Nestled on its own 45.12 acres of natural serenity, with two ponds, a running creek and a mountaintop, this parcel is part of a 450 acre working avocado and citrus ranch known as Hermitage Ranch. This one of a kind property, on the market for the first time in more than 30 years, offers a unique blend of privacy, natural beauty, and ranch life. Feel yourself begin to unwind the moment you enter the gates to Hermitage Ranch and are surrounded by trees and mountains. Then make your way through picturesque pixie tangerine and avocado orchards, and in minutes cross between two ponds and you are home.  Allow the tranquility of nature to sink in as you enter the separate gates to your own haven within the larger Ranch. This is an ideal retreat for farming enthusiasts, those seeking a more sustainable lifestyle, artists, writers, musicians, or those just wanting to get away from it all.  Only six minutes from Ojai, but worlds apart.  Come discover the magic of this property and get inspired by the possibilities which await you. 

Nature lovers will be enchanted by the two reservoirs available for fishing, swimming, kayaking or just sitting by the dock, feeling inspired by the red-tailed hawks circling above. There is a natural creek running through the property and wildlife abounds, with frequent sightings of deer, fox, bobcats, heron and migrating birds, as you wander the trails and immerse yourself in nature and peaceful ranch life. Climb a dirt road to a mountain top on the property and discover a river rock labyrinth which boasts breathtaking 360 degree views of the Ojai Valley, Chief Peak and the changing colors of the landscape as the pink moment hits the mountains. A perfect place to allow your creativity to soar while doing a walking meditation or star gazing at night.

The centerpiece of the property is a striking radial home, architecturally designed in the 1980s by Donald Hoppen, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and updated over the years.  The double-decker windows frame front and rear vistas, bringing the outside in, and allowing you to feel as if you are living in a contemporary tree house. The main residence offers three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, plus a loft, across approximately 2526 square feet.  Crafted for both comfort and entertaining, the home features vaulted ceilings, towering beams, windows galore, bamboo floors, a ceramic wood burning stove, plus an expansive trex deck for luxuriating in magical sunrises, pink moment afternoons, and glorious moonlit nights. The chef’s kitchen, with generous counter space, invites culinary exploration with a Wolf 6 burner range and 2 burner grill, double ovens, and Bosch dishwasher. The primary ensuite is its own lower level retreat, with an expansive bathroom, front patio and separate access to the back deck. Upstairs is a versatile loft, with a balcony and glorious views-ideal for an in-home office or TV room, and connects to a full bath and a second bedroom. The third bedroom and bath are near the side entry door, creating a unique multi-level layout. 

A separate one bedroom, one bathroom guest house of approximately 750 square feet is secluded and private, perfect for visitors, extended family or rental opportunities, and adds valuable flexibility to this already extraordinary property.

The original Hermitage Ranch was divided into 10 approximate 45 acre parcels in 1973, and was classified as Agricultural Preserve, and thus benefits from the Williamson Act, offering potential agricultural property tax advantages. Most of the ranch is planted in citrus and avocados. But one could plant a vineyard or whatever agricultural product your heart desires. The orchards are individually owned and operated but can be jointly managed by Essick Farm Management, who can also provide help around the ranch. All property owners share responsibility for maintenance of the private Hermitage Road. The owner of each parcel also holds shares in the Hermitage Mutual Water Company, which provides irrigation and domestic water, purchased from Casitas and pumped to individual parcels.The Hermitage Mutual Water Company, of which you are a shareholder, has an easement and right of way to the reservoirs, and is responsible for their maintenance.

This parcel features a thriving family fruit orchard with apples, blood oranges, pears, peaches, tangerines, macadamia nuts, guava, kumquats, pomegranates and a variety of other fruits right at your fingertips, plenty of room for a vegetable garden, and a recently revitalized avocado orchard with about 30 newly planted avocado trees, which should be producing soon, plus many old trees which have not fared well over the last few years. The owner uses organic fertilizer but no herbicides or pesticides. The property also includes additional diverse features and amenities including some solar, a propane tank, bird aviary, a rustic barn and corral for horses, a greenhouse, a boathouse with compost restroom up by the ponds, tool shed, carport and attached flexible enclosed space (which could be transformed into an artist’s studio or a he/she/they cave), and a meditation/yoga lathe house-each space thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings.

This three bedroom, three bath, plus loft sanctuary is more than a home or a hide-away; it’s an oasis for your soul to flourish. Come, connect, fall in love with this land and let your spirit soar.