Stupendous Views at the End of Alta Mesa’s Most Dazzling Street

Noteworthy new listings….

When I recently walked the Harbor Hills part of Alta Mesa, I noticed that 1708 La Vista del Oceano ($8.99 million), at the northern end of the street, was empty—you could see right through the building to the ocean beyond. So I was delighted when the property came on the market and I was able experience the views from inside and the rear. They did not disappoint, particularly to the southeast. The house was built in 2012 but many of the surfaces want updating, and some of the architectural choices—the split-level entry, an awkwardly angled downstairs guest room—may prove challenging. With that view from all major rooms, however, and a sexy infinity pool to boot, who cares? P.S. The trail I mentioned yesterday cuts across the property, down the hill and out of sight.

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Newly renovated 1839 E. Mountain Drive ($8.35 million) feels like a winner: it looks good, feels good, and should sell quickly. There are a fair number of little stairs here and there, and the primary suite has a couple of pinch points, but the kitchen is more welcoming than it comes off in the photo. And the .59-acre lot punches above its weight, with a pool, a built-in fire pit, a small lawn, and a lower level where you could put a big dining table that you’d probably never use but would look great on Instagram. P.S. 1845 E. Mountain Drive, next door, is back on the market ($8.95 million)—both can be had for $17 million. And then you can convert all of 1845 into one giant closet!

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The front door at 1530 Shoreline Drive ($3.795 million) enters into a narrow living room that’s unlikely to see much action, because the main attraction is upstairs—an airy kitchen/family room that opens onto a broad deck. The three bedrooms are all downstairs, and there’s an office upstairs that can be used as a fourth bedroom. The seller paid $2.5 million in August 2020 and did a nice renovation, but the backyard is a bit undercooked.

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I counted six levels at 853 Jimeno Road ($3.45 million) on the Lower Riviera, or five if you’re not splitting hairs. On one hand, that’s a lot for a 2,218-square-foot house; on the other hand, the three bedrooms feel even farther from each other as a result. While I wish the kitchen were larger or brighter, overall the house has an appealing sense of place.

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Prediction: the 1964 three-bedroom at 2038 Cielito Lane ($2.395 million) will sell for well over ask—and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes back as a spec reno. There’s something ineffably cool about much of it, even if you might like to have more outdoor space facing the ocean view and/or a garage. (That said, the freestanding porte cochère in the middle of the looped driveway is fun.)

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The seller of 2271 Whitney Avenue ($3.495 million) in Summerland paid $1.94 million in November 2020 and gave it a clean, contemporary renovation; the huge primary bath and the backyard, in particular, are real pluses. There are a lot of stairs, though, and the “bedroom” on the main floor seems more likely to get used as an office. P.S. The kitchen island reminds me of flying coach.

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3427 Chuparosa Drive ($2.395 million) is a super-sweet 1938 three-bedroom in San Roque where, during the brokers’ open, an agent caught some side-eye from me after she said how much she loved the floor plan. Sure, the common rooms have a warm scale and flow, but the bathrooms…. The primary shares a Jack-and-Jill bath with a guest room; another guest room uses a bath accessed via the laundry room; and the apartment above the garage has a sink and toilet in one room and a shoebox shower in the other. Solve the puzzle and you’ll have a cutie.

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And a few others worth checking out:
••• 2335 State Street ($1.995 million): 1924 Spanish three-bedroom at the corner of W. Junipero; bold window choices in one room (above).
••• 533 Brinkerhoff Avenue ($2.495 million): Two Victorian houses (including 139 W. Cota) on one lot.
••• 4641 Via Clarice ($4.395 million): 1995 Mediterranean five-bedroom off San Antonio Creek Road. Hello, Clarice….
••• 1091 Palomino Road ($1.795 million): “Nearly complete” three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath.
••• 2620 Janin Way ($2.175 million): If you’re going to live in Solvang, you might as well go all the way.

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