The Santa Ynez ranch McDonald’s built

You may know that the Egg McMuffin was invented in Santa Barbara, but did you know McDonald’s tycoon Ray Kroc owned a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley? The so-called J & R Double Arch Ranch was the home base for parties, food experiments, and, strangely, health conferences.

A remnant of the Kroc days is still visible on a signpost on Happy Canyon Road: A small, metal set of golden arches. Photo credit: Lisa Napoli