Entry No. 24 — the Santa Barbara file — filed under: zen garden
The Sacred Space
A hidden corner-lot garden sanctuary owned by Jack and Rose Herschorn, packed with koi ponds, imported Buddhist and Asian statuary, incense, and 'books of wisdom' — sitting a few blocks from where 19th-century mediums once held group séances in the spiritualist colony that gave this town its name.
The story
Summerland was founded in 1883 as a sanctuary for spiritualists and mediums who gathered in wooden parlors for séances to commune with the dead. Most commuters flying past on Highway 101 only see antique boutiques and ocean glimpses, but tucked onto a corner lot at 2594 Lillie Avenue sits a venue keeping the town's original metaphysical lineage quietly alive. Created by Jack and Rose Herschorn, The Sacred Space conceals a lush, open-air garden behind a modest retail storefront.
Walk past shelves stocked with incense, meditation texts, and altar supplies, and you step out into a hidden courtyard dense with tropical foliage, trickling water features, and imported Asian statuary. Heavy stone Buddhas sit half-engulfed in leaves above koi ponds where massive fish circle beneath sunbeams. It feels less like a commercial strip along the coast and more like a private temple grounds smuggled into central California.
The quiet is the main event here. You didn't hear it from us, but while the rest of the Santa Barbara coast charges high admission prices for gated botanical gardens and wellness retreats, this sanctuary lets you wander the grounds and sit by the koi ponds for nothing, right in the heart of town.
What it's like
Expect an immediate shift in volume the moment you step off Lillie Avenue. Up front, you'll find a shop stocked with incense, books of wisdom, and altar goods, but the real draw is through the back door: a dense, shade-dappled garden packed with hidden seating nooks, koi ponds, and towering statues tucked into tropical plants. Visitors keep their voices down to preserve the contemplative mood. Aim for golden hour when the fading sunlight cuts through the canopy and hits the water.
The move: Wander the free public garden and koi ponds hand in hand at golden hour, then browse the incense and altar-goods shop before dinner in Summerland.
- 📍 Summerland
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2594 Lillie Ave, Summerland, CA 93067
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Spiritualist Church of the Comforter — Trace Summerland's 19th-century medium history back to this congregation, which was chartered in Summerland in 1891 before later moving to downtown Santa Barbara.
- Ganna Walska Lotusland — Pair one hidden garden sanctuary with another—Lotusland was originally bought by opera singer Ganna Walska as a planned retreat for Tibetan monks.
- Montecito Hot Springs — Combine a quiet walk around koi ponds with a soak in these natural mineral pools set in the nearby Montecito hills.
Good to know
Is there an admission fee to enter the garden?
No, walking through the garden and sitting by the koi ponds is free to the public, though buying incense, books, or altar supplies in the shop helps support the space.
Who owns The Sacred Space?
The venue was created and is owned by Jack and Rose Herschorn.
Can you host events or photo shoots in the garden?
Yes, the owners offer private rentals for workshops, ceremonies, and commercial photo shoots by booking through their official website.
Where is it located in Summerland?
It sits on Lillie Avenue (2594 Lillie Ave) in Summerland, just off Highway 101 a few miles south of Montecito.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · chamberofcommerce.com · Tripadvisor
last checked: 2026-07-20