1800 Back Ranch Road, Santa Cruz, CA
Rancho Refugio - A Place of Refuge
$4,250,000
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 Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean. 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 property 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. The property is 500 feet above sea level and 2 miles from the ocean—close enough to hear the surf at night, but far enough inland to be sheltered from the wind.
Rancho Refugio has been developed into a sanctuary for nature by Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, a renowned husband-and-wife creative team who have produced many stories for National Geographic along with acclaimed books about wildlife and wild places around the world. Over a period of three decades, they have enhanced the property’s meadows, woodlands, and redwoods to make them more hospitable to wildlife and wild flora. More than 150 species of plants now thrive there, along with bobcats, coyotes, deer, foxes, and many rare species of birds and amphibians. Lanting and Eckstrom have documented this resurgence of nature with stories and images, some of which were woven into Bay of Life, their project that celebrates Monterey Bay as the hottest hotspot of biodiversity in all of North America.
Features include:
Land and Habitats:
Two legal parcels totaling 11 acres of flat, usable land suitable for cultivation, recreation, or future structures.
Over 2,000 square feet of decks, stone pathways, and paved terraces for entertaining or quiet reflection.
Open-air jacuzzi overlooking meadows, redwoods, and dark-sky vistas.
Gardens blending Mediterranean drought-adapted species with native coastal plantings.
Wildlife pond, attracting frogs, salamanders, and numerous birds.
Onsite habitats include coastal prairie, oak woodland, redwood forest, and seasonal wetlands.
More than 150 plant species; 22 species of raptors; regular sightings of bobcats, coyotes, wild turkeys, and foxes; native plants support hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators.
Main House (2,400 square feet):
A romantic contemporary craftsman home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, inspired by Greene & Greene—the Pasadena architects famed for their Arts & Crafts bungalows.
Century-old redwood beams, Douglas fir, maple, copper accents, and stained pine flooring throughout.
Hand-troweled plaster walls, four gas fireplaces, and custom interior and exterior lighting by local craftsman Roy Johnson.
Chef’s kitchen with granite countertops, full-height backsplashes, and artisan cabinetry.
Dining and living rooms positioned for elevated views over redwood groves and coastal meadows.
A garden room that opens onto a Japanese-style courtyard framed with stonework and native plantings.
Primary suite with walk-in closet and spa bath featuring an ocean-view soaking tub.
Guest House (1,800 square feet):
Connected to the main house via courtyard, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, custom library shelving, laundry, and kitchenette.
Flexible living area offering panoramic ocean views and adaptable for studio, remote work, or private guest use.
Caretaker’s Studio (400 square feet):
Full kitchen and bath, sleeping loft, and French doors leading to a deck overlooking Wilder Ranch State Park.
Designed to accommodate staff, long-term guests, or creative retreats.
Additional Structures:
A 1,000 square-foot garage/workshop with ample storage and remote-operated roll-up door.
Detached greenhouse for propagation and seasonal cultivation.
Utility sheds for equipment and site support.
Infrastructure and Power Systems:
High-speed fiber-optic internet and Wi-Fi coverage throughout all primary structures.
Internal phone system linking the main house, guest house, studio, and workshop.
Emergency two-way radio network connected to neighboring properties via long-range antenna.
Private well in continuous operation for over 50 years.
Five storage tanks, totaling 22,500 gallons.
Low-flow irrigation system optimized for landscape restoration and garden maintenance.
22 KW Generac generator with automated backup capability.
A 500-gallon propane tank serving the generator, heating systems, and kitchen appliances.
On-demand water heaters and forced-air heating for energy efficiency.
Fire Safety:
Rated among the top 1% of defensible rural properties in Santa Cruz County by CalFire.
Two on-site fire hydrants connected to water reserves.
1,000 feet of professional firefighting hose and dual pressure pumps.
Grade A fireproof composite roofing on the main residence and guest house; metal roofing on the garage and caretaker’s studio.
Copper and sheet-metal siding reinforcing building bases.
Ember-resistant screens and perimeter sprinkler system for added protection.
QUOTES:
“We have documented many of the most beautiful places on our planet for National Geographic. But every time we come back from abroad, we marvel at the place we call home.”
Frans Lanting, Homeowner
“This home is a harmonious blend of architecture, art, craftsmanship, and nature, and for us, it is a place of serenity.”
Chris Eckstrom, Homeowner
2.5% Buyers Brokerage Compensation | Brokerage Compensation not binding unless confirmed by separate agreement among applicable parties.
5
beds
5
baths
4,613 Sq.Ft. LIVING AREA
11.175 Acres lot
I’ve represented remarkable properties, but Rancho Refugio offers a rare and profound connection to the land.
– Tim Allen
Santa Cruz has a myriad of activities to entice visitors, from the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, redwood forests, sandy beaches and sea lions.
ExploreWith many decades of combined knowledge of the Monterey Peninsula, the Tim Allen Properties team looks forward to providing you with a real estate experience that is second to none. Please feel free to explore our website, and contact Tim or any one of the team members with any questions you may have.