By ,
Published February 02, 2017
If money were no object, what would your dream home include? Would it come with a giant pool with its own beach and waterfall? Sure. Horse stables? Greenhouse? Yes and yes.
But if your inner child always dreamed of racing go-karts in your own backyard, then behold the go-kart track, and everything else, on Los Robles Ranch. This playground for the young -- and young at heart -- is available for $17.5 million.
The ranch sits on 720 acres in Santa Ysabel, CA (about 30 minutes from San Diego), and was purchased by David Batchelder of Relational Investors in 2000, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Built in 2006, the home and all of its fun features were designed as a family compound for Batchelder's kids and grandkids. He wanted to provide amazing activities to compete with their tech gadgets, according to listing agent Eric Iantorno. Mission accomplished!
"It's really like having a Montana ranch in San Diego," Iantorno says. "And it's also far more beautiful than you could ever imagine."
But we were fascinated by the track. For the uninitiated, the go-karts zipping around the course aren't hurting for horsepower. They have motorized engines designed for putting the pedal to the metal on a closed course -- think starter NASCAR.
It's the type of activity normally found at amusement parks, not at someone's house. "It's super fun," Iantorno adds.
The paved course, about a half-mile long, was created by a "professional racecourse designer." And it twists and turns with tight curves and abrupt angles that only a pro could dream up. Better brush up on your cornering skills.
While not a common sight at someone's home, go-kart tracks have actually revved back into popularity in the past decade, according to USA Today. Competitive go-kart races are even covered on sports channels such as Velocity. Indoor recreational tracks have popped up around the country, fueling interest in the sport.
It's safe to say the Los Robles Ranch course is one of the few tracks to be found on private property.
But the fun doesn't stop there. For those averse to burning rubber, you can indulge in the 650,000-gallon pool, a paintball park, skeet shooting, archery, a putting green, stocked fishing ponds, and miles of riding trails.
You'll feel at home on this range with a small head of cattle, mainly for keeping the grass short, according to Iantorno.
The seller is willing to throw in the herd as part of the sale price. The purchase also nets you a caretaker, tractors, golf carts, and, yes, the go-karts. Whee!
Batchelder won't need the go-karts at his new digs. Now that his grandkids are grown, he and his wife have moved to a family farm in Pennsylvania. "They love [the ranch]. They're just not using it as much," the agent notes.
The 3,500-square-foot main residence includes wood-beam interiors, four bedrooms, and plentiful indoor-outdoor space. There also are two guesthouses and two caretaker homes.
"It really is a turnkey ranch," Iantorno says. "It makes you smile."
We'll race you to the finish line.
https://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/for-your-amusement-los-robles-ranch-has-its-own-go-kart-track-and-paintball-park