Escape the Daily Grind at Villa Campagna
Written By: Sarah Hood
Photography Provided By: Willis Allen Real Estate
Even the most ardent lover of urban San Diego occasionally feels the urge to retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life and seek refuge amongst one of the many rural neighborhoods whose properties seamlessly melt into the dips and curves of the inland countryside. The crown jewel of these communities is, of course, Rancho Santa Fe, where extensive country manors perch on gently sloping hills or in tree-lined valleys, with enough distance between the private drives and the main roads to shield these glamorous homes from the public gaze. The further east into this district you travel, the more you feel as if you have been whisked off into your own private fantasy world; and as you approach a certain three-acre lot on El Mirador road, you are almost certain that you are not in San Diego anymore.
This property, affectionately dubbed Villa Campagna, evokes an aura of serenity as you slow to a halt on the spacious driveway outside the approximately 7,090-square-foot residence. As you survey the expansive grounds from the front entrance, you notice rows upon rows of lemon, orange and olive trees, which compose the property’s three producing orchards. What you don’t see is nearby houses—being the pinnacle of privacy that it is, Villa Campagna is almost completely isolated from its neighbors. Further evidence of the home’s emphasis on solitude can be found within the main courtyard, whose sparkling fountain and warm bronze hues recall images of an Italian country estate. Just off this sun-drenched area is one of the property’s “his and her” offices, from which an individual can complete projects and conduct business affairs without disturbing fellow housemates.
As you step inside the residence for the very first time, you pass through the foyer and find yourself within an immaculate living area featuring Venetian plaster walls, French limestone floors and a hand-painted ceiling. This room’s visual perfection is intensified by custom-made furniture in shades of cream and gold, all of which have been hand-selected by Villa Campagna’s current owners. And when you move onto the adjoining veranda, your breath is further taken away by stunning 270-degree views of the Del Dios mountains. However, this is not the only spot near the entryway from which visitors can admire the surrounding countryside. Even when the front doors are closed, sizable panes of glasses embedded within the wooden frames allow for sweeping views of the grounds.
Adjacent to the living room is the formal dining room, which sports a high ceiling and bronze light fixtures in addition to more specially made furniture in various neutral hues. Twin arches on the right-hand side of the room lead to a butler’s pantry that includes a built-in wine cellar as well as gorgeous wood cabinets. Walking through this area will take you to the full working kitchen, where meal preparation can be accomplished with ease thanks to ample counter-space and a center island topped with black granite. Exposed wooden beams grace the ceiling, and a welcoming breakfast nook sits in a nearby alcove, surrounded on three sides by large windows overlooking the back patio. From here, you move into the dedicated family room, where maple barrel wood lines the ceiling and broad French doors lead to an outdoor kitchen, complete with a brand-new Lynx barbecue.
Down the hall from the family area, you discover a wing comprised of two of Villa Campagna’s six bedrooms. Each suite boasts maple hardwood floors and contains a walk-in closet and an attached bathroom with a stone tub. Meanwhile, wandering down the opposite side of the house leads you to the second “his and her” office, and a flight of stairs leading to a multi-purpose bonus room, which could potentially double as another bedroom. The final room within this wing is, of course, the master suite, in which you find a lounge area, a set of French doors leading off to an outdoor patio, and a fireplace (one of five within the house) outlined by the same Venetian plaster covering the living room walls. The master bathroom is equally luxurious; individuals can pamper themselves in complete privacy thanks to the steam shower and Whirlpool tub.
Venturing outside, the main living area and down a set of grass-covered steps reveals an open-air paradise, perfect for an individual who loves outdoor living but still craves the comforts of home. The sweeping rectangular lawn is bordered by neatly trimmed shrubs on either side and a wooden trellis adorned with leafy vines on the far end of the yard. On the right-hand side of this gorgeous green stretch of land, you see a shimmering pool and spa that boast a Pebbletec finish as well as a retractable cover to ensure the residents’ safety and the water’s cleanliness. As you wander down the multi-level patio and pass the outdoor kitchen, you spy the 1,000-square-foot guest house. A peek inside unveils amenities that are sure to delight visitors, including travertine stone floors, a grand fireplace and a full bar. Moving on to the left-hand side of the yard, you pass by several gleaming water fountains and suddenly find yourself amid an enormous garden that sports elegant rose bushes, an assortment of exotic fruit trees and smaller dirt beds with raised stone borders displaying home-grown vegetables ripe for the picking.
Villa Campagna and the seclusion it offers is truly one of a kind; you cannot help but feel grateful for having received a respite from the chaos of modern life and the monotony of the daily grind. With a newly found sense of peace that only the hidden nooks of Rancho Santa Fe can give, when you purchase this property you’ll feel refreshed and ready to face the world ahead.
Bright and New: Villa Campagna was originally built in 1999, but it underwent renovations in 2008 and 2012 to modernize the appliances and update the exterior.
Take a Listen: The family room features a Sonos music system with individual volume monitors and surround sound.
17009 El Mirador
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Willis Allen Real Estate
877.515.7443 | [email protected]
Listing Agents:
Shawn Rodger
CalBRE# 01276557
858.922.7912 | [email protected]
Linda Sansone
CalBRE# 01219378
858.775.6356 | [email protected]
