Rifugio Privato Con Superficie

“It’s not just a home, but a lifestyle,” residents say about living in Bollinger Canyon. This lovingly crafted property exemplifies why.

Set on two parcels totaling nearly 33 acres, this thoughtfully designed property seamlessly integrates a busy, comfortable family life with the beauty and inspiration of the outdoors. The warm and inviting home features oversized windows, skylights, stunning interior wood finishes, soaring ceilings, and ample storage space. Multiple decks surround the home, enhancing both the fenced back yard and private outdoor spaces in front. Canyon views abound. A winding path across the lawn leads to a 16 x 40-foot pool, set among the oaks and wrapped by a newly refinished and refurbished deck with built-in benches and views to the surrounding hills. The two-car garage is a hobbyist’s dream, currently outfitted with extensive counters and cabinetry.

Originally designed to accommodate the family’s horses, the special property has three barns, a covered arena, an outdoor arena, and large pasture areas. It is surrounded by open space, and is close to the Old Moraga Ranch Trail, the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, the extensive trail system managed by the John Muir Land Trust, Las Trampas Regional Park, and the lands of East Bay MUD. But the shopping and restaurants of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda are just minutes away.

The home offers four bedrooms and three full bathrooms. A lovely dining room with redwood wainscoting opens to an outdoor deck. The well-appointed kitchen showcases a welcoming breakfast nook, with windows in every direction and skylights along its length, together with a Vermont Castings wood-burning stove. The features of the two-story living room blend the magic of the outdoors with the comforts of home: generous tall windows complement the warmth of the interior redwood and straight-grain fir paneling, with an inviting window seat and multiple bookshelves. A river-rock fireplace centers the space. It is fitted with a Jotul fireplace system, which can function either as an open fireplace or as a wood stove to warm all of the house. A door to the deck invites yet another connection to the out-of-doors.

Each bedroom offers large windows, and three have special reading nooks and skylights. The principal suite is particularly noteworthy, with a large skylight, a surround of windows, extensive closet space, and a walk-in shower. A beautiful outdoor shower with amazing back yard and canyon views completes this private oasis.

Air conditioning isn’t often necessary in the canyon, but when it is warm outside, mini-split air conditioners (which also can function as heaters) serve the principal suite and the downstairs bedroom. A recently updated baseboard heating system warms the entire house with gentle radiant heat. A whole-house Generac generator stands by to provide emergency power, and multiple water tanks store a generous supply for both drinking and irrigation. The two parcels are supplied by water from a shared neighborhood well, and one of the two parcels has a private well in addition. A leased 500-gallon propane tank provides energy for the kitchen cook-top, the 75-gallon water heater, and the radiant heating system. Solar panels power the independent well.

One family spent a lifetime developing and loving this special place, with its comfortable lifestyle, great neighbors, and room to play and explore. A city’s comforts are close at hand, yet a city’s cares are worlds away.