1800 Back Ranch Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

This exceptional property is in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, along a gated private road with great views of the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay. It is secluded and serene, yet it is only 5 minutes from Highway 1, 15 minutes from Santa Cruz, and 90 minutes from San Francisco. The property covers 11+ acres of flat, open land and has 2 legal parcels. It features a romantic, contemporary Craftsman home (~2400 sq.ft.) connected via a courtyard with a guest house (~1800 sq.ft.), surrounded by extensive gardens, patios, and decks for outdoor entertaining. A modern kitchen opens to a spacious dining room and a living room with sweeping views over a coastal meadow frequented by wildlife. The main bedroom has a walk-in closet and a bathroom with ocean views. The guest house has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a library, kitchenette, and a large living space. The compound has a caretaker's studio (~400 sq.ft.), a garage and workshop (~1000 sq.ft.), and other outbuildings. It has a modern infrastructure with high-speed internet and backups for communications, power, water, and fire safety. Sited ~500 feet above sea level and 2 miles from the ocean, it is close enough to hear the surf at night, but far enough inland to be sheltered from the wind.