Saddle Up in Style: Polo in Paradise

Stylish spectators, tailgate picnics, colorful jerseys, and an ocean breeze — this is polo in Santa Barbara. Often called “the sport of kings,” polo has evolved from a noble pastime into a prestigious local tradition rooted in passion, horsemanship, and elite competition. Not only are we home to the third-oldest United States Polo Association club, but we also boast the longest season in the country, with matches held every Sunday from April through October.

Renowned for its classic elegance and effortless West Coast charm, Santa Barbara is one of the rare places where you can play polo at a world-class level, then ride your horse down the road for a gallop along the beach. There’s no surprise why the region has drawn legends like Robert “Hurricane Bob” Skene and Joe Barry, in addition to modern icons such as Nacho Figueras and Adolfo Cambiaso. It turns out, it only takes coastal air and sun-drenched fields to turn a royal sport into a California classic.

Then, in 1916, a fire in Carpinteria inadvertently paved the way for what would later become Fleischmann Field. By 1926, Max C. Fleischmann had purchased the club, commissioning renowned architect Robert Spurgeon to design the polo clubhouse and barns. Nearby, Summerland Beach even became thought of as “the perfect training ground,” where players could run their ponies through the surf and sand to build strength, stamina, and agility.

But polo’s golden age came to a sudden halt in 1942, when a Japanese submarine shelled the oil tanks off the coast of Goleta, marking the first foreign attack on the U.S. mainland since the War of 1812. In the wake of the strike, the polo fields were requisitioned for military use, transformed into staging grounds for soldiers and machinery. Polo stopped, the turf was worn bare, and the future of the sport in Santa Barbara stood at a crossroads.

That’s when visionaries like Robert Skene, Glen Holden, and Kenneth Walker rallied, refusing to let polo’s legacy fade in Santa Barbara. They lobbied county supervisors, gathered dues door-to-door, and brokered a bold land deal that saved the club’s fields. With the formation of a permanent trusteeship and the addition of stables, tennis courts, and a renovated clubhouse, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club emerged not only intact but completely elevated. Today, it stands as a rarefied refuge, where royalty, business moguls, and world-class athletes converge, carrying forward a story that began with a spring flower festival and now flourishes with tradition, glamour, and athleticism.

Santa Barbara’s Signature Sport

In both sport and social prestige, polo continues to be an integral part of our community. The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has hosted some of its most prestigious events in recent years, including the highly competitive Pacific Coast Open, the historic Silver Cup, and the 2019 Foundation Polo Challenge, a celebrity match featuring Prince William and Kate.  

The 2025 season will feature their signature "Polo in Paradise" series, held from May to October, which will offer thrilling matches, gourmet dining, boutique shopping, and post-match socializing. Beyond the matches, the club also offers memberships with access to private events, eight tennis courts, a heated pool, a jacuzzi, and a fitness center with yoga and fitness classes. Each year, matches are a must-attend event on every local’s social calendar — proof that in Santa Barbara, polo is more than just a game, it’s a lifestyle.

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Take the Dream One Step Further

The only thing better than watching a polo match is owning a club-worthy estate of your own. Specifically, an ocean-view equestrian compound spread over 10 acres, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, stables, riding arenas, an infinity pool, and a hobby vineyard. Why not let every stride be a step toward living your dream at 338 Toro Canyon Road?

Offering more than just luxury, this Tuscan villa is an invitation to indulge your passions to the fullest. The 8,725-square-foot residence features a 4-bedroom main house with 4 full and 4 half baths, a screening room, a library, a wine cellar, and a spa. Here, polo heritage meets modern opulence—creating an unrivaled opportunity to live the high-goal lifestyle just steps from the field.

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