A Sense of Place : Golden Bear Estates in Winters
September 21st, 2008 Categories: Country Property, Davis CA Real Estate, Davis Nature, Golden Bear Estates, Real Estate News, Winters Property
It’s pure nostalgia driving up into Golden Bear Estates - a land leftover from an era of simpler, agricultural times. Just 3 miles west of Winters, this enclave was formed in the 1960s by a couple of friends as a place where they could invite their friends to buy 5 - 40 acre parcels of land, build a dream house or what they could afford, and live in the beauty and serenity of rolling, tree studded hills. It is on the backside of the Napa hills - it has grapes, a couple of wineries, horses, views, a range of houses - but as my friend Jill says, Golden Bear is a place where the people “have their boots to the ground.” No Dean & DeLucca here, just silence, deer, coyotes and a few good friends.
Charms of Golden Bear are many, starting with the 6800 acre Audubon Bobcat Ranch - a wildlife restoration habitat that borders to the north. Or nearby Putah Creek - Creedence Clearwater’s “Green River” - for rafting or fishing. On hot summer days you can set your clock by the Berryessa Gap breeze that vigorously delivers a cool breeze early in the evening. The landscape is quintessential California golden hills studed with oaks, dry in the summer, lush in the early spring. An occasional orange grove, a pond here or there, a few horses grazing in a pasture….and an eclectic group of neighbors. The Golden Bear community is comprised of professors, retired veteranarians, poets, collectors, and equestrians, to name just a few of this private group.
Live here? It is rare that a home has come up for sale in Golden Bear, but this past year has seen several properties change hands. It stands to reason that those who built in the 1960s and 1970s are ready to move on. At the moment you can find a three very different properties for sale: a 5 acre parcel with a shop, 2-stall barn and a simple rustic house. Or an over-the-top gorgeous new 5000 sq ft + Italianate estate on 20 acres. Or a rare mid-century modern retreat that has been restored from floor to ceiling - a property that will call out to those who love the architecture of Cliff May.
Eat up! Winters is an agricultural center supplying the world with walnuts, almonds, apricots, plums and grapes. With the perfect micro-climate for citrus, chances are the organic blood oranges, mandarins or grapefruit you eat in your inspired San Francisco restaurant have been harvested from Golden Bear.
So remote but so close!
3 Minutes to: Buckhorn Restaurant, Palms Playhouse, Putah Creek Cafe
10 Minutes to: Lake Berryessa
20 Minutes to: UC Davis, Mondavi Food & Wine, and Performing Arts Center
28 Minutes to: Sacramento International Airport
45 Minutes to: Napa Valley
60 Minutes to: Berkeley
75 Minutes to: San Francisco
Call me if you wish to take a drive and have the Jamie-tour of one of the dearest places on earth! - Jamie Madison 530.574.0596
