About the Victorian Mansion

The Victorian Mansion was built by a Russian immigrant family in 1864 and moved to its present location from Nipomo, California in 1980. Over 200 expert craftsmen, artisans, and artists spent almost 10 years creating the 6 theme suites inside. The muralist alone spent over two years and over forty hours each week completing the murals.

Hidden bathrooms, spiral staircases, a 750 pound cannon coffee table, an Egyptian sarcophagus, a 1500 pound solid stone door, swaying sea lanterns, a chariot, and a 1956 Cadillac convertible are just a few of the curiosities you'll find inside.

Dick Langdon, the original owner, was a creative visionary. He refurbished the neighboring Union Hotel, a former Wells Fargo stagecoach stop, and created the Victorian Mansion in what was then, and still is, a small town. He attracted guests from all over the world well before the Santa Ynez Valley became the renowned wine region it is today.

Our story begins in the late 1980's when the current owner's parents stumbled upon the Victorian Mansion while exploring the little town of Los Alamos. They fell in love with the property and were frequent guests when the original owner operated the hotel. Rod, the current owner, visited several times himself, and this quaint bed and breakfast set the bar for him as to what a bed and breakfast should be. He even kept the original, oversized brochure he received as a guest for years. In fact, he still has it today.

He had always dreamed about having a unique bed and breakfast similar to the Victorian Mansion and even drew rough sketches of the ideal property when he was younger. It would be like a Disneyland for adults he would say.

After not having been to the bed and breakfast for several years, by a twist of fate he found out that the original owner had passed away over a decade before and that the bed and breakfast had fallen into a state of disrepair and was for sale. He visited the old Mansion upon hearing the news, and decided to purchase it in 2007 and restore it to its original grandeur so that guests could have the same, amazing experience he and his family had years before. He spent over a year restoring the Victorian Mansion paying attention to every detail, including bringing the original muralist, Joyce Ortner, back to touch up the damaged murals.

His goal is to keep with the creative vision of the original owner, Dick Langdon, while adding a few of his own touches. In keeping with that vision, he plans to convert a 1914 yawl that was built for the King of Denmark into another suite, the Castaway Suite. He also plans to add a tree house suite in the future, once again keeping true to the dreams of the original owner.