Annual Home and Garden Tour

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been showcasing beautiful homes and gardens throughout Carpinteria for 20 years. Our annual tour has featured a total of 103 homes and gardens. An impressive tribute to our charm, our creativity, and our commitment to this community.

Our “little beach town with a big heart” just keeps getting better!

Scroll down for photos and descriptions of this year’s featured homes.

The tour is self-guided and stretches from hilltop, to beachfront, and throughout town. Guests should wear soft-soled shoes and be prepared for walking and stair climbing.

Carpinteria Beautiful is profoundly grateful to the generous owners who share their homes with the community and to our loyal ticket buyers who make the event a success each year.

The tour, always the last Saturday in April, is the culmination of Carpinteria Beautiful Month. As Carpinteria Beautiful’s primary fundraiser, tour proceeds help pay for many community beautification projects like the tile murals at Linden Plaza.

Highlights of the 2017 Tour

• Our Little Gem: This is the first year we feature a custom designed manufactured home that exemplifies the charms of small-space living. Its 1100 square feet are enhanced with a light-hearted, whimsical décor and complemented by expansive views over the Carpinteria Salt Marsh. It’s not about square footage, its about living a lifestyle and this home is a shining example of the unique spaces we call home in Carpinteria.
• Church Lane Mid Century Modern: Carpinteria may be a beach community, but that doesn’t limit our design choices. Featured in a upcoming addition of dwell magazine, this home is located on a very quiet street close to downtown, but it makes a bold style statement that is fresh and exciting. Clean lines, innovative materials and furnished with pops of lively colors; this house is a true showstopper. A wall of windows, skylights and soaring 15-foot ceiling heights make a dramatic impact on the indoor/outdoor living concept. You will also appreciate the relaxing patio and thoughtful landscapes of this home. It’s a wonderful surprise on our tour.
• Shepard Mesa Home: Guests will be whisked up a magnificent tree-lined road to a little known area of Shepard Mesa. This 3500 sq. ft. multi-level home was built in the mid-1980s and recently updated by its current homeowners with hints of Japanese inspired décor. The home’s many windows and expansive deck fill the interior with sweeping vistas of the naturally beautiful Carpinteria foothills and peeks of the ocean. The home’s landscape designer, Geri Elfman of Hawkeye Landscape Design will be on site to highlight the entertaining patio with a featured grinding stone fountain. You will be inspired by the homeowner’s use of space in a non-traditional way that enhances their Carpinteria lifestyle. The converted garage now facilitates an inspiring artist studio and a playful loft for smaller guests.
• Remodeled Spanish: Built in 1926, this Spanish style home was one of the original “Hendy” houses that was instrumental in setting the tone and style of building of the Carpinteria Valley in the early 1920s. While the home has been updated and expanded, many architectural features such as arched entryways and custom built-ins keep this home truly connected with its past. The owners, avid fine antique collectors, lovingly display their treasures throughout the interior and exterior of the home. Playing center stage in the charming 20th century kitchen is the 1930’s White Star oven. The front landscaping of this home has been thoughtfully updated with drought tolerant plantings, while the back yard has a private patio area and dry creek that occasionally serves as drainage during heavy rain.
• Spanish Farm House: A stately Star Pine tree and gated entryway draw you in to this 2.5-acre property located close to the heart of downtown Carpinteria. Also one of the famed “Hendy” houses, this home was built in 1921, a full restoration of this Spanish Farm House was completed in 2015. From the 100 year old redwood beams and the welcoming courtyard, you will appreciate the effort to remain true to the history and heart of this home. With an abundance of mature trees and over 150 avocado trees, this house also hosts a “Well House” that now serves as a guest room, a lovely entertaining space and welcoming patios for friends and family to gather and enjoy the Carpinteria sunshine. The homeowners, who are committed to water conservation, utilize an 8000-gallon cistern and onsite well to service their landscaping. Something new this year, along with our traditional cookies and lemonade, we will be bringing you the soothing sounds of local musician Rick Reeves. Get ready for a real treat for all your senses.

