Knapp's Castle

Located near East Camino Cielo in the Los Padres National Forest, the ridge-top site has a panoramic view of Lake Cachuma and the Santa Ynez Valley.

In 1940, Frances Holden bought the property and invited her friend, world-famous opera singer Lotte Lehmann, to move in.

The mansion was destroyed by a forest fire only five weeks later, and now only the massive sandstone foundations, fireplace pillars and walls of the original seven structures remain intact.

The parcel remained privately owned but for many years the ruins were open to the public; many hikers and photographers took advantage of this permission.

In January 2011, the site underwent new construction by the property owner, with a stone amphitheatre-style addition, some reinforcements, and other work.