By: JEAN NAYAR
A quartet of dreamy SOCAL properties on the market proves that every day can be a holiday without ever leaving home.
NATURAL BEAUTY
6977 LAS COLINAS RANCHO, SANTA FE
Situated on Las Colinas, one of the premier streets in Rancho Santa Fe, this hacienda-style retreat offers the best of indoor/outdoor living in an inspired resort-style setting. Designed and built by Holcombe Homes, which specializes in dwellings in the area, “the level of detail in this home is unsurpassed,” says Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices listing agent Tim Van Damm. “There are reclaimed mesquite wood doors and floors, 19 fireplaces throughout the home, and a warmth and charm that’s truly one-of-a-kind.”
Among the highlights of the 10,504-square-foot, $7.795 million character-rich abode are multiple indoor-outdoor living and dining spaces, six spacious bedroom suites, ten spa-inspired baths, a wine-tasting room, a billiards room, and a separate guest house. Citrus orchards, a sports court, a large outdoor kitchen, courtyards off nearly every room (some with dreamy fire pits), and an expansive patio and pool contribute to the good life outdoors. “This home truly feels like a resort when you enter the backyard entertaining zone,” notes Van Damm. “The entire home wraps around the outdoor space, you can’t help but feel relaxed in that area.”
Other bonuses: “There are over fifty miles of walking and horse trails that residents of the Covenant have access to along with 24/7 roaming security, and the ability to join the exclusive Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, which is only available to Covenant residents,” says Van Damm. “People who live in ‘The Ranch’ do so because of the natural beauty that surrounds the area and privacy it affords.”
TIM VAN DAMM / 858.663.0911
[email protected] / LIC# 02011614
SERENE SANCTUARY
2805 SPYGLASS RIDGE ROAD, SANTA BARBARA
Ensconced in more than 2.75 tranquil acres on Spyglass Ridge Road, this stunning newly constructed 4-bedroom, 5-bath home looks out onto nearly 360-degree views, stretching from the Gaviota Coast to the Santa Ynez Mountains with the endless ocean in the distance beyond. Built of concrete and steel with floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and designed by Los Angeles-based architect Michael Holiday, the ultra-private 3-bedroom main house is like a sanctuary in the sky. “It’s incredibly peaceful and serene,” says Berkshire Hathaway Home Services listing agent Michael Calcagno. “It feels like a modern treehouse.”
A gated drive leads to the main house, which opens onto an expansive patio that separates the primary dwelling from the 1,200-square-foot guest house and steps down to a spectacular infinity spa/pool overlooking the mountains and ocean below. The wide-open interior entertaining area, including living and dining spaces and a minimalist kitchen with a marble island and state-of-the-art appliances, makes the most of the jaw-dropping views from within. And retractable glass walls—a feature of most every room—open onto covered terraces and patios, including a grand covered outdoor dining space with a striking fireplace, where views of the valley below can be enjoyed in comfort even on crisp evenings.
Rich materials like black and Calacatta marble in the ensuite baths, and custom crafted cabinets and millwork throughout exude discreet luxury at every turn. Bathed in sunshine most of the year and surrounded by nature’s beauty, the home is a privacy seeker’s paradise, with hiking trailheads just steps away. “You could stay and hang out and relax here all day,” says Calcagno. “Yet, if you feel like socializing, the beach and all that Santa Barbara has to offer are just a five-minute car ride away.”
CALCAGNO & HAMILTON / 805.565.4000 [email protected] [email protected] LIC# 01499736 Michael Calcagno
LIC# 01129919 Nancy Hamilton
ENTERTAINER’S DREAM PARTY PAD
744 MUIRLANDS VISTA WAY, LA JOLLA
Designed by Paige Koopman of Cabrillo Architecture and built in 2010 for recently retired San Diego Padres All-Star pro baseball player and L.A. Dodgers broadcaster Adrian Gonzalez and his family, this $14.9 million 9,726 square-foot estate perched on a gently sloping half acre overlooking the ocean “is the whole package,” says Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices broker Maxine Gellens, who holds the listing with Marti Gellens-Stubbs. Situated in La Jolla’s prestigious Muirlands neighborhood—named for Scottish-American naturalist, philosopher, and father of America’s national parks—its setting is a premier vacation spot valued for its easy access to the ocean as well as the village of La Jolla. “With seven en suite bedrooms, eleven baths, a 12-seat theater, a fully-equipped gym, a wood-paneled office, a climate-controlled wine cellar, myriad gathering spaces, and a chef’s kitchen,” says Gellens, “the home is an entertainer’s dream—ideal for a family reunion.”
Stunning living areas with disappearing doors open onto an expansive ocean-facing deck and covered outdoor living room, offering the perfect platform for al fresco dining with 180-degree views of the coastal scenery, including the Pacific’s crystalline waters and the village.
Other perks include an enchanting, very private backyard with pristine grounds and gardens, a built-in grilling station, and a sprawling stone patio surrounding the sparkling pool and spa. Game and bar rooms, garage parking for up to five vehicles, a gated drive, zoned heating and cooling, and attached guest quarters on the main level add to the easy living quotient. And stunning millwork and quality craftsmanship throughout further enrich this inviting retreat on the Muirlands’ western slope, which is just minutes away from La Jolla Village’s Cove and its many famed beaches.
MAXINE & MARTI GELLENS / 858.551.6630 / [email protected]
LIC# 00591299 Maxine Gellens / LIC# 00882546 Marti Gellens
BLISS NEAR THE BEACH
32651 SEA ISLAND DRIVE DANA POINT
Offering one of the finest views in Monarch Beach with 270-degree vistas of the ocean, this contemporary 4-bedroom home is a beach lover’s dream. “Situated high on a hill, you get riveting views of everything from Dana Point Harbor across the expanse of the ocean to the golf course completely unobstructed,” says listing agent Milad Sadeghian. Perched on more than half an acre, the completely renovated $6.5 million, 3,200-square-foot dwelling is just minutes from Salt Creek Beach with easy access to popular water sports like paddle boarding, kayaking, jet-skiing and surfing. “You can watch the surfers from inside the home, which is also a short drive to North Laguna and Newport with the best bars and restaurants, and shopping,” says Sadeghian.
Floor-to-ceiling windows along the entire expanse of the vaulted, airy great room—which includes the family seating/entertainment area, dining space, and kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances—ensure full access to the breathtaking views, while sliding glass doors allow a seamless connection to a covered terrace and adjoining patio where meals can be taken al fresco.
Ocean views extend into the master suite, which includes a walk-in closet with custom cabinets and a spalike bath with dual vanities and a deep soaking tub. Two of the three additional bedrooms are also ensuite with sliding doors that lead to separate patios. And an enclosed pool and expansive covered patio in the front yard, accessed through sliding doors that allow views through the home to the ocean beyond, are ideal for lounging with family and friends or hosting a poolside barbecue.