The historic Santa Barbara estate where legendary chef Julia Child filmed her 1980s PBS cooking series Dinner at Julia’s and where beloved actor Fess Parker once lived has hit the market for $21.95 million. The sprawling 3-acre property is located in the exclusive Hope Ranch suburb and combines Hollywood history, culinary legacy and classic Santa Barbara architecture. The estate was last sold in 2010, when Karen and Jeffrey Stone, owners and operators of a healthcare company, purchased it for $6.85 million, according to PropertyShark records.
Historic Four Oaks estate dates back to 1934
Known as Four Oaks, the New England-style country house was built in 1934 for Clarence Mitchell, the son of Chicago banking heir John J. Mitchell. The property was designed by Santa Barbara architectural firm Edwards & Plunkett, whose notable projects include the Arlington Theatre and the original terminal of Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.The estate gets its name from four mature trees on the grounds. It features a tennis court, swimming pool, rose gardens and a citrus allee, along with expansive outdoor spaces.
Fess Parker and Julia Child’s connection to the home
Four Oaks has had several notable owners, including Fess Parker, who became famous for playing Davy Crockett in the Walt Disney miniseries and the title character in NBC’s Daniel Boone.Parker, who was named a Disney Legend in 1991, died in 2010, the same year Karen and Jeffrey Stone purchased the estate for $6.85 million.The property also holds a special place in Julia Child’s television history. In 1983 and 1984, the celebrated chef filmed all 13 episodes of her PBS cooking series Dinner at Julia’s at the Santa Barbara estate. Child was reportedly a friend of Parker’s and filmed the series with appearances from several prominent chefs.
Inside the $21.95 million Santa Barbara mansion
Inside Four Oaks: The historic 3-acre Santa Barbara property once home to Fess Parker and a filming location for Julia Child’s Dinner at Julia’s. (Photo: Blake Bronstad for Sotheby’s International Realty)
The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom main house has been renovated and modernised while retaining its historic character. It features a sun-filled living room opening onto a trellised patio designed for outdoor dining, as well as a paneled library and a chef’s kitchen with double islands and a professional range.The primary suite includes a sitting room, two large closets, a spa-like bathroom and a covered deck overlooking the gardens. A detached guest house adds another bedroom and bathroom to the property.Listing agent Dusty Baker of Sotheby’s International Realty-Montecito Brokerage said historic properties in Hope Ranch with flat acreage are particularly difficult to find.“It’s very difficult to get flat acreage like this in Santa Barbara,” Baker was quoted as saying by Mansion Global, noting that many properties in Hope Ranch sit on around 1.5 acres of rolling hills.
Why the current owners are selling
Karen and Jeffrey Stone, who purchased Four Oaks in 2010, are selling the estate as they downsize after becoming empty nesters.“For our family, this was never just a house,” Karen Stone said. “It was a place to welcome others. It has been filled with children, friends, family and opportunities to bring people together for good causes.”The property is located in Hope Ranch, a coastal residential enclave with 778 parcels. Residents have private access to the beach, tennis courts and 23 miles of equestrian trails. Boutiques, restaurants and a country club with a golf course are also nearby.“It has a very understated, natural elegance,” Baker said of the area.
