Here in Ventura County there are so many outdoor activities to find, it seems impossible to image that it could all be contained in one compound. But one property made an attempt.

Down a long, communal drive which serves as a cul-de-sac to the four adjoining properties just off of Avocado Street is a magnificent property with amenities to spare. Guests arriving at the house at 138 Avocado will immediately find themselves impressed a three-car garage covered with ivy in bloom with pink flowers and the elegance of the long drive. Everything from this point inward speaks luxury.

In fact, the home has tremendous vacation home potential. With its flexibility and the bountiful selection of onsight entertainment, the house is a refuge of sorts. It could easily make a fantastic weekend home, or a retirement spot for an active couple.

Enter the gate to a grand courtyard with an elegant fountain and large seating area. Like a colonnaded garden on a tropical island, it is surrounded by lush vegetation and landscaping which leads the entire length of the home to a ravine traversing the far edge of the property. From here, the frame of the single-story, Spanish-style home can be seen peeking out through the fronds and flowers of the gorgeous landscaping.

Through an ornate, green, solid-wood door which is over-sized at 10-feet to add an extra air of luxury, visitors find themselves in a bright entry which is graced by a flood of natural light from the enormous skylight above. Immediately to the left is a large office that is currently serving as a bedroom.

Also to the left is a long hall leading to the two bedrooms, a bathroom and the master suite.

The master suite comes complete with sliding glass doors that offer brilliant lighting and views of the tropical paradise outside, and a fireplace. There also is a standing shower and soaking tub. But the real surprise is in the closet. From the bathroom there is access to a walk-in closet which appears standard until the space is illuminated to reveal another enormous closet beyond. With the round ottoman for seating in the center, this space used to be another bedroom, but has been finished to house a wardrobe fit for a queen.

Back at the entry, walking straight into the home, there is a large, bright seating area flanked by a full bar making entertainment centralized and convenient for guests. This room is graced with a tile fireplace that would bring a romantic feel to any event.

To the right of the entry is a large den with another fireplace. On either side of this stone focal point are two floor-to-ceiling windows allowing in a tremendous amount of light. The ceiling in this room is vaulted, and the windows are angled to match their slope.

Attached to this room is a breakfast nook and access to the kitchen. With plentiful counter space, finished in ceramic tile and with stainless steel appliances, this kitchen is more than sufficient for the any chef. Just off this room is one of the home's three full bathrooms and a laundry.

Proceed through the kitchen, and find yourself in the formal dining area. This room, like all of the rooms in this home having an outside wall, is filled with light from the large windows and glass doors that lead into the backyard. It also is the first room to give a view of the hidden paradise that lies out back.

Built in 1988, the original owners were a tennis trainer and a swimmer, and they built a full-sized tennis court on a post-tension slab that also includes a basketball court, and a 50-foot lap pool to accommodate their needs. But these two features are far from the entire package. Every inch of the 1 1/3 acre property has been maximized, and the entertainment stretches even beyond that.

Beside the pool, there are two large seating areas, two fire pits, a Jacuzzi spa and a built-in barbecue with a cooking station that would allow for entertainment of large groups or intimate gatherings.

Along the length of the grounds, an orchard sits above the backyard with oranges, limes, peaches and plums.

No worries, however, all of this is maintained by the landscapers and pool services that come with the house. With no HOA, or Mello Roos fees, this property is self-contained and low maintenance. And if, the entertainment provided isn't enough, it also includes a family membership to Spanish Hills Golf club with its access to the golf course, gym, saunas, massage therapists and much, much more.

Vacationers interested in the property can negotiate for the majority of furniture in the common areas of the home. It is listed at $1,475,000.

For more information or a private tour, call Jack Tracy at 377-7584 or send e-mail to jacktracy@aol.com.