Highlights of the 2015 Tour

• Concha Loma House: Lovingly remodeled Classic Ranch Style home. The color palette, materials and use of space celebrate the ocean and surf lifestyle.
• House of the Arches: Casa de la Arches is a stunning Spanish Hacienda that sits on a peaceful knoll overlooking the ocean. Join us pool side to enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains and our delicious home baked cookies and lemonade.
• Toro Canyon Home: A spacious Craftsman wood-shingle home with a newly renovated kitchen and vaulted ceilings in the attached granny unit. This house has earned the National Wildlife Habitat award and is considered by hummingbirds and butterflies as “the spot to be in Carpinteria!”
• Sandyland Beach House: You simply cannot get any closer to the “World’s Safest Beach” and you might even be tempted to take your shoes off and put your toes in the sand. This is true Carpinteria living.
• International House: Yes, you’re still in Carpinteria, but it feels like South Africa with the homeowner’s charming collection of collectibles and handmade treasures. The outside of this home also boasts an impressive collection of succulents.

Highlights of the 2014 Tour

The Home & Garden Tour is all about inspiration, creativity and celebrating the small community with a big heart. This year we are excited to offer five very unique homes and one expansive outdoor garden.

• Rincon House: Seven acres with a lush tropical flare includes a formal rose garden, an enchanting tiki hut and pool house, and unlimited views of the ocean and mountains.
• Bates Ranch House: Historically restored, this 5,000 sq ft 1928 Adobe Ranch enjoys views of Rincon Point.
• Shepard Mesa: Post-modern contemporary home embodies the true meaning of “Living with Art.”
• Mission Terrace: Our annual “Little Gem” is full of charm.
• 3rd Street: This Spanish-Mediterranean home, in the heart of Carpinteria, features a recently remodeled kitchen, eclectic art collections, and a John Wullbrandt mural.
• Nantucket Beach House: Just blocks from the beach. Water wise front yard and lots of casual comfortable charm.

The charm of beach town was evident this year’s six properties that ranged from the beach to the foothills and all around town.

• Contemporary condo right on the sand.
• New cluster of eight downtown cottages with bright cozy interiors.
• Remodeled 30’s home on four lush acres atop Shepard Mesa.
• Concha Loma home with extensive collection of vintage memorabilia.
• Exceptional Japanese style home on Rincon Point.
• Stunningly renovated Concha Loma home in sleek modern design.

  

Highlights of the 2012 Tour

The 2012 Home & Garden Tour featured five distinctive homes – with fresh ideas for “green” landscaping, one-of-a-kind decorating, and clever remodeling.

• Contemporary beachfront getaway.
• Charming newly renovated side by side cottages near beach.
• Totally renovated neighborhood home with a green philosophy.
• Spacious newly built 2-story Craftsman featuring stained glass skylights and impressive stonework in newly landscaped yard.
• Hillside setting for appealing bungalow with ocean view and impressive garden, example of sustainable landscaping.

Highlights of the 2011 Tour

• Spectacular equestrian estate in foothills.
• Fun-filled eclectic home in park-like setting.
• Contemporary beachfront getaway in gated enclave.
• Idyllic hillside setting for a barn turned into a showcase home.
• Charming newly-built cottage style duplex near beach.

  

  

  

Highlights of the 2010 Tour

• Historic early 1900s Sears catalog bungalow that was literally sawed in half and reassembled to create a charming beach getaway.
• “Green” dream home for a family that loves to entertain, nestled against the hills in a park-like setting with gorgeous natural stone.
• Soothing, art-filled beachfront paradise that is party-ready with two kitchens and multiple decks offering dazzling ocean views.
• New downtown farmhouse that hearkens to the past with salvaged old forest redwood features and a 2-story garage for vintage cars.
• Marvelously landscaped, well-appointed Craftsman-style ranch home that boasts stunning mountain views and natural creek-side beauty.