Orinda’s Signature Estate: Casa Azul

Enter on a gated driveway and survey the hacienda's grand facade, evoking the era of the Spanish explorers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Ten massive Italian cypress trees and towering redwoods stand guard over the 2.3-acre estate, joined by magnolias, lavender, jasmine, ferns, white birch, plum and cherry trees, white roses and azaleas, verbena, a walking path, and a water feature that babbles like a brook in nature. The setting delivers privacy, elegance, and quiet grandeur.

Inside, the home unfolds with rare scale and craftsmanship. The formal entry introduces a gracious floor plan, where the primary entertainment spaces reveal themselves in sequence. The ballroom, spanning approximately 600 square feet, is designed for gatherings both intimate and expansive. A wood-burning fireplace with marble surround wards off winter chill, while an ornate chandelier and richly detailed wood ceiling set a scene for memorable evenings. Nearby, the living room offers a more contemplative retreat. Nearly 500 square feet, with extensive built-in shelving and a fireplace, it suits quiet reading or lively conversation.

The adjacent kitchen has been thoughtfully remodeled, blending timeless design with modern function. Under a beamed ceiling, quartz counters and a generous island provide ample workspace and seating, while a bay window frames serene garden views. A butler's pantry with wine refrigerator and abundant storage supports entertaining both grand and intimate.

Casual living spaces flow from the kitchen, including a dining room beneath a century-old chandelier with garden outlooks on two sides, and a charming sunroom ideal for everyday meals. A well-appointed exercise room and powder room complete the main level, with abundant storage throughout.

Two stairways — one from the grand foyer, the other from the kitchen — lead to the bedroom level, where four spacious en-suite bedrooms provide privacy and comfort. The principal suite opens to a covered terrace overlooking the gardens and features a custom walk-in closet and an elegant bathroom with dual sinks and a dual-head shower. Each secondary bedroom is generously proportioned, with distinctive features including garden views, terrace access, dressing rooms, and a sunroom.

A further level above offers a bonus room, ideal as an office or creative retreat, with windows on three sides capturing the surrounding greenery.

The grounds are nothing short of extraordinary. Designed as a private resort, the rear yard offers a pool, spa, sauna, pickleball court, playhouse, outdoor kitchen and barbecue, grassy play areas, and multiple seating venues including a pergola-shaded lounge and outdoor fireplace. Meandering paths, a water feature with natural filtration, and an extraordinary collection of mature plantings create a setting that is curated and serene.

Equally impressive is the stand-alone guest house, built from scratch on the site of the original carriage house. At 2,350 square feet, it offers two bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, a full kitchen, and multiple living spaces, ideal for extended family, guests, or multigenerational living.

Additional features include a basement workshop, extensive storage, an EV charging station, and proximity to Orinda Village and BART. The result is both seclusion and convenience.

This is a rare offering: a property of substance, beauty, and enduring appeal, where architecture, grounds, and lifestyle come together in a setting both exceptional and timeless.