Neverland Ranch

Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly Neverland Ranch or Neverland Valley Ranch, is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest. From 1988 to 2005, it was the home of the American singer Michael Jackson. The ranch is about five miles (8 km) north of the unincorporated community of Los Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town of Santa Ynez. Originally named Zaca Laderas Ranch, the estate was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch shortly after it was purchased by the property developer William Bone in 1981. Jackson first visited the ranch when he visited Paul McCartney, who was staying there during their filming of the "Say Say Say" music video in 1983. Jackson purchased it for an undisclosed amount in 1988 and renamed it after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, a boy who never ages. He installed features including an amusement park that had a similar theme to Disneyland which was Jackson’s favourite theme park, a petting zoo with several animals and a train station with a large floral clock. He owned it until his death in 2009. After the property had depreciated for several years, the American billionaire businessman Ronald Burkle, a friend of the Jackson family, purchased it in 2020 for US$22 million after years of failing to find a buyer.