$4.6M Modern-Rugged Ranch in California Serves Up the Best of Both Worlds

If you want to live near modern conveniences but far from the fast pace of modern life, Ricon Ranch is calling your name. This home at 115 Hollister Ranch in Gaviota, CA, is available for $4,595,000.

The bespoke dwelling, northwest of Santa Barbara, is a world unto itself.

Ricon Ranch is set on a 102-acre parcel within the 14,400-acre Hollister Ranch, a private cattle ranch and nature preserve.

A diminutive dwelling

Ricon Ranch was built in 2016 by the current homeowner and Dave Mendro, principal of Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects. It was designed to withstand environmental threats—thanks to fire- and wind-proof materials—and to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

The modest-size dwelling also provides all the comforts of a modern-day home.

Its design was inspired by architect Mickey Muennig’s work, especially his Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, CA. The curved roofs and rustic-modern exterior reflect Muenning’s “post-ranch” aesthetic and the surrounding hills.

“We used low-maintenance, fire-resistant materials on the exterior,” says the seller, who prefers to remain anonymous. “We have a copper roof, predominantly metal windows and doors; and we minimized exterior wood. Inside, we aimed to enhance the indoor-outdoor nature of the home with natural materials, like flagstone floors that extend outside onto the patio.”

Ricon Ranch is built into the hillside—a simple and holistic design choice inspired by ancient Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. The home is tucked behind an electric gate and a paved driveway flanked by oak trees.

Zoning requirements shaped aspects the abode’s design and construction. As such, the one-bedroom, one-bath main home is just 797 square feet. It features custom cabinetry, stone floors, and limestone countertops.

Nearby, a 629-square-foot guesthouse offers a bedroom and a bath, situated in a loft over the detached garage next to the main house. The large glass windows in the guesthouse create the sensation of being enveloped by the live oaks.

The main house faces west, with views of the hills, and both structures are shaded by tree canopies.

“This home is ideal for a small family looking to enjoy a retreat out of the busyness of town,” says the listing agent, Nate Alker, of Sotheby’s International Realty–Montecito Brokerage. “It is immersed in the woods, surrounded by the Vaquero mountains and close to beaches as well.”

The property is a 20-minute drive to Buellton to the north and Goleta to the south.

A spectacular setting

Delightfully, the home’s construction was planned around the existing landscape of indigenous grasses and agave, with a plethora of wildlife.

“The last time I was there, there was a flock of turkey outside the gates,” says Alker. “There are also coyote, mountain lions, the occasional black bear, red-tailed hawks, quails, and many other birds.”

For more information and photos, check out the full listing here.

To see other homes for sale in Gaviota, CA, go here

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