Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate offers a top collection of orchid species and hybrids. The estate was established as a public facility in 1957, with five acres of land running up the Santa Barbara, California coast. The estate is meant as a place for hobbyist, orchid admirers, and students to learn about the plants, how they grow, and how to create hybrids. With their diversity of orchid plants it is easy to be challenged and delighted by what one finds at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

Visitors are welcome to come to the estate at any time during the day. They have weekend and weekday hours usually between 10am and 5pm. Every day the estate has a special limited plant for purchase and to view. Since these plants tend to sell out quickly it is best for those interested to purchase them right away.

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate was founded by Robert Chrisman and managed by Paul Gripp. In 1967 Paul Gripp purchased the estate and ran it until 1986. At that point his two children Perry and Alice became the owners. They currently run the estate at 250 Orchid Drive. They specialize in outdoor varieties and have one of the largest collections in the world.