Construction started in 1936-1938 but from 1943 when Bill and Barbara Tipton moved down from Los Angeles, to farm the 16 acres of Avocados and Citrus.. this has been the "Tipton Ranch". The hilltop rock bottom pond where many a Vista old-timer learned to swim, was used for grove Irrigation, and to this day the Vista Irrigation District has an abandoned easement to the "Pool". Today the Irrigation Pond is a beautiful black bottom pool, surrounded by view deck, lush landscaping, lilly ponds, babbling recirculating creek and waterfalls. The choice hilltop location is totally private, serene, quiet... and offers a 360 degree panoramic view.
The two photos above show some of the extensive remodeling that has been done, while maintaining the architectural style and charm of the original residence. "French Country" is the style, paned windows at corners of rooms, no overhanging eaves, low pitch roof, and coffered ceilings. Subdued elegance of yesteryear is the experience. The french doors to the left of, and below the turret are today's entrance into an extra room that has been used to run a family owned business. This was the original entrance to the garage for the family sedan. Above the "garage" was a "Summer Porch" where beds could be moved to enjoy cooler sleeping and evening breezes. Today this Summer Porch is the new Master Bedroom and Bath. The Turret, architecturally correct, and the room to the right of it.. the new Family Room were added when the Master was created in 1993. A natural rock staircase leads to the entrance to the new wing. French Windows, French Doors, raised hearth fireplace.. all work to create the pre-war country charm.
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Somebody call Bob Villa... there is a house in San Diego (well Vista) that has a basement. The basement of the home is just incredible. Built like a fortress out of stone native to the hillside, it offers more than just wine storage. There is tons of storage, and the original garage, now an extra room or office with French Doors is light and bright and has a walk-out to the detached workshop. There is also a large workshop here, the two rooms above are of particular interest. The basement shower is a story in itself. Hand built by Bill Tipton, it is constructed of "Carlsbad Pebbles", each stone placed in cement until a 3/4 round stall capped with an oval roof (of stones too) completed the structure. Barbara Tipton said Bill never came in from the Grove without cleaning up in the basement shower. While the electrical, gas, roof and plumbing have been extensively updated and/or replaced... the shower has been retained.. lighting added.. and still the place to get rid of the grime. The other room shown above is the "Grove Worker's Bunk Room. Cool in the Summer, and warm in the Winter...built in desk and vanities..day light window.. and poured concrete bed pads. The Tipton Ranch hands of the 30's and 40's had comfortable clean lodging and full bath facilities.
Have a business you want to run out of your home? The possibilities are endless here. The current owners have a conditional use permit to do light manufacturing in the shop shown above. The spacious shop has natural light, overhead fixtures, ample bench space and electrical, a 1/2 bath with sink for clean up, and an attached two car garage. One stall of the garage has an oversized height door for RV parking. Behind the shop is a storage container for material and or inventory. Any sheet metal, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing or painting contractor would kill for this combination of shop, storage, parking and function. The second picture above is the private view deck on the legal income rental on the property. This second home could be a guest house, art studio, parent or granny suite, or simply the way you defer some of the debt load. The rental was built prior to the original structure.. on a stone basement foundation. The basement actually has access to the are below the attached garage.. where there is a pit for changing oil or doing automotive maintenance. You can picture the "Model A" parked in here. The rental has two sleeping areas.. but one, an interior room without windows, has not been marketed as a bedroom. The current tenant has been here 6 years... and the current rent is $850 per month. The entry shown is private and the stone work on the stair approach.. as well as the stone work seen through the door of the shop, add charm and character. The approximate 968 square foot rental was totally remodeled in 1990. New kitchen, new bathroom, separate laundry facilities, attached garage, view, deck, private entrance and guest parking.. no wonder tenants stay so long.
Be sure to visit the second page of this property... this is an unusual combination of income/business/residential... but the overriding experience is yesteryear charm. This is a lovely home, and a quiet serene living experience that could never be duplicated today. On page two of this property will be interior shots of the original residence.. and some of the spectacular, exotic landscaping and yard features.
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