7401 Shepard Mesa Road

Carpinteria, CA

More Info & Contact
$5,450,000
Main Residence
5 Beds/ 4 Baths
Year Built
1945
Lot Size
1.89 Acres
Square Footage
+/- 3,524

sunrise - sunset

Settle into the soul of California. Set on nearly two acres along the coveted rim of Shepard Mesa, this 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom California coastal farmhouse captures a rare combination of light, land, and 360-degree ocean and mountain views. The landscape opens in every direction, sunrise over the hills, sunset into the Pacific, shaping a daily rhythm defined by space and open air.

California coastal farmhouse

  • Redesign Architect: Richard Bliss Nelson, AIA
  • Restoration Architect: Steve Shaw, Shaw House Works
  • Designed to live primarily as a single-level
  • Lower-level media room with 100-inch projector screen
  • Infinity deck with floating design and porcelain “wood stone” finish
  • Custom chicken coop
  • Thriving fruit trees including cherimoya, avocado, lime, persimmon, orange, tangelo, tangerine, & fig trees

Where style meets the horizon

Rooted in a 1940's adobe and thoughtfully expanded in the 1960's by  Richard Bliss Nelson, former president of the American Institute of Architects. Known for landmark works including the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and early buildings at UCSB, Nelson approached the property with a clear intention — to shape a residence that responds to its setting and takes full advantage of its elevated position above the coast.

That vision continues to define the experience today.

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Let the outdoors in

The residence unfolds with an ease that feels both practical and open. While arranged across multiple levels, the home lives comfortably on a single floor, where the primary living spaces, kitchen, bedrooms, and outdoor deck connect seamlessly.

At the center, the living room opens to a broad infinity deck overlooking rows of avocado and fruit trees below. 

California Dreamin'

A custom water element and fire pit anchor the space, creating a natural setting for outdoor dining and evenings that extend into the night.

The kitchen is bright and functional, with light from above and subtle ocean views. The dining room introduces a more intimate setting, anchored by a fireplace.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Two primary suites offer distinct ways to experience the home. Spanning the upper level, this dramatic primary suite opens to its own balcony, an inviting setting for slow mornings and starlit nights.

On the main level, the second primary is tucked away as a private retreat with an inviting spa-like bathroom and marble soaking tub. 

Both primary suites open to views across nearly two acres, where ocean vistas meet abundant fruit trees below.

A Versatile Layout

Three additional bedrooms provide flexibility for family, guests, or extended stays.

The Ultimate Night In

Designed for evenings in, the lower-level media room pairs a 100-inch projector screen with a built-in bar, creating a relaxed, lounge-like setting you may never want to leave!

Opening to outdoor dining, ocean views, and a spa, the space draws the sunshine in.

The land is both productive and purposeful. A mature and delicious orchard, with cherimoya, avocado, citrus, and fig trees, produces seasonally, grounding the property in daily abundance, from fruit picked straight from the trees to fresh-squeezed juice in the morning.

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Rooted in Abundance

The land also offers an income-producing component, adding a layer of long-term value.

Shepard Mesa is quiet and private, yet connected to all the Central Coast has to offer. A scenic one-mile loop extends just beyond the property, while nearby trails, beaches, and open coastline shape daily life, from Rincon surf sessions to rides along the coastal bike path, with Carpinteria, Montecito, Summerland, and Ojai all just minutes away.

The best of the central coast

Depart from the norm and let your home become the destination.

Property Details

BED/BATH

5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms

SQUARE FOOTAGE

Total: +/- 3,524 Sq. Ft. (Source: Measured, Property Plans)

INTERIOR FEATURES

Designed to live primarily as a single level

Dining room anchored by a wood-burning fireplace

Lower-level media room with 100-inch projection screen

Upper primary suite with private balcony and automated shades

Main-level primary suite with marble bath and dual vanities

Expansive living room opening directly to infinity deck

Integrated sound system throughout living areas

Exterior Details

Infinity deck with floating design and porcelain “wood stone” finish

Custom water feature

Fire pit with outdoor dining and lounge areas

Hot tub

Romantic exterior landscape lighting

Custom chicken coop

Fully fenced with hedging and natural screening

Irrigation system with separate residential and agricultural zones

Owned 21-panel solar system

ORCHARD & AGRICULTURE

Cherimoya, avocado, lime, persimmon, orange, tangelo, tangerine, and fig trees

Organic farming practices with highly productive soil

Income producing

LOT SIZE

1.89 Acres

YEAR BUILT

1945

APN

001-110-040

ZONING

Coastal

REDESIGN ARCHITECT

Richard Bliss Nelson, AIA

RESTORATION ARCHITECT

Steve Shaw, Shaw House Works

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Carl & Martha Jost

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Canalino Elementary School

Carpinteria Junior High School

Carpinteria Senior High School

STYLE

California Farmhouse

ROOF

Asphalt

FLOOR

Solid Oak Hardwood

Engineered Oak

Jerusalem Gold - Kitchen

Marble & Porcelain Tile - Bathrooms

EXTERIOR

Stucco

FOUNDATION

Mixed

PARKING

Attached 2-Car Garage

Gated Entry

Ample Parking

HVAC

Gas Forced Air Heating

Air Conditioning (Not on Upper Level)

East Bedroom with Mini-Split Air Conditioning & Radiant Ceiling Heat

Radiant Heat - Bathrooms and Lower Level

WATER

Carpinteria Valley Water District (on 2” AG meter)

Septic with Leach Fields

Water Softener

Reverse Osmosis

Navien Tankless Hot Water System

Richard Nelson Bliss, AIA

Spotlight Architect

Richard Bliss Nelson, AIA, was a respected Santa Barbara architect whose work in the mid-20th century helped shape the character of the South Coast. A longtime local, Nelson is best known for his role in the design of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, where his approach to coastal architecture emphasized openness, simplicity, and a strong relationship to the waterfront. His work extended across a range of residential and civic projects throughout Santa Barbara, often blending modern planning with traditional materials and forms suited to the region’s climate and landscape. Influenced by the area’s Spanish and Mediterranean heritage, his designs were never overly formal, instead prioritizing livability, natural light, and an easy connection to the outdoors. Today, his work remains a quiet but meaningful part of Santa Barbara’s architectural fabric, appreciated for its restraint, clarity, and enduring sense of place.

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