Santa Barbara Magazine’s Fall 2026 issue opens with “The Man Who Listened,” an intimate final portrait of legendary horseman Monty Roberts. Photographed at his California Horse Center shortly before his passing at age 91, Roberts reflects on the philosophy that transformed modern horsemanship: replacing force and fear with communication, trust, and respect. His revolutionary approach won an early and influential champion in Queen Elizabeth II, who became both an advocate and close friend. The story celebrates a remarkable life devoted to proving that listening—to horses and to one another—can be more powerful than force.

In “Reframing the Future,” art collector and philanthropist Quinn Ezralow trades Beverly Hills for the wide-open landscape of the Santa Ynez Valley. Her 40-acre Round Two Ranch fulfills a long-held dream of returning to horses and country life while providing an entirely new setting for a lifetime of art, furniture, and collected treasures. Working with J2 Interiors, Ezralow reimagined a 1970s Spanish-style home with a spirited mix of contemporary art, vintage furnishings, and deeply personal pieces—a sophisticated reinvention that feels unmistakably her own.

“Sou​​lful Wanderer” visits surfer, filmmaker, and rancher Chris Malloy on the 105-acre property outside Los Alamos where he and his family have created a life rooted in land, ocean, and self-reliance. After decades spent chasing waves around the world and helping redefine modern surf culture, Malloy has returned to a quieter California existence—raising a family, tending the land, building, surfing, writing, and filmmaking. His hand-built home and ranch reveal a deeply personal world shaped by salvaged materials, memories, stewardship, and an enduring connection to the Pacific.

The Parker family welcomes readers to the table in “Four Generations, One Ranch,” a celebration of the extraordinary legacy that has grown from Fess Parker’s original vision for his Santa Ynez Valley property. Four generations now gather among the vines and olive trees, while the 714-acre working ranch supports Fess Parker Winery, FP Ranch Beef, and Third Window Brewing. What began with a few cattle, vines, and the hope of creating something his children could one day share has evolved into an interconnected family enterprise built around wine, food, hospitality, stewardship, and an abiding attachment to the land.

Rounding out the issue, the Fall 2026 Winery Guide returns as an essential companion to Santa Barbara wine country, edited by longtime Central California wine writer Gabe Saglie. Alongside the guide, the issue celebrates the region’s harvest season, established winemaking voices, leading sommeliers, tasting destinations, and the people continuing to shape Santa Barbara County’s remarkable food-and-wine culture.