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The late Jan DeWitt, who produced dozens of episodes of “The Pretender” and “Judging Amy,” before producing nearly 250 episodes of the syndicated crime dramedy “Bones,” owned this secluded spot in the foothills above Santa Barbara. The Hollywood scion passed away earlier this year at the age of 75 and now, for the first time in generations, the DeWitt family’s beloved retreat in the Mission Canyon neighborhood has come for sale, asking $2.95 million via Kat Hitchcock and Kylie Tersigni Cardenas of Hitchcock and Associates at Compass.
The house was actually built by Jan’s father, Hollywood screenwriter Jack DeWitt, back in 1946. The architect was Kem Weber, a leading West Coast modernist from the 1920s through the early 1950s. Weber, who started as a furniture designer, created many pieces for the Disney art department. Jack met Kem in Hollywood and recruited him to build his family home. And for decades, this was the family’s treasured hideaway. Indeed, the younger DeWitt loved the area so much, he built another home right next door, which was sold in 2020 before his death.
Tucked away at the end of a private driveway that passes under a canopy of old-growth trees, the 2,400-square-foot house now on offer is an inviting blend of rustic and contemporary architecture. Natural stone and wood combine inside and out to offer the best of a southern California lifestyle.
Set on just over 1.5 acres, the gardens are a masterwork of pathways, patios for entertaining, spots for quiet contemplation, all perfect for enjoying the region’s sublime Mediterranean-style climate. Off the main living spaces, a lovely patio offers a pergola, barbecue, and outdoor fireplace. Additional gardens, more patios and a nice deck are also available to make the most of the good weather.
Inside, rustic ceiling beams, a top-of-the-line kitchen, and multiple fireplaces warm the hearth and heart, while French doors and copious windows invite peaceful contemplation of the gardens. There are four bedrooms, including a very spacious primary suite tucked away at the back of the home, as well as three updated bathrooms.
Agent Kat Hitchcock says, “This property is unlike anything else. From its rustic charm and sprawling oak studded grounds, you truly feel like you have traveled to the mountains right in the backyard of Santa Barbara.”
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