1930s Farmhouse ~ Rescue Animals + Views + Ballard

Some places let you visit the country. This one lets you live in it.



Stay at the heart of Anavo Farm, our beautifully restored 1930s farmhouse on six private acres in coveted Ballard, in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley. Wake to sheep calling from the pasture, collect farm-fresh eggs, wander through pollinator gardens and watch the morning light move across the mountains. At night, soak in the hot tub beneath the stars, make s’mores around the fire pit, or gather for dinner under twinkling café lights beside the frog pond.



This is our real family farmhouse—not a vacation rental designed by committee. It has evolved over years of family life, restoration and a belief that old things deserve another chapter. Original character meets thoughtful, high-end design and the kind of comforts that make you want to settle in rather than simply sleep here.



The primary suite is its own retreat, with an incredibly comfortable king-size eco mattress, fine linens, romantic gas fireplace, en suite bathroom and private screened porch with two hanging bed swings—one of our favorite places to read, nap or listen to the sounds of the farm. Two additional bedrooms give families plenty of room to spread out: one has a queen bed plus a twin tucked into a window nook with blackout shades, and the other has a bunk bed.



At the center of the house is a chef’s kitchen with a large island, breakfast banquette and high-end appliances. The living room has a gas-start wood-burning fireplace and views out toward the pastures. We’ve also invested in the quieter luxuries that make a stay genuinely comfortable, including softened water throughout the farmhouse and reverse-osmosis drinking water.



THE FARM IS PART OF THE STAY



Anavo is a working regenerative farm and animal rescue sanctuary, so you’ll share the property with quite a cast of characters. Meet our rescue sheep, goats and alpacas, visit the chickens, collect fresh eggs and join us for animal feeding when schedules allow.



You’ll also almost certainly meet Damascus, our gentle livestock guardian dog, and his sidekick Biscuit, our resident corgi. Damascus has an important job protecting the animals, and both dogs live on the farm, roam the property and may come to greet you during your stay. Guests consistently tell us that getting to know them is one of the unexpected joys of being here.



Because Damascus and Biscuit are part of daily farm life, please make sure everyone in your group is comfortable being around dogs before booking. If having friendly resident dogs nearby would make your stay less relaxing, Anavo Farm probably won’t be the right fit for you.



OUTSIDE IS WHERE FARM LIFE REALLY UNFOLDS



Linger over coffee on the wrap-around porch. Wander the pollinator and vegetable gardens and orchard. Feed the animals treats. Grill dinner outside, then gather around our eight-seat teak table beside the frog pond as the café lights come on overhead. Light the fire pit, make s’mores, climb into the hot tub and look up.



The goal here isn’t to fill every minute. It’s quite the opposite.



THE ANAVO WAY



Anavo Farm is rooted in a simple idea: live more in harmony with nature, not apart from it. Food scraps are composted or shared with the chickens. We avoid single-use plastics where we can. Screened windows invite fresh country air through the farmhouse. Instead of buying cut flowers, we gather them from our wildflower and pollinator gardens when the seasons allow.



These are small choices, but together they create the slower, more connected way of living we hope guests feel while they’re here.



AND YET, YOU’RE CLOSE TO EVERYTHING



Ballard gives you the rare combination of country quiet and extraordinary access to Santa Ynez Valley. Walk the old ranch road into town for breakfast at Bob’s Well Bread, or drive just minutes to Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang for wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants, shops and everything else wine country has to offer.



Come for wine country. Come for the animals. Come because the kids need to get dirty and you need to slow down.



Mostly, come experience what happens when a stay isn’t designed simply around a house, but around a way of living.