2139 McNell Rd, Ojai, CA 93023

Tucked down a long and private wooded drive in Ojai's prestigious East End, bordered by hand-stacked stone walls, you will find this enchanting 1910 cottage on over 2.4 acres, with a generous pool and charming guest house. Built by the Gorham family, who owned the surrounding acreage and which they dubbed Whale Rock Ranch, this little piece of Ojai history is a treasure that has only been on the market once or twice before. The home has high ceilings, wood floors, built-in bookcases and enjoys lots of natural light. The sweet farmhouse kitchen is clean and functional and graced by a wallpaper scene of 19th century Paris. The cozy bedrooms, with many windows and lots of closet space, are so relaxing, and the mud room with built-in laundry is neat and practical. The oversized garage provides plenty of storage and could be a yoga or art studio. Plumbing, electrical and septic have been upgraded. The current owner's husband, a landscape architect, planted a mix of California natives and drought tolerant plants from South Africa and Australia. He also added a walled and fenced vegetable garden (also good for chickens) and planted a small orchard with citrus and stone fruit. A mature olive grove and a massive boulder at the back of the property are the stuff of inspiration and imagination. If one is looking for the slow-living lifestyle, this magical property is ready to choose a new steward and, just maybe, it could be you.