La Cumbre Country Club: A Century of California Heritage in the Heart of Hope Ranch
Photo courtesy of La Cumbre Country Club
Tucked beside the still waters of Laguna Blanca and framed by the rolling hills of Hope Ranch, La Cumbre Country Club is one of Santa Barbara’s most storied institutions—an enclave where history, landscape, and community come together in a way that feels distinctly Californian.
Founded more than a century ago, La Cumbre is not just a golf club. It’s a reflection of Santa Barbara’s evolution—from early resort culture to refined residential life—and a testament to the region’s enduring love of outdoor living, sport, and natural beauty.
Whether you know the club from childhood memories, local lore, or weekend drives through Hope Ranch, its history is worth rediscovering.
From the Potter Club to La Cumbre: A Landscape Shaped by Visionaries
Long before La Cumbre existed as we know it, the land surrounding Laguna Blanca served as the home of the Potter Country Club—a sister experience to the grand Potter Hotel, formerly in downtown Santa Barbara.
1909: The Potter Country Club Opens
The original Potter clubhouse opened on March 20, 1909, complete with nine oil-sand greens.
It quickly became a social hub for early Santa Barbara residents and travelers seeking recreation near the lake.
1914: A New Beginning
When the Potter lease ended in 1914, a group of members reorganized as the Hope Ranch Park Golf Club and purchased land across from the original clubhouse. They saw the potential for something lasting—for a course shaped by the land rather than imposed upon it.
Photo courtesy of La Cumbre Country Club
1916–1918: La Cumbre Is Born
In 1916, the club officially became La Cumbre Golf and Country Club.
By 1918, a new redwood clubhouse was built on the knoll east of Laguna Blanca, and the layout of an 18-hole course began to take shape.
It marked the start of a new era of social and sporting life in Hope Ranch—one deeply intertwined with the land's natural contours.
The Architects Behind the Course
Beautiful golf courses are born from beautiful landscapes and designers who know how to work with the land.
George C. Thomas & William P. Bell (1920s Redesign)
In 1925, the club acquired additional land, enabling a complete redesign. The renowned team of George C. Thomas (designer of Riviera CC, Bel-Air, and LACC North) and William P. Bell, Sr., shaped a course that respected the rolling topography and created a timeless sense of place.
Their design injected the course with the strategic depth and naturalistic beauty that still define La Cumbre today.
William F. Bell, Jr. (1957–1960 Reconstruction)
After WWII, membership decline forced the club to close temporarily in 1947–48; the property was preserved by H.S. Chase until its revival in 1957.
Reconstruction began under William F. Bell, Jr., who restored and refined the Thomas/Bell legacy for a new generation.
A Club That Grew With Its Community
La Cumbre has evolved alongside Santa Barbara itself—weathering closures, expansions, and reconstructions while continuously honoring its roots.
The club today is known for:
A classically routed 18-hole course with lakeside views
Tennis & pickleball
Swimming facilities
A welcoming, multigenerational membership
Panoramic views across Laguna Blanca and Hope Ranch’s iconic landscape
And unlike many private clubs, La Cumbre has always centered itself around the land—its oaks, its lake, its gentle breeze rolling off the foothills. It’s this sense of connection that makes it so distinctly Santa Barbara.
Why La Cumbre Endures
More than a golf club, La Cumbre is:
A living piece of local history
Every fairway and footpath carries echoes of early Santa Barbara resort culture and the architects who shaped California’s greatest courses.
A landscape-driven retreat
The course doesn’t fight the land—it moves with it. That’s why it feels so peaceful, so natural, so effortlessly Californian.
A community anchor
From weddings to junior golf to multi-generational gatherings, La Cumbre remains a gathering place for families who love Santa Barbara’s rhythm of life.
Photo courtesy of La Cumbre Country Club
Thinking About Life Near La Cumbre?
Hope Ranch offers a rare blend of equestrian lifestyle, quiet luxury, and access to some of the county’s most beautiful coastline. Homes surrounding La Cumbre enjoy rolling landscapes, privacy, and proximity to one of the region’s best-loved golf experiences.
If you’re exploring homes in Hope Ranch—or anywhere in Santa Barbara—we’d love to guide you with our architectural perspective and local expertise.
Contact us to explore properties near La Cumbre Country Club or follow @montecitovalley for local architecture, history, and lifestyle stories.
