Chic Sheep Retreat ~ Rescue Animals+Views+Ballard

Top rated by guests
Featured in Forbes: Anavo Farm's Chic Sheep Retreat. A regeneratively-designed carriage house where you can connect with farm animals and unwind in nature’s beauty. Come for wine country. Fall for farm life—and the village of Ballard.
Welcome bottle of wine, 2 for 1 tasting coupons, and "hands down the best guidebook we've ever seen in our travels."  (Gary & Linda, past guest.)
You may meet Damascus, our devoted livestock guardian, and Biscuit, his little sidekick. They tend to think every guest has come just to meet them.
Reverse osmosis (R/O) water is on tap, so no need for buying bottled water. (Mama Earth will thank you!)
Stairwell leading to the large, open upstairs with two couches, 1 Queen Bed, and 2 XL Twin Beds.  (Note:  these window nook beds are for reading, napping, etc, not to cram a lot of people in. ;-)
review stars
9.8Outstanding
(78 Ratings)
"We were so impressed with everything at Anavo Farms. Jen has created such a beautiful space- I felt like I was walking through a storybook. They have everything you could need available. There is defi..."
Meg B.
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
9.8 / 10
Outstanding(78 Ratings)

Cottage in Southern California, CA

4 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental

About this cottage rental

A DIFFERENT KIND OF WINE COUNTRY ESCAPE

There’s a particular feeling to waking up here. Morning light across the pasture. Hummingbirds working the wisteria. Figueroa Mountain in the distance. And, before long, a small committee of sheep, goats and alpacas gathering at your garden fence to see if you’re awake.

Anavo is a private Carriage House tucked into six acres of regenerative farmland in tiny Ballard — designed for slowing down, reconnecting with nature and experiencing a side of Santa Ynez Valley that most visitors never get to see.

Private garden • Rescue animals • Mountain views • Fireplace • Walk to Bob’s Well Bread • Minutes to Los Olivos



YOUR PASTURE FRIENDS

• Meet them at your garden fence — Rescue sheep, goats + alpacas are trained to come for visits and treats. Your animal treat bin is waiting for you.

• Fresh eggs at arrival — From our pasture-raised hens (beyond organic — you’ll taste the difference), with additional eggs available to take home.

• Go deeper — Private farm tours can be arranged in advance with a donation to our nonprofit.

• Picnic with the animals — Reserve time in the small pasture adjoining your private garden and we'll bring in some of the animals for a pretty unforgettable picnic. Advance scheduling + a small nonprofit donation required.

Damascus, our gentle livestock guardian dog, and his sidekick Biscuit the corgi roam the main farm but don't enter your private yard. They do occasionally appear outside the screened French doors to say hello. If simply having resident dogs nearby would make you uncomfortable, Anavo may not be the right fit.



THE CARRIAGE HOUSE

What guests can’t capture in photos — and try, they really try — is the feeling of this place.

1,200 square feet • Two levels • Private garden • Fireplace • Balcony • Mountain + pasture views

Renovated with an eco ethos by your host, a regenerative designer with an obsession for heirloom finds, high-end materials and a “buy next to nothing new” philosophy. Every piece has a provenance. Nothing is cookie-cutter. Nothing is an afterthought.

Downstairs

• Queen sofa pull-out behind a sliding barn door

• Gas fireplace for ambiance and warming up a cozy living room for a night in

• Custom bar carved by a local artisan from a fallen Santa Barbara mountain tree

• Full kitchen + organic coffee beans, grinder, traditional coffee maker, French press + pour-over + all the fixings

• High-end propane BBQ

• Expansive wisteria-covered porch frequented by hummingbirds

• Screened French doors for letting the country air in



Upstairs

• Queen bed with luxury eco-friendly mattress

• Two XL twins

• 10-foot reclaimed-wood desk with panoramic farm + mountain views

• Second living room

• Yoga + meditation corner — mat, blocks, acupressure mat + yoga blankets for yoga

• Large private viewing balcony + throw blankets for stargazing



YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

• Completely private — Your fully fenced drive, yard + garden are entirely yours

• Fire pit with a view — evenings facing the sun set against Figueroa Mountain

• Gardens — Roses, historic gazebo, year-round cutting lavender + seasonal fruit orchard

• Wildlife — Hummingbirds in the wisteria, owls in the oaks + occasional appearances by Loki, our majestic white barn cat



Also: A small adjacent pasture with a picnic table adjoins your private garden. (Private farm to table meals with pasture animals available through our nonprofit experiences - AnavoFarm.org.)

It’s not staged farm life. It’s just farm life.



THE ANAVO WAY

Anavo is rooted in a simple idea: generate more life by living in harmony with nature.

