Rancho Santa Fe

This week we visit Buena Vista Farms, an estate set “on a raised plot of land” comprising more than 15 acres of coveted land within the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant. The property at 6025 El Montevideo includes more than 10,000 square feet of improved living area between the main residence, two-bedroom, four-bath guest house, and detached “spa/exercise pavilion.”

Originally built in 1984, the “tranquil, gracious, and private oasis with a sense of life and nature” was “created by the renowned designer Ken Ronchetti” of Encinitas and built by the Weir brothers, who made their name building modest adobe homes throughout San Diego before moving on to construct some of the more prestigious homes in the already-exclusive Rancho Santa Fe. A recent renovation was overseen by Bay Area designer Paul Wiseman.

The gated entry and “private meandering driveway is flanked with native California pepper trees,” which open to “exquisite gardens, lemon and olive groves and state of the art horse facilities,” all featuring “commanding views overlooking the largest estates of Rancho Santa Fe.”

“Custom entry bronze-encased glass doors lead to the main residence foyer. featuring large wall space for showcasing art and two long gallerias leading to separated wings of the house,” which feature Venetian plaster, distressed antique white oak plank flooring, and custom bronze windows, doors, and sconces.

Palos Verdes stone fireplace in the living room

The living room ceiling soars to nearly 17 feet in height, “showcasing antique oak beams” and a “floor-to-ceiling Palos Verdes stone fireplace with custom designed iron and bronze screen.” The kitchen features two islands and “generous flamed Absolute Black granite counter space,” along with top-of-the-line professional appliances to “enhance the functionality of this chef’s delight.” There’s also a family room with large stone fireplace (the home boasts four in total), a “Eurpoean country-style dining room” and a “handsome library of ultra-suede walls with extensive bookcases.”

Massangis French limestone flooring in the Master Bath

The master retreat includes “a limestone fireplace and windows overlooking tranquil gardens plus a bathroom with Massangis French limestone flooring, marble shower, vanities flanked in marble, and a raised tub” plus oversized his-and-hers closets with dressing and seating areas and a “separate closet for luggage storage.”

Just because you're rich is no reason to let yourself go

Off the master wing of the home, one finds the detached “luxurious spa and exercise pavilion, creating a haven for relaxation” with its bocce court, regulation tennis court, and “resort-style pool creating a quiet haven for peaceful enjoyment or elegant parties.”

The six-stall barn and tack room

There are also the equestrian facilities, with six-stall barn and tack room, built with the same Palos Verdes stone façade as the main residence. In addition to the guest house, there’s a staff apartment and office adjacent to the barn, as well as five separate irrigated pastures and a European-style walker, plus an “agricultural equipment building” for storage of a truck and horse trailer.

“This is a rare offering and in the exclusive Covenant in Rancho Santa Fe, close to Palomar airport, all major highways, the renowned RSF Golf and Tennis clubs and the village. Adjacent to the Equestrian trails. Buena Vista Farms — a sense of life and nature through landscape and animals.”

“A quiet haven for peaceful enjoyment or elegant parties.” So, no cannonballs?

Public records indicate the Farms are currently owned by Gerald “Gerry” Parsky, head of the billion-dollar, Los Angeles-based private investment firm Aurora Capital Group. In the 1970s, Parsky served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and over a span of four decades received multiple high-level committee appointments from Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and both Bushes. Parsky also chaired the host committee that brought the Republican National Convention to San Diego in 1996.

Parsky and his wife Robin purchased Buena Vista Farms in 1997. The sale price was not disclosed, but the parcel currently carries an assessed value of $11 million. After one unsuccessful attempt to market the property for $27 million spanning 2013 and 2014, it remained off-market until late February, when it was re-listed with a reduced asking price of $21 million that remains unchanged.