12605 Highwinds Road, , Ojai, CA 93023(Ventura County)

This home was definitely designed for those who love to spend time outdoors, which is displayed through its many al fresco features, including a lighted tennis court, a 12-stall barn, an arena, a round pen, a swimming pool and spa, a vegetable garden with raised garden beds, a family orchard, a regulation-size horseshoe pit, numerous outdoor entertaining areas, a fire pit, and a large, brick, built-in barbecue. The barn sits on a concrete slab and is currently set up with five indoor-outdoor stalls, an indoor wash rack, a tack room and a feed storage area.

Other features found throughout the approximately 5.11 acres include a hot walker, mature landscaping (most with automatic irrigation), a fountain, covered parking, tons of guest parking, two irrigated pastures, a composting area and an over-sized, three-door RV garage. There are also two smaller garages attached to the caretakers quarters, which would be great for storing recreational vehicles, tools or maintenance equipment. A working outhouse with a flushing toilet adds to the ranch-style appeal of the property.

All of these amenities are nicely separated throughout the property and easy to get to on roads that connect each level.

Once you have had a chance to take in all of the exterior features and enter this approximately 4,274-square-foot, hacienda-style estate, you will likely feel right at home in the spacious, inviting interior.

The courtyard design allows for two distinct wings, which provides separation between the main living areas in one wing and the guest quarters and three flex rooms in the second wing. The quest quarters have a full, en suite bathroom, a walk-in closet, an exposed, wood beam ceiling and a separate entrance, making it a comfortable retreat for both short- and long-term guests.

The three spacious flex rooms could be used for various purposes, including a home office, an artists or writers retreat, a gym, a game room, additional guest rooms or a yoga studio. One of the flex rooms has a wood-burning stove, two have tile floors, two have trestle ceilings and each has French doors opening to the courtyard.

As you enter the main living wing of this spacious Upper Ojai equestrian estate, you step into a formal vestibule bathed in natural light from over-sized windows. This large vestibule has plenty of space for a breakfast area or designated reading spot, as well as three sets of French doors leading into the open-concept great room. The center set of doors opens to display the sunken living room, which features a grand, brick fireplace.

Travertine and hardwood floors connect the different areas in this expansive room, which also is home to a wet bar, a walk-in coat closet, the formal dining area and French doors leading to the courtyard and swimming pool. Over-sized windows look out to a fountain and mature landscaping, while an arched doorway leads to a hallway with wood floors leading to the bedrooms and laundry room.

To the left of the great room, you will find a powder room, the kitchen and the family room. The kitchen features a laminate floor, lots of storage space (including pull out shelves in cabinets and the pantry), granite counter tops, a granite breakfast bar, great views from the sink and prep areas, a built-in microwave, an electric cooktop, and a stainless steel dishwasher, double oven and warmer.

The kitchen has a door leading to the portico that acts as an exterior entrance to the courtyard and is open to the family room, which has French doors leading to the courtyard.

The first room on the courtyard side of the bedroom wing is the master bedroom. As you enter the room, you are greeted by a brick, corner fireplace and views of the courtyard, pool and mountains through a set of French doors. The bedroom seamlessly flows into the en suite bathroom with a two-person spa bathtub, a large vanity with two sinks, a tile shower and a separate lavatory. You can also enjoy courtyard views from the large, walk-in closet as you select your ensemble for the day.

As you continue down the hallway, there are three guest bedrooms with appealing features, like large closets and ceiling fans. There is also a guest bathroom with laminate flooring, dual sinks, a tile shower, plenty of storage and a separate lavatory.

At the end of the hall, you will find a huge laundry room with a tile floor, sink, lots of storage, plenty of counter space and a lavatory conveniently located for use by family members and friends enjoying the pool. The door leading outside from the laundry room opens onto a brick patio adjacent to the courtyard with a gate to a separate yard area with a fountain.

Much as it was during the Rancho Era, the courtyard in this hacienda-style home provides a central location for family and guests to gather for events and celebrations or simply to relax by the pool. Two changing rooms near the pool allow you to control the flow of guests into the main home, while a covered seating area provides a shady place to relax when the suns rays are a bit too hot. There is a built-in barbecue grill for cooking outdoors, as well as a fire pit and spa with a waterfall flowing into the pool for your guests to enjoy while swapping stories or watching the kids play.

Both passive and active solar are in place to offset the costs of electricity for the pool and the house. There are three Casitas Municipal Water District water meters for the property (one of which is a shared meter) and a septic system.

This Upper Ojai horse property has so much to offer and the exterior features are so thoughtfully laid out across the property that it is a little difficult to show it all with just a few photos on a website.

If you are searching for a luxury equestrian estate designed for an exceptional living and entertaining experience indoors and out, contact Nora Davis to schedule a private showing to see just how much this home has to offer.