Artisan inspired finishes on Encinitas’ Crest Drive

The luxury estate at 1864 Crest Drive in the hills of Encinitas, just east of Cardiff, promises “California coastal living at its finest” surrounded by “stunning whitewater ocean views.”

The main home includes five en-suite bedrooms and approximately 7850 square feet of living area, but there are a reported total of 12,000 square feet under roof, including a guest house and motorhome garage with “workshop complete with full bath and other amenities.” The hilltop lot encompasses more than an acre of land in total.

Inside, the “artisan inspired” finishes include “hand-hammered ironwork and copper details,” along with hand-painted tiles and mural work that “bring the walls to life.” Exposed beam ceilings and custom woodwork “bring unparalleled character into the home,” while “Phoenician first-cut Medieval limestone” said to be 600 years old and imported from Cyprus, covers the floors.

The estate’s entry is through dual stained-glass doors into a stone-lined rotunda, leading to a great room area with a combination of dining area, seating area with fireplace, and game room area featuring a round bar surrounding a large aquarium adjacent to the kitchen. A wood-paneled study features a ceiling mural and its own fireplace. The home gym is “complete with wet or dry sauna, ” and the private theater has its own bar. And, check out the “complete dog spa.”

The kitchen offers an indoor/outdoor concept, with professional range, oversized island, and pizza oven indoors, plus windows that open to the covered patio, which houses the barbecue facilities, outdoor seating, and yet another fireplace. The master suite features a private upstairs deck, walk-in oversized shower with multiple water sources, and a freestanding soaking tub.

The fully landscaped grounds, accessed via private gated entry, “are exquisite, complete with specimen plantings and amazing pool design with flowing river and slide.” An outdoor spa sits off the home’s main level, towering above the grounds to offer premium ocean views, while the multi-tiered pool sits below the home, tucked into the hillside for privacy.

In addition to a detached garage large enough to house a luxury motor coach, there’s another six-car garage adjacent to the main house and driveway parking for at least another 20 cars, allowing the owners to entertain large crowds.

“The attention to every detail in the construction and design will be appreciated for centuries to come,” promise listing materials. “Truly a piece of fine art/architecture.”

Public records indicate ownership of the Crest property currently lies with James Woods Jr. For three generations, Woods’ family has operated a construction company based in Vista that specializes in large-scale water pipeline projects.

The property was last listed for sale publicly in 2000, when it sold for a reported $675,000. At that time the property was home to a much more modest three-bedroom home built in 1946, though the lot was advertised as having the potential to divide and build as many as three homes. It was instead retained as one parcel, and the current estate was completed in 2010.

Nine years after its original construction, the home was listed for sale for the first time in mid-August of this year. The asking price of $8,925,000 remains unchanged to date.

• 1864 Crest | Encinitas, 92024
• Beds: 7 | Baths: 8 | Current Owner: James Woods Jr. | List Price: $8,925,000