• Sheep + goats help regenerate the land

• Chickens turn food scraps into tomorrow’s eggs

• Composted lawn and landscaping clippings, and animal waste, turned into soil

• Pollinator plantings support bees, butterflies + birds

• Old materials + furnishings are restored and given another life

We don’t expect you to come here for a lesson in regenerative living.

We just hope you feel the difference.



BALLARD + WINE COUNTRY

Ballard is the sweet spot of Santa Ynez Valley — old-growth trees, authentic ranches, country roads and absolute quiet, yet almost nothing is far.

• Walk to Bob’s Well Bread for breakfast or lunch

• 3 miles south of Los Olivos, north of the town of Santa Ynez.

• Farm stands, lavender farms, olive-oil tasting, hiking + cycling nearby

• Easy day trip to Refugio Beach + the coast

Spend the day exploring central coast country, then come home, open the treat bin and watch your new pasture friends come running.



A FEW LOVELY EXTRAS

• Welcome Basket — Local wine, sheep’s-milk cheese, olives, crackers, chocolates + sparkling water

• Cutting Garden + Orchard — Lavender year-round + fruit when the trees are producing

• Remote Work — 10-foot reclaimed-wood desk, panoramic views + fast internet

• Animal Experiences — Private farm tours + animal picnics available in advance with a nonprofit donation

• Proven Hospitality — Top 1% globally, featured in Forbes, Guest Favorite, Superhost for over a decade + hundreds of five-star reviews



WHAT GUESTS SAY

“This was the most delightful rental we’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in. The animals, the location, the kind and efficient host — it all added up to a most perfect stay.”

— Arthur, Washington DC

“Beautiful setting, beautiful cottage. Jen was an incredible host — best welcome guide of any place we’ve ever stayed.”

— Rachel, Los Angeles

“Extremely clean and so well thought out. Anavo is best in class.”

— Tyler, Wisconsin



Come for the vineyards and Santa Ynez Valley. Come because you need to slow down and reset. Come because feeding sheep in your pajamas sounds considerably better than checking an itinerary.



BUT MOSTLY, come see why guests keep telling us the same thing: they are definitely coming back. ;-)

Amenities

Non-smoking
No pets allowed

Map of Southern California, CA

city location on map

Ratings and reviews

9.8 / 10
Outstanding(78 Ratings)
10 / 10Outstanding·Jun 2026
We were so impressed with everything at Anavo Farms. Jen has created such a beautiful space- I felt like I was walking through a storybook. They have everything you could need available. There is definitely no roughing it here! Her tips helped us have a wonderful stay. Feeding the animals while having morning coffee, wine by the fire pit, sunrise from the upstairs balcony. These are the memories we’ll take with us! Thank you, Jen. I hope to return soon!
10 / 10Outstanding·May 2026
We absolutely loved Anavo Farm, from the farm animals to the flowers and adorable cottage. Jen our hostess was very accommodating. She was available to answer and questions. Love the gift of wine, cheese , crackers, and snacks. Not to mention the fresh eggs from her farm. The cottage has two outdoor seating areas. Covered patio downstairs and deck with beautiful views on the upper level. If you want a peaceful quiet getaway look no further. We will definitely be back. Thank you Jen for sharing your lovely property. We look forward to future visits.
10 / 10Outstanding·Apr 2026
I absolutely loved my stay at Anavo Farm. Beautiful farmhouse cottage on a beautiful property in a quiet neighborhood. Close to central Solvang and Los Olivos.Jen is a gracious host and is quick to respond to any needs or questions. And of course the animals! Such a joy to have some interaction with them.I would definitely stay here again if visiting Los Olivos again and highly recommend.
10 / 10Outstanding·Mar 2026
Anavo Farm is a magical place to stay. Not only is the rental immaculate and well-equipped, but the owners have paid attention to lots of important details. Unlike other rentals I have stayed in, Anavo Farm has comfortable furniture, lovely decor, free snacks and a bottle of wine--plus, they have all sorts of necessities in the bathroom that travelers might forget at home. The farm is idyllic and peaceful. We loved seeing (and feeding) the animals, the beautiful grounds, the foliage and blooming wisteria, plus we saw tons of cute little furry critters. Location was central to everything in the area and easy to access. Can't say enough about this place. Thanks, Jen for making your rental feel like a welcoming retreat.

$$$$
expedia logo

FAQs

Is parking included with this cottage?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Chic Sheep Retreat ~ Rescue Animals+Views+Ballard. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this cottage?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Chic Sheep Retreat ~ Rescue Animals+Views+Ballard pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this cottage is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Chic Sheep Retreat ~ Rescue Animals+Views+Ballard?

We found 2 amenities for this rental. This includes non-smoking, and no pets allowed.


Explore similar stays in Southern California

Explore all stays

Southern California travel inspiration

Read our blog

Keep exploring