Tour Time: Montecito’s Historic Home, Casa del Herrero

I frequently get asked about where to go and what to do in Santa Barbara. There are the typical must-visit attractions that you can find on any Santa Barbara list, but there’s another gem of a destination that locals and tourists alike may miss: Casa del Herrero. The “House of the Blacksmith” or Steedman (pronounced Sted-man) estate was built in 1925 and designed by renowned architect, George Washington Smith. The 11-acre property retains its classic charm with gorgeous gardens and a residence that is considered to be one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. While used as a private home until 1987, the house was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2009 (the 4th in Santa Barbara). Today “the Casa,” as it’s lovingly called, is operated as a nonprofit with the goal of preserving the home and grounds for docent-led public tours. Get a glimpse into Montecito’s 1920s and ’30s with this remarkably preserved East Valley Road estate.

George Fox Steedman, the owner of the Casa, was an industrialist, engineer, and amateur architect, and was involved in the property’s every detail. Steedman and his wife relocated from St. Louis to Montecito, and moved into…