Santa Barbara

Bellosguardo – Clark Estate

Perched on a bluff above East Beach, Bellosguardo – the Clark Estate is one of Santa Barbara’s most distinctive historic properties. The approximately 24-acre oceanfront estate was created for Anna Clark and her daughter, heiress and artist Huguette Clark, and remained remarkably preserved for decades after the family stopped visiting Santa Barbara.

Bellosguardo-Santa-Barbara-CA

Aerial view of Bellosguardo, Santa Barbara. CC0 / Wikimedia Commons.

Historic Estate • Architecture • Art & Culture • Guided Tours

Perched on a bluff above East Beach, Bellosguardo – the Clark Estate is one of Santa Barbara’s most distinctive historic properties. The approximately 24-acre oceanfront estate was created for Anna Clark and her daughter, heiress and artist Huguette Clark, and remained remarkably preserved for decades after the family stopped visiting Santa Barbara.

Today, Bellosguardo is operated by the nonprofit Bellosguardo Foundation, established to preserve the estate and promote the arts. Small docent-led tours provide visitors with a rare opportunity to experience portions of the historic mansion and grounds while learning about the Clark family, the architecture of the estate, its artwork and furnishings, and the unusual story of Huguette Clark.

For generations of Santa Barbara residents, Bellosguardo was the mysterious mansion visible above Cabrillo Boulevard but largely inaccessible behind private gates. Limited public tours are now gradually introducing visitors to a property that remained virtually unknown to the public for much of the twentieth century.

Why Visit Bellosguardo?

Bellosguardo combines Santa Barbara history, architecture, art and an extraordinary oceanfront setting.

Visitors can learn about:

  • The Clark family and their connection to Santa Barbara
  • Heiress, artist and collector Huguette Clark
  • The French-influenced mansion designed by architect Reginald Davis Johnson
  • Original furnishings, artwork and decorative details preserved within the estate
  • Bellosguardo’s gardens and panoramic coastal setting
  • The unusual preservation of the property during Huguette Clark’s decades-long absence
  • The Clark family’s connection to the nearby Andrée Clark Bird Refuge

Because Bellosguardo remained a private residence rather than operating for decades as a conventional museum, visiting the estate offers a particularly unusual glimpse into an earlier period of Santa Barbara history.

Tours & Reservations

Advance reservations are required.

Bellosguardo currently offers small docent-led tours rather than regular daily admission.

Tour tickets are released periodically, generally every few months, and frequently sell out quickly. Visitors interested in touring the estate should join the Bellosguardo Foundation’s email list to receive announcements when new tour dates become available.

Do not plan to visit Bellosguardo as a walk-in attraction. Tour dates, availability, admission prices and areas of the estate included in a tour may change.

Recommended: Check the official Bellosguardo website and reserve before making plans to visit.

Location

Bellosguardo – Clark Estate
1407 East Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

The estate occupies the bluff above East Beach near the Santa Barbara Zoo and directly above the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge.

Visitor Access & Parking

Bellosguardo is a controlled-access historic property and is not open for unrestricted public entry.

Visitors should follow the arrival and parking instructions provided with their tour reservation.

Current access regulations do not permit tour visitors to simply park at East Beach or along Cabrillo Boulevard and walk onto the estate. Approved visitor access uses designated on-site parking and/or arranged transportation as directed for the particular tour or event.

Visitors with mobility or accessibility requirements should contact the Bellosguardo Foundation before purchasing tickets or visiting, as access conditions and the portions of the historic property available to visitors may vary.

Hours

No regular daily public hours.

Bellosguardo is accessible during scheduled tours, programs and special events.

Check the official website for current availability.

Admission

Ticketed tours and events.

Prices and availability vary by program. Advance reservations are recommended and may be required.

Website

https://www.bellosguardo.org/

Tour Information

https://www.bellosguardo.org/visit/

Phone

(805) 969-3220

Nearby Attractions

Bellosguardo is located near several other Santa Barbara attractions, including:

  • Andrée Clark Bird Refuge
  • East Beach
  • Santa Barbara Zoo
  • Cabrillo Boulevard
  • Chase Palm Park
  • Santa Barbara Waterfront

Good to Know

Reservations: Required for tours
Walk-ins: No
Guided Tours: Yes
Historic Property: Yes
Indoor & Outdoor Areas: Tour-dependent
Parking: Follow reservation instructions
Photography: Check current tour rules before visiting
Events: Selected cultural programs and special events are offered periodically
Recommended Visit Length: Allow approximately 1½–2 hours unless otherwise stated with your reservation

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Bellosguardo: The Santa Barbara Mansion Frozen in Time

For the remarkable story of William Andrews Clark, Anna Clark, Huguette Clark, the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, the rebuilding of Bellosguardo and the mansion that was maintained for decades for an owner who never returned, read our complete Santa Barbara Local historical feature:

Bellosguardo: The Santa Barbara Mansion Frozen in Time

 

Visitor information can change. Check directly with the Bellosguardo Foundation for current tour schedules, admission, accessibility and arrival instructions before visiting.