Dream home: this restored Californian ranch is a labor of love

Psst...we think we may have found our ultimate dream home. What if we told you that you could have it both way: live on a working ranch in the middle of a nature reserve and have hotel-style amenities like a luxury pool, a tennis court, and a helicopter pad? 

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Rancho Latigo is all of these things – and more. The glorious ranch in the Santa Barbara area sits on 4,675 acres of land (yes, you've read that correctly) and features a 14,000 Spanish Colonial-style home with six en-suite bedroom and a three-bedroom guesthouse.

The working ranch features an 11-stall horse stable, 10,000-square-foot barn, covered riding arena and various turnouts. Mountain lions and black bears roam the regenerated land (we're getting really excited now). 

It wasn't always so. Goldman Sachs executive Fredric Steck bought the run-down ranch in 1999, and it didn't look anything like it does now, the land overrun by weeds  and over-grazed. The owner hired an eminent ranch specialist from Seattle to regenerate the estate; the result was so spectacular that it was compared to 'a national park comeback'. The property has since featured in Architectural Digest. 

This is not to say that the property itself lacks in luxury, or is just for nature/equestrian enthusiasts. Inside, the opulent interiors feature wood floors, French doors opening onto stunning views, and hand-carved detailing throughout. This is quintessential California living, and whoever gets this house when it goes on auction on October 20 will be one lucky home owner. It's currently priced at $24.5 million – sounds pretty reasonable for essentially owning a nature reserve? 

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