stables, a horse arena, multiple pastures, plus rights to legally retain three of the current five farm worker dwellings for additional housing for friends, family and staff. The lots within Rancho Monte Alegre are treated as being Williamson Act properties (yielding considerable property tax savings) without the restrictions on land use and transfer/sale that typically accompany Williamson Act properties. Additionally, Rancho Monte Alegre encompasses several thousand acres of private-access conservation land, resulting from an agreement with Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Land Trust. As you traverse the property's expansive terrain, the potential of an equestrian utopia unfolds. Vast pastures, currently used as lemon and avocado orchards, are an idyllic haven for horses. The original lemon packing house has been converted into a charming, rustic home with a soaring living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, an office area, family room, and wraparound porch with vistas of the Pacific and Channel Islands beyond. The property also features a high-producing well and all utilities (high-speed internet, natural gas, electricity, cable, and phone) have been undergrounded to each structure. Black Opal Ranch provides an unprecedented opportunity to own a legacy historical property with entitlements in place to create an incredible equestrian and/or agricultural estate, moments from the beaches and towns of Carpinteria, Summerland, and Montecito.
SBMLS #25-3258
Oct 15, 2025
Sold
$8,000,000
Oct 14, 2025
Pending
—
Aug 29, 2025
Listed
$10,995,000
SBMLS #25-3259
Oct 15, 2025
Sold
$8,000,000
Oct 14, 2025
Pending
—
Aug 29, 2025
Listed
$10,995,000
+27
Set within the exclusive gated enclave of Rancho Monte Alegre, Black Opal Ranch is a 21-acre coastal compound with sweeping ocean, island, and mountain views. A true homage to a bygone era, the ranch remains a working avocado orchard and retains its original agricultural charm. Meandering through the grounds, you'll discover historic gardens, a weathered barn, a rustic bunkhouse, and the former lemon packing house, transformed by Lutah Riggs into an enchanting residence. Timeless farmworker dwellings still stand, whispering stories of the land's storied past. Whether envisioned as an equestrian haven, an agricultural retreat, or a legacy family compound estate, Black Opal Ranch is your opportunity to a own a remarkable chapter in the living history of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The development rights weave a modern narrative into this historical fabric, which include a Robin Donaldson-designed stunning contemporary main residence with panoramic ocean and mountain views, a large garage and workshop, stables, a horse arena, multiple pastures, plus rights to legally retain three of the current five farm worker dwellings for additional housing for friends, family and staff. The lots within Rancho Monte Alegre are treated as being Williamson Act properties (yielding considerable property tax savings) without the restrictions on land use and transfer/sale that typically accompany Williamson Act properties. Additionally, Rancho Monte Alegre encompasses several thousand acres of private-access conservation land, resulting from an agreement with Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Land Trust. As you traverse the property's expansive terrain, the potential of an equestrian utopia unfolds. Vast pastures, currently used as lemon and avocado orchards, are an idyllic haven for horses. The original lemon packing house has been converted into a charming, rustic home with a soaring living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, an office area, family room, and wraparound porch with vistas of the Pacific and Channel Islands beyond. The property also features a high-producing well and all utilities (high-speed internet, natural gas, electricity, cable, and phone) have been undergrounded to each structure. Black Opal Ranch provides an unprecedented opportunity to own a legacy historical property with entitlements in place to create an incredible equestrian and/or agricultural estate, moments from the beaches and towns of Carpinteria, Summerland, and Montecito.
OVMLS #224138
Jul 29, 2025
Contingent
—
Jun 16, 2025
Pending
—
May 10, 2024
Listed
$10,995,000
TheMLS #24-351275
Jul 29, 2025
Contingent
—
Jun 16, 2025
Pending
—
May 10, 2024
Relisted
—
Apr 4, 2024
Pending
—
Mar 27, 2024
Relisted
—
Feb 20, 2024
Pending
—
Feb 6, 2024
Relisted
—
Feb 2, 2024
Pending
—
Jan 24, 2024
Listed
*
SBMLS #24-158
Aug 27, 2025
Contingent
—
Aug 21, 2025
Listing Removed
—
Jul 25, 2025
Contingent
—
Jun 16, 2025
Pending
—
Jun 16, 2025
Listing Removed
—
May 10, 2024
Relisted
—
Apr 4, 2024
Contingent
—
Mar 26, 2024
Relisted
—
Feb 20, 2024
Contingent
—
Feb 6, 2024
Relisted
—
Feb 2, 2024
Contingent
—
Jan 16, 2024
Listed
$10,995,000
SBMLS #07-2140
Mar 11, 2008
Sold
$5,400,000
Jan 18, 2008
Listing Removed
—
Apr 20, 2007
Listed
$5,750,000
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$65,462 (+0.9%)
$6,111,247 + $705,595
$6,816,842
2024
$64,906
$5,562,427 + $583,860
$6,146,287
Tax history for 1835 Santa Monica Rd
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$65,462 (+0.9%)
$6,111,247 + $705,595
$6,816,842
2024
$64,906
$5,562,427 + $583,860
$6,146,287
*Taxable value of land and structures on it ("additions") is determined regularly by local assessors and does not affect market price.
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Beds
2
Baths
3
Stories
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
21.07 Acres
Year renovated
1955
Sq. Ft.
3,996
Year built
1900
Style
Ranch
County
Santa Barbara County
APN
155170059
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 17, 2026.
AG-I-10
Agricultural I Zone
The AG-I zone is applied to areas appropriate for agricultural use within Urban, Inner Rural, and Existing Developed Rural Neighborhood areas, as designated on the Comprehensive Plan maps. The intent is to provide standards that will support agriculture as a viable land use and encourage maximum agricultural productivity.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Greenhouse / nursery
Agriculture-Other
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Other
Property details
Interior
Bathroom Information
# of Bathrooms (Full): 5
Exterior
Property Information
# Of Buildings: 7
Property Sub Type: Home/Estate
Other Structures: Other, Shed(s), Barn(s), Stable(s), Work Shop, Packing Shed, Foreman's House, Employee Quarters