Monterra and Tehama
(pictured): Bryndie Beach, administrative manager of Tehama, explains the development’s “responsible growth” methods during a tour on Saturday.
More than a century ago, Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired by the cypress-covered cliffs and bleached sand beaches of the Monterey Peninsula to write Treasure Island. Over the weekend I discovered that treasure still remains nearby, with the developments of Monterra and Tehama.
I attended a Monterra press trip to see this California development first-hand. Many communities are touting themselves as green these days, but extraordinary lengths were taken here to preserve the natural setting of rolling hills and open meadows with California live oaks and Monterey pines. Roads were built around the trees. The trees that had to be removed were replanted elsewhere or “potted” to be used later for landscaping. Deer, wild turkeys and quail are abundant. Curbs are few because the baby quails can’t make it up the curbs! Only 168 estate homesites are offered on 1,700 acres– you cannot see the homes from the road. Driving through, you get the sense you are in a state park, not a housing development. Plus, Monterra’s location–a few miles inland and with a higher elevation–leaves it above the fog line and with warmer temperatures than usually seen in Monterey.
(pictured): A social fitness membership to Tehama’s new fitness center and pool is available to Monterra residents.
The developer, Roger Mills, has an extraordinary success story that began with his brother taking a job with a produce company. Eventually, he found himself selling 2,000 acres to Clint Eastwood, who is now developing 90 homesites within the adjacent Tehama community with the same environmental sensitivity.
Monterra homesites range from 2 to 20 acres and start at $1.8 million. Look for more on Monterra in the August/September issue of Unique Homes.
