Serra Retreat is a guard-gated equestrian community of approximately 30 homes, at the foot of the Junipero Serra Franciscan Monastery. Built on land that was originally Darryl Zanuck’s polo grounds, this split level ranch house languished on the market for seven years before Manheim and Cercone purchased it as their personal residence where it was given a new life as a Spanish revival horse farm.

During renovation, Ms. Cercone learned that the Franciscans were parting with a priceless cache of original Malibu Tiles they’d salvaged when The Malibu Tile Factory burned in 1931. After hours of crawling around a spider-infested storage area, she emerged with enough specimen Malibu Tiles to create a breathtaking fountain, two wall murals, a fully tiled powder room, multiple fireplace surrounds and floor medallions that appear throughout the home.

FEATURES: Six bedrooms/7 baths; gated, king palm-lined driveway; living room with 16 ft. ceiling and oversized fireplace; four stall horse barn with corral, tack room and groom’s quarters; vegetable garden; peacock yard; pool and spa; guest house; home office; owner’s suite; kitchen/family room with 16 ft. ceiling and 5 wood burning fireplaces throughout.

For information regarding sale price and investor returns, please see “CONTACT” above.