1243 Crest Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024

Natural meets exceptional on Crest Drive at this private Hacienda-style estate on a 29,600 sqft lot. Tucked in a pastoral canyon, this 4BD, 3.5BA single-level is awash in natural beauty w/ pastel bluffs & native landscape, recalling an earlier time. Kick back on the rambling property with arched doorways, Saltillo floors, wraparound porches and endless outdoor spaces. The kitchen & family room open onto the bluff-side patio & kiva; The primary bedroom features an adobe fireplace and French doors. A detached guest casita has a full kitchen and fireplace. Fun feature: A donkey barn.Uniquely set against the bluffs, this private Hacienda-style estate reveals wild enchantment and refined warmth, setting the scene for a strikingly distinctive experience. Tucked off a private driveway in a pastoral canyon, the house invites guests to bask in natural beauty. Seamlessly blended into native canyon habitat, the rambling property is Southwestern-inspired with arched doorways, Saltillo floors, wraparound porches and endless communal outdoor spaces. There’s a spectacular backyard with a waterfall spa, firepit and Eastern canyon views toward Rancho Santa Fe, dotted with hot air balloons. Connection is a design priority. Three of the four bedrooms connect to the family room, which opens onto the sprawling bluff-side patio through 14-ft bifold doors. Similar to Sedona’s Red Rocks, the bluffs dramatically change color in the light. At sunrise, grab your coffee and wake up to illuminated vistas. Come evening, the corner kiva is the centerpiece for cocktails and conviviality. Laidback luxury thrives here. The primary bedroom features an adobe fireplace and French doors opening onto the backyard, where owls provide the nightly soundtrack. Spilling onto an outdoor dining area, the livingroom and dining room is warmed over with a large fireplace. Entertaining is seamless: The kitchen boasts 3 ovens, 2 dishwashers and a 6-burner Dacor stainless stove-top. The 750 sqft Casita features a full kitchen, bath, fireplace and wraparound porch with canyon views. A carport is equipped for RV parking while the garage features a Honduras mahogany door. Fun feature: A donkey barn, replete with a vintage mission bell, can easily be transformed into an art studio, She Shed or mini-office. Proximity is one of the big boasts on Crest. Aside from being one of the most picturesque streets in North County, where walkers savor ocean views, the neighborhood is close to the 5 Freeway and plugged into the energetic Encinitas lifestyle. Beaches, hiking and downtown Encinitas are close by. Meanwhile, the conveniences of El Camino Real are a quick jaunt.