5160 Carpinteria Avenue | Carpinteria Historical Landmark #1.
Relics of the last Ice Age, Torrey pines naturally occur in just two locations: Santa Rosa Island in the Santa Barbara Channel and along the coast near La Jolla. Collected in 1888 as a seedling on Santa Rosa Island, this Torrey pine was planted by Judge Ward on the grounds of his home (Wardholme). It thrived in Carpinteria's fertile soil, high water table, and perfect climate, soon growing beyond its normal height of 40-60 feet. It is considered to be the largest Torrey pine in the world. At its centennial celebration, held in 1988, it measured an astounding 128 feet tall, 121 feet wide at the crown, and 20 feet in truck circumference at four feet above the ground.