Laurel Springs Ranch is a
ranch
A ranch (from es, rancho/Mexican Spanish) is an area of land, including various structures, given primarily to ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle and sheep. It is a subtype of a farm. These terms are most ofte ...
located on a ridgetop in the
Santa Ynez Mountain range northwest of
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara ( es, Santa Bárbara, meaning "Saint Barbara") is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Co ...
, between the
Painted Cave community and the intersection of Painted Cave road with East Camino Cielo Road in the
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a United States national forest in southern and central California. Administered by the United States Forest Service, Los Padres includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Mo ...
.
History
Homer Snyder developed the ranch in 1902, and built the Laurel Springs Inn on the property in 1905. George Owen Knapp bought it in 1916.
In 1977, actress
Jane Fonda and her husband
Tom Hayden
Thomas Emmet Hayden (December 11, 1939October 23, 2016) was an American social and political activist, author, and politician. Hayden was best known for his role as an anti-war, civil rights, and intellectual activist in the 1960s, authoring t ...
bought it and she later operated both a
workout
Exercise is a body activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.
It is performed for various reasons, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardiovascular system, hone athletic s ...
studio
spa and a
summer camp
A summer camp or sleepaway camp is a supervised program for children conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as ''campers''. Summer school is usually a part of the academ ...
for
disadvantaged
The "disadvantaged" is a generic term for individuals or groups of people who:
* Face special problems such as physical or mental disability
* Lack money or economic supportKingdom of Nepal: Economic and Social Inclusion of the Disadvantaged Poo ...
children there until the early 1990s.
It was then bought by Melissa Keeler and Michael Morris. Together they developed it into the Laurel Springs Retreat, and is now used for group trainings and individual rentals.
See also
*
Knapp's Castle
Knapp's Castle is a privately owned landmark ruined mansion in the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara, California. Built in 1916 by George Knapp, the estate included 5 bedrooms, an organ room, and even an observatory. Located near East Camino ...
*
Santa Ynez Mountains
The Santa Ynez Mountains are a portion of the Transverse Ranges, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges of the west coast of North America. It is the westernmost range in the Transverse Ranges.
The range is a large fault block of Cenozoic age create ...
References
"Looking Forward by Looking Back," ''The Santa Barbara Independent,'' April 27, 2006"George Owen Knapp," Ray Ford"A Life in the Spotlight," ''The Santa Barbara Independent,'' May 11, 2006"Defining Tom Hayden," ''Los Angeles Times,'' December 10, 2000
External links
Overhead Aerial Photo
{{coord missing, Santa Barbara County, California
Ranches in California
Geography of Santa Barbara County, California
Buildings and structures in Santa Barbara County, California