THE LIFESTYLE
JTR
RANCH
1915 Monte Alegre Drive, Carpinteria
Presented by Graham Goodfield
RANCHO MONTE ALEGRE STORY THE OF
Welcome to Rancho Monte Alegre, a place where Hollywood’s elite have historically gathered, including legends like John Wayne. This historic 2,800-acre property offers a rare opportunity to design your dream home and lifestyle, commanded by breathtaking ocean, coastline, and mountain views.
Rancho Monte Alegre stands within the long history of the Carpinteria Valley, a region first inhabited by the Chumash people, whose villages flourished for thousands of years in the mild climate and abundant landscape of the California Central Coast. Spanish explorers arrived in 1769 and later established missions and presidios, transforming the region and ushering in the era of ranchos in the mid-1800s.
In 1878, Charles Victor Hall purchased land on Santa Monica Creek and established Box Canyon Ranch,
the property known today as Rancho Monte Alegre. Hall introduced agriculture, horse breeding, and dairy cattle to the land. He sold the ranch in the early 1890s to Major Joel Adams Fithian, who renamed it Rancho Miramar.
Under the Fithian family, the ranch expanded and flourished. Joel Remington Fithian (son of Joel A.) enlarged the property, developed reservoirs, and cultivated profitable citrus orchards. In 1930 he renamed the property Rancho Monte Alegre. The ranch became a hub for stagecoaches and continued to be developed through the generations.
The Goodfield Estate, just down the road from Rancho Monte Alegre, is home to Graham Goodfield and his family. As the head of Los Padres Outfitters, Graham has played a large part in the modern development of Rancho Monte Alegre, establishing the trails and cultivating the equestrian paradise it’s known for today.
Within the gates of the historic, 3,000-acre Rancho Monte Alegre, JTR Ranch is a rare 10-acre legacy property offering privacy, scale, and extraordinary access to nature—just minutes from Montecito and the beach.
Spanning approximately 8,010 square feet, the residence captures sweeping ocean and mountain views from nearly every room. Designed with a reverence for European craftsmanship, the home
features 200-year-old hand-hewn coffered ceilings, Belgian wide-plank French oak floors, and multiple French limestone fireplaces. A dramatic two-story stone fireplace anchors the grand living room, where walls of glass frame the coastline beyond. The formal dining room seats fourteen with ease, while the chef’s kitchen—appointed with a six-burner range, four ovens, dual dishwashers, butler’s pantry, and seated wet bar—was designed for both elevated entertaining and everyday living.
The floor plan balances grandeur with comfort: a warm family room with fireplace, expansive media center, breakfast/game nook, walk-out lower level with wine cellar and billiards space, mudroom with drip-dry station, and multiple powder rooms. A Romeo and Juliet balcony overlooks the grounds, and upstairs a gallery library and two generous offices create refined workfrom-home spaces. With all furnishings included, this home comes ready for you to make it your own.
Four private suites—three king and one queen—along with a custom bunk room designed to sleep ten, provide exceptional accommodations. The primary suite is a retreat unto itself, complete with soaking tub, oversized wardrobe, and a discreet secondary staircase offering both privacy and peace of mind.
Outdoors, the estate lives like a private resort. Pool and spa, bocce court, horseshoe pit, fire pit, olive grove, fully-enclosed vegetable gardens, and meandering gravel paths create an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication. Entertain beneath the reclaimed barnwood loggia with heat lamps and limestone fireplace, or host al fresco dinners and smoker BBQs across multiple terraces. A detached guest retreat of approximately 1152 square feet sleeps four and includes a loft, sitting area, powder bath, and outdoor shower.
What further distinguishes this offering is its private access to the Santa Monica creek wilderness with year-round water flow on Rancho Monte Alegre—complete with swimming holes, waterfalls, and pristine riparian landscape, all backed by Los Padres National Forest, encompassing nearly two million acres of protected wilderness. For equestrian buyers, JTR Ranch is ideally suited for horses and trail riding, with usable acreage and direct access to miles of natural terrain. Few properties on the South Coast offer such seamless connection to both refined living and vast, untamed landscape.
Despite its remarkable privacy, JTR Ranch is exceptionally convenient. Located just moments from the US 101 with easy on-and-off access, the estate is only minutes to Montecito, Coast Village Road, and the beach—while remaining only a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles. This rare combination of seclusion and accessibility makes it ideally positioned for both full-time residence and weekend retreat.
Built in 2010, JTR Ranch represents a singular opportunity within one of Santa Barbara’s most storied enclaves—where European elegance, equestrian lifestyle, and protected wilderness converge along the American Riviera.
TOP 10 THINGS
WE’LL MISS
2.
4. 3.
Living in Santa Barbara County, but away from the downtown traffic
Views of the Pacific both day and night
5. Serene beauty
7. 8.
Filling the house with family and friends
Entertaining on a large scale and never feeling cramped
The peace we feel when we walk into the house Privacy Thoughtful neighbors at Rancho Monte Alegre 1. 9. 6.
Hiking up Santa Monica Creek wilderness
10.
