Sequester yourself in the Secret Ranch

Welcome to “The Secret Ranch,” a 12-acre estate with more than 12,400 square feet of living space under roof located in the exclusive Covenant of Rancho Santa Fe.

“This world class estate was created to provide the perfect balance of family life in a modern ranch environment,” boasts the listing for the property, built in 1999.

Interior features of the “timeless, masterfully designed and constructed modern craftsman main residence” include “reclaimed vintage fir ceiling beams, mahogany doors and decking, heart of pine and travertine flooring,” and “numerous stone finishes.” Formal dining provides seating for 14, while the gourmet kitchen features a Viking six-burner range and double oven, plus two more “Gaggeneau ovens and warming drawers, double dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and freezer drawers.”

The master suite has “oversized windows and French doors opening onto a large deck and views,” along with his-and-hers vanity areas, a steam shower, private exercise room, and an “office hobby room.” An adjacent “bedroom wing” includes a den and three more bedrooms and two baths.

An elevator from the 12-car garage leads to a butlers’ pantry off the kitchen. A lower-level game room and sports bar is “a fantasy for all sports and media loving folk,” with its 85-inch flat-screen TV accompanied by two more above the bar so that “all games can be covered on game day.” There’s also another bedroom suite, additional half bath, and 500-bottle wine room.

The family room “can be expanded into the Florida room whose disappearing pocket doors open onto the central patio, koi pond, and barbecue area bordered by a large lawn and play structure. Pocket doors downstairs open to a patio alongside the disappearing-edge pool, separate pool house with second kitchen, cabana area with a sauna, and “massive outdoor fireplace.” The pool itself features “a giant water slide for fun at every age.”

Other outdoor amenities include “award winning landscaping,” a regulation tennis court with optional basketball court, sand volleyball court, outdoor shower, and “state of the art stable with six stalls, each with their own corral.” Equestrian facilities also include three pastures, a riding ring, barbecue area with saloon, and direct access to Rancho Santa Fe’s extensive trail network.

“The Secret Ranch — quality, lifestyle, luxury, sophistication, privacy, and place to call home,” promise listing materials. “Live your lifestyle dream!”

Public records indicate current ownership lies with a holding company, 4840 El Secreto LLC, which acquired title from the Scripps Family Trust headed by William and Kathryn Scripps, who are the only listed members of the limited liability company currently on title. William serves as a trustee of the UC San Diego Foundation, where his great-grandfather E.W. Scripps and E.W.’s sister Ellen founded the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

The Secret Ranch was first offered for public sale in mid-November, with an asking price of $23 million that remains unchanged to date.