10241 Cinnabar Hills Road

Listed for $2,398,000  |  SOLD for $2,265,000 on 12/4/2015

The lifestyle is “Peaceful-Exuberance,” the Silicon Valley is just a short commute away, yet the feeling of this location is a world away! With the nearest neighbors located several hundred yards away, and a location nestled between two of the county’s largest regional parks, this is a home that exudes privacy; a true sanctuary from the fast-paced digital world of Silicon Valley.

Neighboring Almaden Quicksilver and Calero County Parks, residents within the small town of New Almaden enjoy over 8,000 acres of wild terrain, making this home’s location a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts…from hiking or biking, to horseback riding, fishing or just exploring; how will you be inspired?

This custom hillside retreat was recently built by the homeowners from the ground up in 2000. The home itself is elegant, set in a natural wonderland and designed to compliment the rich hillside landscapes while maximizing the dramatic viewpoints over the valley below; and with over 2,000 sf of wrap-around decking, the home provides a rich indoor-outdoor living experience.

Inspired by French-Provincial architecture, the homeowners adorned the home with old-world craftsmanship and fine finishes while also utilizing innovative materials and modern building techniques. The grand entry is breathtaking; the custom wrought iron doors open to reveal a wall of windows commanding your gaze beyond the foyer and into the living room where expansive views over the valley below fill the vaulted ceilings with enchanting sunlight.

Offering high ceilings and an open concept layout, the spacious interiors have been designed to take full advantage of the captivating views while promoting an abundance of natural lighting throughout. The morning sunlight perfectly illuminates a well placed office, while the grand living room enjoys full lighting throughout the day ending in a magnificent sunset finale.

The main level features the living areas of the home, including a gourmet kitchen, formal dining, grand living room, office, convenient half-bath and laundry room. The exquisite master suite is tucked away at the south-end of the property and enjoys optimal privacy and breathtaking views. Three well-sized bathrooms are located on the upper level, while a guest suite and informal family room finished off the lower level.

The thoughtful placement of this home on a sunny knoll with the perfect vantage over the valley below provides this home with a story-book setting. Shaded by countless majestic oak trees and littered with colorful patches of wildflowers, the grounds of this estate encompass over 16-acres of hillside beauty and include a long private driveway, a separate 4-car garage, a full-size bocce-ball court, and lots of room for the imagination. 

At the end of the long private driveway, and nestled into the hillside behind the home, the over-sized four-car garage provides ample room for both the weekly commuter cars and well as those special rides for for the weekend. The garage can also accommodate additional storage and room for a workshop…above the garage is a partially finished attic currently used as storage, but could be finished as a guest suite or studio apartment.

Just below the house, a full bocce-ball court that has been pre-wired with the sound system from the main house awaits to liven up any occasion worthy of gathering at the estate. Adjacent is a large knoll perfect for completion as terraced gardens, or even an estate winery. At the south-side of the home several enclosed areas are found, presently used as vegetable gardens and a pet-run. With over 16-acres of prime hillside, what will you create?  

The Silicon Valley may be just a short commute distance away, with freeways and light-rail stations just a mere 10-minute drive, yet the setting seems to be an entire world away. 10241 Cinnabar Hills Rd is located within the gated community of Cinnabar Hills Estates, a grand hillside development composed of a dozen custom-built homes at the southern-end of Alamden Valley. Known for their large acreage, these custom hillside estates are nestled into the canyon walls above the quiet town of New Almaden. 

What’s fascinating about Almaden is that it’s as rich in history, as it is in breathtaking beauty….hidden among the natural hillside landscapes scattered with majestic oak trees and colorful wildflowers, visitors will find stoic mining remnants left over from the days when Almaden was once a world-famous quicksilver mining community.

Today, Almaden is home to over 40,000 residents, a place where many of Silicon Valley’s engineers, scientists, athletes, and hi-tech executives call this historically rich community home; a place often referred to as one of the most gorgeous landscapes in America with it’s rolling tree-covered hillsides, gorgeous vistas and vast open spaces.