A Striking California Ranch Designed by Criss Gunderson Lists for $19.8M
In the guarded, equestrian enclave of Rolling Hills, where privacy and panoramic vistas define the landscape, 38 Saddleback Rd has come to market at $19,800,000. Built in 2015 and spanning 9,463 square feet on 1.26 acres, the estate represents a rare architectural statement within the highly competitive Rolling Hills Real Estate market. Designed by Criss Gunderson with inspiration from celebrated ranch architect Cliff May, the residence fuses contemporary lines with natural materials and intentional Feng Shui alignment.
Listing agent Keith Kelley of Strand Hill Properties describes the home as “a deeply intentional property.” He told Luxury Houses Magazine, “The owners didn’t just build a house—they created a sanctuary. Two Feng Shui masters were consulted to ensure harmony between the structure, the land, and the sweeping coastal views.”
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Architectural Integrity and Elevated Craftsmanship
From the moment one enters 38 Saddleback Rd, craftsmanship takes center stage. Italian limestone floors run throughout, complemented by handmade oak and walnut doors finished with Rocky Mountain hardware. Hope steel doors—of the same caliber used at the Getty Museum—reinforce the home’s architectural credibility.
The estate offers five bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, including a main-level primary suite clad in white marble walls and Calacatta floors. Radiant heating, zoned climate control, smart home integration, and an elevator reflect the level of detail expected at this tier of California Real Estate.
Public records show the parcel last sold in 2012 for $1.65 million before the current residence was constructed in 2015. Earlier transactions date back to 2000, when the land traded for $850,000—an illustration of how vision and design transformed the property into one of the area’s most distinctive offerings.
“Every finish was chosen for longevity and authenticity,” Kelley said in a separate conversation with Luxury Houses. “This isn’t trend-driven design. It’s timeless California architecture executed at the highest level.”
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A Dual-Kitchen Concept Designed for Entertaining
Entertaining is central to life at 38 Saddleback Rd. The home features a sophisticated dual-kitchen layout by Cooper Pacific of Beverly Hills. The primary kitchen is sleek and contemporary, outfitted with Gaggenau and Miele appliances, an expansive island, and a walk-in pantry.
Adjacent to it, the “Entertainment Kitchen” introduces warmth and theatrical flair with a handcrafted La Cornue range, a Wood Stone pizza oven, and reclaimed 150-year-old barn beams. The dining room glows beneath a sculptural Lindsey Adelman chandelier, while the lower level reveals a Cinema de Cuore theater with custom Fortress seating and a wine cellar built from recycled French castle stones and wine-barrel wood.
The seamless indoor-outdoor flow enhances gatherings. Walls of glass frame 270-degree views stretching from Malibu across Los Angeles to Long Beach Harbor, reinforcing the property’s commanding position above the coastline.
SEE MORE: A Sophisticated $11.995 Million California Estate Designed for Inspired Entertaining
Wellness, Privacy, and the Rolling Hills Lifestyle
Wellness amenities distinguish 38 Saddleback Rd within the broader Rolling Hills Real Estate landscape. The spa wing includes an all-cedar dry sauna, steam room with rain shower, massage room, and a soaking tub that transitions to an outdoor shower. A heated pool and in-ground spa overlook the coastline, creating a resort-caliber environment within a private residential setting.
Beyond the gates, residents of Rolling Hills enjoy access to horse trails, riding facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, and 24-hour guard-gated security through the Rolling Hills Community Association. Despite its pastoral atmosphere, the enclave remains within convenient reach of Los Angeles’ business hubs, coastal dining, and major transportation corridors—an increasingly rare balance in Southern California.
“Buyers today want land, security, and proximity,” Kelley noted to Luxury Houses Magazine. “38 Saddleback Rd delivers all three, along with views that are virtually impossible to replicate anywhere else in Los Angeles County.”
Market Context and Investment Perspective
At $2,092 per square foot, 38 Saddleback Rd sits at the upper echelon of California Real Estate, reflecting both its scale and architectural pedigree. The property has already generated significant online interest within days of listing, underscoring sustained demand for design-forward estates offering acreage and unobstructed water views.
For buyers seeking a contemporary ranch estate that blends Feng Shui principles, museum-quality materials, and panoramic coastal scenery, 38 Saddleback Rd presents a compelling proposition in today’s luxury market.
The property is currently listed on Zillow and represented by Keith Kelley of Strand Hill Properties. Additional details are available through the brokerage’s official website.
* This property might not for sale at the moment you read this post; please check property status at the above Zillow or Agent website links*
More Homes in California here:
- A Striking California Ranch Designed by Criss Gunderson Lists for $19.8M
- A Sophisticated $11.995 Million California Estate Designed for Inspired Entertaining
- A Remarkable $11.5 Million California Showpiece Designed for Modern, Elevated Living
- Bold and Breathtaking: A $36,888,888 Estate Overlooking the Cityscape in Beverly Hills