Being near Carpinteria for essentials, but not living in a town
HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES
• Bespoke light fixtures, furniture and fabrics throughout
• Antique sconces collected over the years above every vanity
Antique door knobs adapted and used throughout in special places
• Hand cast hardware and French hardware through out the house
• Bunkroom sleeps 10, with double bathrooms
• Dual offices Shed sleeps 4 and includes a Polaris and 2 scooters, as well as a potting room/tool room
• Uncommon, wide-planked, French oak flooring from Belgium
• Concrete and steel reinforced, pouredin-place walls throughout the structure supporting all rock work
• All trees on property were chosen for and transplanted at JTR
“Building JTR was a dream come true.”
BUILDING THE RANCH HOUSE
My husband and I honeymooned at the Biltmore 44 years ago and knew we’d want to own a home near Santa Barbara some day; our three children attended a nearby boarding school in the early 2,000’s. When an opportunity came up to purchase 10 acres in Rancho Monte Alegre, 2003, we bought our land. The charm and simplicity of Carpinteria, the casual living and friendly people convinced us this was the right place.
Building JTR was a dream come true. From the start, our guiding principles were Comfort, Quality and Entertaining. We wanted a home built from indigenous stones with the feeling that a farmer had constructed the house. We wanted honest, traditional materials crafted by old-world masters. Our two teams of masons, of five men each, spent 18 months cladding the house w/ stones dug up during foundation diggings. Everywhere there is rock on the house, there are steel beams erected to bear the weight. The house was over engineered, according to Don Nulty, our architect. The window sills and the corner stones were the only native stones that left the property for “manufacturing.” Our 200 years old beams came from northeast barn raisings. The painted barn wood of the tower ceiling and the planed barn wood of the family room and loggia ceilings was sourced from the Pacific Northwest. We wanted almost all surfaces to be pre-distressed to alleviate worry about scratches and scarring. Our integrated-color plaster walls will chip but will not show white at the marring. They have also been sealed and will not absorb dirt nor stains. We wanted our adult children and their little people to relax, respect the house, but also feel that they could “let down” from city life and be comfortably messy here. It IS a ranch house.
We have loved living in this structure. It has been our home and retreat for 16 years. Selecting every knob, board, beam, stone, piece of furniture and straw — every item for this home was our delight. We truly hope that whoever buys JTR will also love it. We tried to make a big house still feel homey and warmly welcoming. Our sense of peace as we enter the house, smelling the familiar plaster, walking the limestone gallery and feeling the solidity of our doors will be so very missed. Our tall, graceful mission and gnarled arbequina olives have witnessed such weather, beauty and parties. Our thousands of memories constructing, occupying and entertaining at JTR are our most cherished.
THINGS TO DO AROUND CARPINTERIA
GO FOR A BEACH WALK
Take advantage of the proximity to the beach, perfect for evening walks and watching spectacular sunsets, with a good chance of spotting dolphins.
ENJOY LOCAL MARKETS AND GARDENS
Rent a plot to grow your own vegetables at the Community Garden and visit the weekly Farmers Market every Thursday for fresh produce, live music and entertainment, and artisanal goods.
SURF AT RINCON POINT
Visit this world-famous surf spot where you can watch surfers or catch some waves yourself.
SHOP ALONG LINDEN AVENUE
Explore the variety of restaurants, breweries, shops, and cafes. The 700 block is undergoing exciting developments with new restaurants, a Sky Bar, and a cozy bookstore.
ATTEND LOCAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
Celebrate the region’s avocado industry with food, music, and fun activities at the annual Avocado Festival. You can also enjoy patriotic celebrations and a classic car show on the 4th of July, or sample a variety of craft beers at Beer Fest.
GET CREATIVE AT THE CARPINTERIA ARTS CENTER
Attend classes, enjoy outdoor events in the courtyard, and experience a vibrant cultural scene.
TAKE THE AMTRAK TRAIN
Conveniently located nearby, you can walk to the train station and catch the AMTRAK Surfliner. This provides easy access to Santa Barbara, LA, San Diego, and beyond. You can even get to downtown Santa Barbara on State Street and enjoy its walkable attractions.
VISIT LOCAL BREWERIES
Island Brewery is a local gem near the railroad tracks known for its live music and community vibes. Rincon Brewery is just a few blocks away and is a great place to experience local craft beer, enjoy good food, and relax with friends and family.
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO SUMMERLAND
Summerland, just a short drive from Carpinteria, is a charming coastal town perfect for a relaxing day trip. Have breakfast at the Summerland Beach Cafe, shop at local antique and boutique stores, visit the blufftop lookout park, and explore this quaint town.
EXPLORE LOCAL TRAILS
Hike Franklin trail for panoramic views of the Carpinteria Valley, ocean, and Channel Islands, or walk along the bluffs at Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve. This preserve is home to the seal sanctuary, where harbor seals come to rest, breed, and give birth to their pups.
These are just a few of the many wonderful experiences to enjoy in and around Carpinteria, offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and culinary delights for everyone.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIRTOUR MEDIA
A 6th-generation resident of Santa Barbara County, Graham grew up on his family’s avocado ranch in Carpinteria. Living and learning about the land in Ventura, Montana, Idaho, San Diego, and Missouri, he brings ranch and wilderness expertise to his business approach. He has worked and lived on Rancho Monte Alegre and, as
the head of Los Padres Outfitters, has guided pack trips in the area. Graham is also a devoted husband and father, who married his wife, Hannah, also a Coastal Ranch team member, at the beautiful Santa Barbara Mission. They currently reside at the Carpinteria ranch where Graham was raised.