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A Santa Barbara Estate owned by famed cartoonist Berkeley Breathed is now being listed for $6.785 million dollars. The stunning mountaintop property is designed in a Mediterranean style and features four bedrooms and four bathrooms in the main home, in addition to a private guest suite. Let’s take a closer look at this spectacular home.
Entryway with a wooden front door, large windows, and custom floors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The bright living and dining rooms flow in a spacious open floor plan. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
A wall of retractable doors extends the living and dining outdoors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
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The dining area has a 6-seater dining set, a linear crystal chandelier, and a dark wood buffet table topped with a framed mirror. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
A close-up look at the wooden fireplace with intricate carvings and various decors on top. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The rustic wooden double doors conceal the storage room. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The kitchen has panoramic windows that take in stunning coastal views. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The kitchen features SubZero and Thermador appliances. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
A large center island with six seating completes the kitchen. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The kitchen opens completely to the family room warmed by a glass-enclosed fireplace. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The primary bedroom boasts floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides inviting an abundant amount of natural light in. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The primary bedroom includes a custom marble and limestone floor. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
A majestic sunset view from the primary bedroom. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Sitting area with comfy seats and stark white walls adorned with a lovely painting. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Study with white furnishings and outdoor access through sliding glass doors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This bathroom has a single sink vanity and a tub and shower combo fitted with brass fixtures. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The theatre has rustic touches and a vivid blue accent wall graced with artworks. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
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Walk-in closet with white built-n shelves and wide plank flooring. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This bedroom has a comfy skirted bed, a built-in wardrobe, and lanai access. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Another bedroom with a skirted bed, wooden tables, and a beige woven rug. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The estate was purchased by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed for $1.135 million dollars in 1997. Breathed is famous for his seminal comic strip Bloom County, which ran in newspapers across the country from 1980 to 1989. The popularity of the comic strip earned him a Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1987. Bloom County inspired multiple spin-offs – Outland and Opus, which continued after the original ended in 1989.
In addition to his career as a cartoonist, he was also a celebrated children’s author, who published books such as A Wish for Wings that Work, The Last Basselope, and Goodnight Opus. Three of his ten books were eventually turned into movies and he also did some consulting for the TV show America’s Most Wanted. So Breathed has had a long and fruitful career in the entertainment business.
The Property
Not long after purchasing the property, Berkley razed the existing residence and constructed the impressive five-bedroom estate that stands today. Situated on a mountaintop on the outskirts of Santa Barbara, the property is 6,063 square feet and sits on a 25.11-acre lot.
The home has an elegant design that is both classic and contemporary. The main living area boasts an open concept layout with the kitchen overlooking the dining and living rooms. It also has panoramic windows that offer stunning views of the local skyline. The kitchen comes fully equipped with stainless steel SubZero and Thermador appliances, as well as a generous center island with the option of including up to six chairs.
The primary bedroom features a custom marble and limestone floor, as well as stunning floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize the amount of natural light. In the private bathroom, residents enjoy dual sinks and an elegant soaking tub with a window beside it that offers breathtaking views of the local scenery.
In addition to multiple secondary bedrooms, the home also comes equipped with a spacious guest suite and home theater. The theater features a fully-operational movie screen, comfortable reclining chairs, and an eye-catching blue-accented wall full of artwork. The guest suite comes complete with its own living room, dining area, and kitchen, as well as a huge walk-in closet.
A backyard terrace also offers a glistening swimming pool and an outdoor dining area where residents can enjoy a meal with stunning views of the water.
Plus, the home is outfitted with Moroccan and Egyptian lanterns, sconces and fixtures, and Balinese-style wood ceilings.
The home is currently being listed at $6.785 million. This is not the first time that Breathed has tried to sell the vacation property – it was first listed in 2013 for $4.95 million and again in 2014 for $4.475 but failed to attract a buyer. But it’s now being listed again in hopes of finding a wealthy individual who wants a luxury estate in a remote location in the Santa Barbara Mountains.
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Jon Dykstra
Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.
His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.
His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn
