Sponsored: Thrive in the lifestyle of your dreams — soar to Eagle Ridge – The Mercury News

The gated community of exceptionally crafted homes tucked along the magnificent landscape at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains offers a rare opportunity to purchase luxurious homes that are brimming with amazing amenities. The value of your real estate dollars drives even further in Eagle Ridge, a hidden gem within 10 minutes of downtown Gilroy and walking distance to the world-renowned annual Garlic Festival at Christmas Hill Park.

Masterfully constructed around a championship 18-hole golf course open to the public and designed by the renowned Johnny Miller, Eagle Ridge offers acres of open space with views in every direction.

About 935 single-family homes stretch out over the beautiful terrain and homeowners, from first-time buyers and families to retirees, embrace the “small-town” ambience and a community that has something for everyone. Neighbors gather at the park for summer concerts and picnics, children walk to the community pool, friends meet on the tennis courts and common interests are shared with others at one of the dozens of clubs that regularly meet. Don’t see a club that interests you? Start one of your own and instantly connect with new friends.

Surrounded by the beauty of the natural oak-studded terrain, majestic mountains and the meandering Uvas Creek, Eagle Ridge launched its first homesites in 1999. Shapell and Standard Pacific were the first homebuilders to offer luxury homes. Since then, other renowned homebuilders have added their custom designs.

Recently there was a unique opportunity to tour eight properties during a special weekend open house. The homes range from just over 3,300 square feet to more than 7,400 square feet and feature from five to six bedrooms with three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half bathrooms. The homes range in price from $1,188,888 to $1,299,000.

About 45 minutes from downtown San Jose and the Monterey Peninsula, Eagle Ridge is also only 30 minutes to Santa Cruz via Hecker Pass Highway (Highway 152 West). Ideally located in the thriving South Valley, Eagle Ridge enjoys a slower pace of life that is still within commuting distance into Silicon Valley.

The Gilroy and South County communities of Morgan Hill and San Martin are home to more than 30 family-owned wineries, many of which have tasting rooms. Download a Wine Trail Map or pick one up at the Gilroy Welcome Center conveniently located just off Highway 101 at the Leavesley exit in the Gilroy Premium Outlets at 8155-6 Arroyo Circle in Building A near Forever 21. The center opens daily at 9:30 a.m.

Intero Realtor Mary Squier was one of the first residents to move to Eagle Ridge in 1999 and markets all her listings with the motto Experience the Eagle Ridge Lifestyle. The lifestyle, she says, captures a small-town feeling that is close to shopping, restaurants, and so many events and activities. The list of club activities is also extensive. Garden, golf, yoga, walking, tennis, pickleball and bocce ball clubs meet regularly as do other social groups for bunco, book clubs, and poker.

“Everyone knows your name” in Gilroy, says Intero Realtor Tricia Nardone who calls the city “a hidden bedroom community with a small-town family feel.” Proximity to the Santa Cruz beaches and award-winning wineries are also appealing to many residents and potential buyers. Debbie Livingston of Today | Sotheby’s International Realty agrees that “it is a lovely community with very friendly neighbors.”

Eagle Ridge’s 24-hour manned gate and 24/7 roving security create a secure and comfortable setting for it residents, says Shilpa Joshi, a Compass Realtor. Reasonable and affordable HOA fees make all the amenities possible and are well managed, she adds.

“Buyers see it (Eagle Ridge) as a safe place to raise a family, walk alone without concern, (and let) children walk to the pool or playground,” adds Linda Pond, Intero Realtor. The appeal of the community, she says, is also the “consistency of construction.” The homes are recent “semi-customized and custom single family with no townhouses or condominiums.”

Eagle Ridge is also zoned for two of Gilroy’s top-performing schools, says Derek Essary of Condo to Castle Properties. Solorsano Middle School is within walking distance to Eagle Ridge and located just outside the main gates. Las Animas Elementary is less than 2.5 miles from Eagle Ridge and both schools feature newer, updated campuses.

The recent open house featured eight custom homes. Several of the homes on the tour come with desirable main-level master or guest suites.

Joshi says her listing at 2346 Club Drive is one in only about 20 homes that have an exclusive front-facing and rear-facing golf course view. The large upgraded open floor plan features two bedrooms including a suite on the main floor and a master suite wing, three bedrooms, and loft on the upper floor.

One of the largest models in Eagle Ridge says Essary is his listing at 7111 Pitlochry Drive with more than 4,100 square feet of open living space on a level, more than quarter-acre lot with a swimming pool.

Only about 5 years old, one of the newest homes is 7247 Pitlochry Drive. Listed by Linda Pond and Kevin Godden, this home lives like a single-level with two main-level master suites. A former model home with many upgraded features, it also includes a vineyard with 130 Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines that annually yield about a dozen cases of wine. “Create your own label and enjoy,” says Pond. “Local wineries will custom crush.”

Another golf course view is available from Nardone’s listing at 1957 St. Andrews Circle. This home has the best of both worlds with views and privacy. Its premium location backs up to the 11th fairway and faces open space.

Some models took advantage of optional and flexible space like the home at 2631 Club Drive  listed by Squier. This home features a casita with a full bathroom and separate entry and ideal for guests or even a home office. A downstairs master suite and golf course view of the 5th fairway make this home particularly appealing.

Squier’s second listing is at 2485 Muirfield Way and features five en suite bedrooms, a spacious master suite, a generous-size bonus room and a four-car tandem garage.

The home at 2816 Roundstone Drive sits on a premium corner lot across from a greenbelt and along the creek. This home, listed by Mary O’Neill of Stevensen & Neal Realtors, also has a separate casita with a full bathroom, outdoor “rooms” and lush backyard landscaped with raised garden beds, multiple fruit trees, and grapevines.

An upstairs balcony at 7676 Hackett Drive is an ideal venue to sit and view the surrounding mountains and scenery. In addition to many upgraded finishes inside, this home, listed by Debbie Livingston, also has a spacious backyard that includes a built-in barbecue and a pergola shaded patio.

Come to Eagle Ridge for a visit and stay for a lifetime.

Contact: Tricia Nardone, DRE# 01273760 1957 St. Andrews Circle

Contact: Shilpa Joshi, DRE# 02008657 2346 Club Drive

Contact: Mary Squier, DRE# 01075271 2485 Muirfield Way

Contact: Mary Squier, DRE# 01075271 2631 Club Drive

Contact: Mary O’Neill, DRE# 1714820 2816 Roundstone Drive

Contact: Derek Essary, DRE# 01988195 7111 Pitlochry Drive

Contact: Linda Pond and Kevin Godden, DRE# 00827031 DRE# 01838690 7247 Pitlochry Drive

Contact: Debra Livingston, DRE# 01928932 7676 Hackett Drive