“I’d rather be in a garden than at a party in Santa Barbara.”

While 808 San Ysidro Lane in Montecito has some of the most modern-day charm and character than most estates currently on the market, what many do not know about is the captivating history that this estate also holds.

One of the estate’s most noteworthy owners was Dame Frances Margaret Anderson, known professionally as Judith Anderson. She was an Australian actress who had a successful career in stage, film and television. During her robust international career,
she won two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award and was also nominated for a Grammy Award and an Academy Award. She is considered one of the 20th century greatest classical stage actors.

She had first come to Santa Barbara in 1929 to appear in the play Strange Interlude, and went on to perform at the Lobero Theatre on numerous occasions. This included the 1970 world premiere of Anderson playing Hamlet, before the production opened in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Anderson was also heavily involved in the Santa Barbara community. The Dame Judith
Anderson Fund was established to promote theater in Santa Barbara and to fund renovations to the Lobero Theatre. She gave readings to benefit the Ensemble Theatre, including works by Shakespeare and her good friend Jeffers. She could be found at Las Positas Park reading nursery rhymes and stories to children to benefit Family Service Agency.

At her death, Dame Judith Anderson was eulogized as the grand dame of both the theater and, in another sense, of Santa Barbara. Her portrait still hangs in the foyer of the Lobero Theatre where she performed so many times and which she had nurtured for so many years. Dame Judith Anderson lived in Montecito from 1964 until her death in 1992 – she
passed away at the age of 94 while living at her beloved 808 San Ysidro Lane. She was very reserved and what she liked the most was taking care of her garden, “I’d rather be in garden than at a party in Santa Barbara.” One current neighbor recently recalled memories of listening to poetry readings by the Dame at 808 San Ysidro Lane so many years ago. The stunning gardens and timeless elegance at 808 San Ysidro Lane continue to carry on the Dame Judith Anderson’s legacy today.