Bella Cavalli Farms


A Full Service Equestrian Facility - Santa Ynez Valley - Santa Barbara County, California

About Us: Ranch History

Bella Cavalli is located in the Santa Ynez Valley just over the San Marcos Pass from Santa Barbara, California. In times past, this valley was the home to several Indian tribes, the most populous of which was the Chumash who still live locally and now own and operate a very successful gambling casino.

The earliest white settlers in the Santa Ynez Valley were cattlemen who settled on their rancheros and raised their families while running large herds of cattle. This way of life persisted almost unchanged until the first part of the twentieth century when an influx of settlers necessitated parceling off the large ranches to provide housing and commercial establishments for the new arrivals.

Although cattle ranching provided the main industry in the valley, beginning in the 1950’s and 1960’s, varietal wine grapes were planted at a number of locations throughout the area. The warm and clear weather of the valley that persisted through most of the year lent itself to this viticulture and soon world class wines began to be produced in the local wineries. Since that time, these trends have continued with a steady increase of population combined with a decrease in cattle acreage due to its conversion to wine grape cultivation and its use for new urban projects.

Prior to its purchase by the Lockwoods, the property they now call Bella Cavalli was owned by Monty and Pat Roberts as a part of their Flag is Up ranch and was used by the Roberts in their extensive breeding operations. This property, of approximately fifty acres, is located on Highway 246 just on the western boundary of the City of Solvang.

Solvang is an authentic Danish Village constructed in the style of its European heritage and is a well known and favorite destination for locals and tourists from around the world.

Bella Cavalli, now extensively remodeled and upgraded by the Lockwoods proudly represents the best of the Santa Ynez Valley and California’s equestrian facilities.