The Far Afield Estate at 670 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito

A sweeping tableau of legacy: the Far Afield Estate, seen from the formal gardens, with the Santa Ynez Mountains in the background.

There are estates that impress, there are estates that endure, and then there are the rare few that do both. 670 Hot Springs Rd in Montecito, CA 93108, known as Far Afield, is one of those remarkable properties. Unfolding across more than 10 acres of Central Coast gardens and groves, you can feel heritage and refinement here at every turn.

Come with me. Together, we’ll explore what makes this estate one of Montecito’s most treasured addresses.

• Location: 670 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito, CA 93108
• Architect: Francis T. Underhill
• Landscape architect: Lockwood de Forest
• Year built: 1917
• Style: Mediterranean Revival
• Restoration: Completed in 2017
• Lot size: 10.5 acres
• Main residence: 5 BR · 6 BA · 4 HB
• Guest residence: 3 BR · 2 BA · 1 HB
• Total living space: Approximately 13,629 sq. ft.
• Site enhancements: Includes gardens, citrus orchards, eucalyptus and oak groves, bridle paths, pool and spa, staff cottage, garages, and state-of-the-art mechanical systems

Far Afield carries the signature of Francis T. Underhill, the Santa Barbara architect responsible for shaping much of Montecito’s early architectural identity. His vision for the Mediterranean Revival villa has endured for more than a century, and today, it remains one of Montecito, CA luxury real estate’s greats.

Legacy by design

The origins of Far Afield trace back to 1917, when author Hobart C. Chatfield-Taylor and his wife, Rose Farwell, commissioned a country estate in Montecito. The couple christened the property “Far Afield,” a name drawn from both their family names—Farwell and Chatfield—and the symbolism of creating a retreat “far away” from their primary residence in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Nearly a century later, Far Afield entered a new chapter under the stewardship of its current owners, who acquired the estate in 2002 and brought vision and resolve to ensuring its preservation for the next hundred years.

Mediterranean grace, century-old roots.

Over the course of 15 years, Far Afield became one of the most ambitious private renovations in Montecito. The villa was lifted from its foundation and structurally fortified; every system was replaced; and a new subterranean level was added with a discreet tunnel entrance for staff.

European antiques were meticulously sourced—17th- and 18th-century oak parquet from French châteaux, hand-painted tiles from Holland, Spain, and Italy—layering centuries of craftsmanship into a home already rich with history. Finally, in 2017, the project was completed with Far Afield posed for its next century.

What sets Far Afield apart

• A prized address in the Golden Quadrangle. Located at 670 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito, CA 93108, the estate occupies a premier position within Montecito’s Golden Quadrangle—an enclave long regarded as the pinnacle of privacy, prestige, and architectural legacy in California’s Central Coast.
• Historical interiors, meticulously renewed. The main residence’s flowing layout supports both grand entertaining and quiet retreat. Public rooms unfold organically, framed by arched windows and high ceilings that bring in soft, natural life throughout the day. Every surface has been considered, every transition feels intentional.
• Ocean and mountain views in every direction. The estate’s elevated site offers breathtaking panoramas—from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Pacific horizon—positioning 670 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito, CA 93108 as a rare vantage point within Montecito, CA luxury real estate.
• Designed for entertaining, scaled for sanctuary. The main floor is dedicated to public spaces that adapt effortlessly to every occasion, whether it’s an intimate dinner, a holiday gathering, or a philanthropic event for 200. Upstairs, three private bedroom suites flank the radiant morning room, which offers one of the most breathtaking vantage points on the property from dawn through dusk.
• A landscape composed like a painting. The grounds of Far Afield reflect the vision of Lockwood de Forest, the landscape painter and designer whose work shaped Montecito’s early estates.

  Inspired by his compositions at Villa Solana and La Chiquita, Far Afield’s gardens were designed with painterly structure and immersive pacing: formal parterres, citrus orchards, and heritage groves arranged to reveal themselves slowly. The restored bridle path winds through these living “rooms,” connecting shaded eucalyptus stands, manicured hedges, and garden follies with evolving views at every turn.

  Along the way, features like a working chicken coop, peacock aviary, and hillside pool—secluded yet scenic—speak to the estate’s origins as a cultivated country retreat.

  

  Views of lush gardens and hills abound.

• Modern systems built with legacy in mind. The 15-year restoration brought the estate into the 21st century with fully upgraded infrastructure—mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and seismic improvements—all completed to commercial-grade standards. Every enhancement was executed with respect for the home’s original architecture, preserving its historic character while ensuring long-term performance.

A TROPHY PROPERTY FOR THE AGES

670 Hot Springs Rd in Montecito, CA 93108 is a rare opportunity within Montecito, CA luxury real estate to acquire a true legacy property guided by thoughtful stewardship and design. This is more than a listing; it’s an opportunity to carry forward one of Montecito’s most storied estates.

Having represented some of California’s most iconic properties, I can say with certainty: Far Afield is in a class of its own. Few estates offer this combination of architectural pedigree, expansive land, and enduring emotional value in a location as coveted as the Golden Quadrangle.

Let’s talk about what it would mean to make this remarkable estate your own. Call me, Joyce Rey, at 310.291.6646 or email me to begin a conversation with a trusted name in Montecito luxury real estate.