The story
In the sunny north end of The Sea Ranch, 230 Haversack is a quiet east-meadow house with filtered ocean views, generous light, open space, and an unusual degree of privacy. Designed by Ralph Matheson and built in 2000, the approximately 1,600-square-foot property is one level, with high beamed ceilings and a remarkable ten-foot glass pyramid skylight at its center. The main house includes a spacious bedroom and bath; a detached guest suite offers a ground-floor bedroom and full bath, with an additional sleeping loft above. Passive solar heat with gas backup, wood burning stove, a two-car garage with built-ins and work space, broad decks, a covered porch, and a working hot tub make the house highly practical as well as distinctive. Within the substantial redwood enclosure is a large private garden courtyard, developed over many years with mature Japanese maples, camellias, madrones, fruit trees, flowers, berries, a pond, large compost area, and ample room for vegetables, herbs, and other edibles. The setting brings together many of the qualities that have always distinguished The Sea Ranch: architecture that belongs to the land, miles of meadow, bluff and forest trails, beaches and coves, nearby Del Mar Recreation Center, pools and tennis, dog park, 2 acre community vegetable garden, and the cultural life of the Gualala Arts Center only minutes away. At more than 150 feet above sea level and close to town, the property combines seclusion with access; fresh coastal air, excellent community water with substantial reserves, high-speed fiber internet, underground utilities, dark skies at night, healthy growing conditions, local farms and markets, quiet roads, and abundant wildlife all contribute to a rare sense of ease and resilience. It is not remote in spirit, nor elaborate for its own sake. It is simply a very good place to live. This is about as good as it gets.
