all is whale

An otherwordly retreat in the magical hills of Santa Barbara


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the whale’s song travels far

sand texture

“Whimsical.” — The New York Times

“Weird and wonderful.” — Dwell

“A stunning fantasy villa.” —Atlas Obscura

“Bonkers.” — Artnet

“Delightfully quirky.” — The New York Post

“Jaw-dropping.” — Apartment Therapy

Easily one of the most unusual homes anywhere—
a work of art.” —
The LA Times


The Santa Barbara Whale House was built by Michael Carmichael (and some of his friends) between the years of 1973 and 1978.

It was immediately considered a great architectural achievement with its 75 foot a blue tiled indoor-outdoor pool, hand carved sauna, hundreds of thousands of hand cut cedar shingles, artfully undulating plaster, Danish stained glass in every window cut with wave patterns, Willy-Wonka-esque elevator, indoor spa, and inumerable other fantastical and delightful details. The home is built around a castle-like tower of ferro-cement and foraged river rock from the creek that passes through the property.

the whale on film

Film by Erren Franklin.
Music by Ezra Feinberg.

black rock texture