Montecito, California
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer
A historic 1927 oceanfront landmark resort near Butterfly Beach in Montecito that has been closed since 2020 and is not currently accepting wedding bookings.
About Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Important: The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara has been closed since March 2020 and, as of 2026, has not reopened. It is not currently taking wedding bookings or reservations of any kind. A reopening following major renovations has been repeatedly discussed and pushed back, but no firm public date has held, so this page treats the Biltmore as a shuttered historic landmark rather than a bookable venue.
When open, the Biltmore was one of the most celebrated wedding resorts on the California coast: a 206-room Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival estate that opened in 1927, set across Channel Drive from Butterfly Beach in Montecito. Owned by Ty Warner and managed by Four Seasons, it was known for oceanfront lawns, red-tile roofs, and lush gardens. Couples drawn to this stretch of coast should plan around other Santa Barbara and Montecito venues until the resort's status changes; the area itself remains one of the most photogenic on the Central Coast.
Location · 1260 Channel Drive, Montecito / Santa Barbara
Style · Historic 1927 Spanish Colonial / Mediterranean Revival resort
Capacity · n/a — resort closed
Ceremony · n/a — resort closed
Best season · n/a — resort closed
Status confirmed via public reporting: the resort closed in March 2020 and remains shuttered pending renovation as of 2026. Historic and location details reflect the resort as it operated before closure.
The complete Biltmore Santa Barbara planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · n/a — resort closed
Standing/cocktail · n/a — resort closed
Ceremony · n/a — resort closed
Rentable spaces
- Resort spaces are not currently available — the property is closed. Historically the Biltmore offered oceanfront ceremony lawns, ballrooms, and garden courtyards, but none are bookable at this time.
Pricing
Peak Saturday · n/a — resort closed
Off-peak · n/a — resort closed
What's included · n/a — resort closed
Catering & bar
n/a — the resort is closed and not providing catering or events. When operating, catering was handled in-house by Four Seasons.
Rules & restrictions
- The resort is closed to the public and to events as of 2026
- No weddings, tours, or reservations are being accepted
- Butterfly Beach across Channel Drive remains a public beach open to visitors
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · n/a — resort closed
Parking · n/a — resort closed
Load-in · n/a — resort closed
How to book
The Biltmore is not accepting bookings. As of 2026 the resort remains closed with no confirmed reopening date; a renovation including a new pool complex and a planned Nobu restaurant has been reported, but timelines have slipped repeatedly. Couples set on Montecito should book alternative venues and monitor Four Seasons and local Santa Barbara news for any official reopening announcement.
Photographing Biltmore Santa Barbara
Although the resort itself is off-limits, the surrounding Montecito and Butterfly Beach area remains one of the most photogenic on the California coast. Butterfly Beach, directly across Channel Drive from the resort, offers wide sand, tide pools, and unobstructed western views over the Pacific that make it a classic sunset and engagement location.
Photographers working this coastline plan for golden hour, when the low sun lights the bluffs and palm-lined drives of Montecito. The nearby Santa Barbara waterfront, coral-toned Spanish Revival architecture, and the Channel Drive palms all provide reliable backdrops in the immediate area while the Biltmore stays closed.
Engagement sessions at Biltmore Santa Barbara
With the resort closed, engagement sessions in this area center on public spots — Butterfly Beach and the Montecito/Santa Barbara coastline — rather than the hotel grounds.
Best time · Golden hour and sunset at Butterfly Beach
Permit/fee · No permit for casual public-beach sessions; resort grounds are off-limits
Standout spots · Butterfly Beach, the Channel Drive palms, and the Santa Barbara waterfront
Coordinate directly with your photographer on public-access timing, since the resort itself cannot be used.
What couples love
- Iconic 1927 architecture and coastal setting (historically)
- Location directly across from Butterfly Beach
- The Montecito neighborhood's beauty and prestige
- Proximity to the Santa Barbara waterfront
- Its long legacy as a landmark California wedding resort
Good to know
- The resort is closed and cannot be booked as of 2026
- No confirmed reopening date has held despite renovation reports
- Do not plan a wedding date around it until Four Seasons announces reopening
- Butterfly Beach is public but has limited parking along Channel Drive
- Consider alternative Montecito and Santa Barbara venues in the meantime
A typical wedding day at Biltmore Santa Barbara
n/a — the resort is closed and not hosting weddings
Couples wanting this area should build a timeline around an alternative venue
Beach and portrait time at Butterfly Beach is best at golden hour
Confirm all logistics with whichever open venue you book
Monitor Four Seasons for any future reopening before planning here
Frequently asked questions
Is the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara open?
No. The resort has been closed since March 2020 and, as of 2026, has not reopened.
Can I book my wedding at the Biltmore?
No. The resort is not accepting weddings, events, or reservations of any kind while it remains closed.
When will the Biltmore reopen?
No firm public reopening date has held. Renovations have been reported, but timelines have repeatedly slipped as of 2026.
Why did it close?
The resort closed in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed shuttered through ownership and renovation matters.
Who owns the Biltmore?
It is owned by Ty Warner, who purchased it in 2000, and was managed by Four Seasons Hotels.
Where is the Biltmore located?
At 1260 Channel Drive in Montecito, part of the Santa Barbara area, across the road from Butterfly Beach.
How old is the resort?
It opened in 1927 and is a historic Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean Revival landmark.
Can I still visit Butterfly Beach?
Yes. Butterfly Beach across Channel Drive is a public beach and remains open even though the resort is closed.
What's the guest capacity?
n/a — the resort is closed, so no wedding capacity is currently available.
How much did a Biltmore wedding cost?
n/a — the resort is closed and not quoting weddings; historic pricing does not apply to current bookings.
Can we do photos on the resort grounds?
No. The property is closed and off-limits; photographers use nearby public areas like Butterfly Beach instead.
What should couples do who want this area?
Book an alternative Montecito or Santa Barbara venue and watch for an official Four Seasons reopening announcement.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara / Montecito CA 93108
Nearest airport · Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), about 12 miles
Drive time · Roughly 90-120 minutes from Los Angeles
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito
- San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito
- Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara
- The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
The history behind Biltmore Santa Barbara
- The Biltmore opened in 1927, designed by architect Reginald Davis Johnson in Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and Moorish Revival styles.
- Ty Warner bought the resort in 2000 for about $150 million and invested heavily in restoration.
- The 206-room resort closed in March 2020 and has remained shuttered through 2026.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Falkner Winery · Ponte Winery · Lake Oak Meadows · Leoness Cellars · Galway Downs.
Planning a wedding at Biltmore Santa Barbara? Reach out to check your date →
