The side roads leading off Highway 101 just south of Salinas have little car traffic. Greenhouses line one side of Encinal Road, while on the other, large farms spread out under the bluish Gabilan mountains.

Sprinklers form arcs of water over brown fields raked with rows of lettuce. Hawaiian orchids are nurtured in hot houses; grapes are tended on small vineyards.

"A lot of people from Salinas don''t know about this address," says Realtor Gerry Bennett.

After 17 years of living in the 3,600 square-foot main house on the property, the Langkamps are ready to downsize.

"At our age, we are looking for a little less upkeep," Gloria says. But it''s been the perfect place to raise a family. "We could let them run around outside and feel like they were safe. That''s so unusual today."

Gloria also enjoyed having space to spread out inside. "It''s probably been the most comfortable house for a family," she says. "It''s not congested--everyone has their own bedroom and space to get along. You''re not under everyone''s feet."

The scale of the two-story home is oversized: the kitchen is about the size of a Monterey apartment. The master bedroom--one of four bedrooms--has big closets and a big bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. Off the kitchen is an office, a formal living room, and then, through French doors, the 800 square-foot great room that the Langkamps added to the house, complete with double skylights and window seats.

A tiled pathway separates the two sides of the room, which the Langkamps designed to fulfill multiple functions.

"You can have a game table area in one half, and a seating area in the other," Gloria suggests.

Outdoor space includes a large patio off the great room for barbecuing, with views of Mt. Toro. The Langkamps took advantage by hosting frequent outdoor get-togethers with friends in the warm climate.

"The fog line stops just before us," Gloria says. "It''s a little sunbelt here." Past the main house is also a smaller, three-bedroom, two-bath modular home which the Langkamps rent out (for $1,050 a month). There''s also an enormous 5,000 square-foot shop with three bays, sheltering numerous work trucks and farm equipment.

Finally, there''s a horse stable and a little vegetable garden. "I had corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, celery, peas, beans, radishes, lettuce," she says. "I kept it enclosed to protect it from the deer."

Deer, owls, wild pigs and wild turkeys roam amongst the sycamores, oaks, and pines on the property.

Gloria and her daughter took advantage of the small stable and kept an Arabian horse to ride in the yellow hills behind the house or in the enclosed outdoor arena. The parcel, which is unusually level for the area, also includes a special bonus: water, lots of it.

"With the agricultural well, there''s a huge supply of water," says Bennett. "You could do almost anything with the property." Possibilities range from adding a swimming pool, setting up greenhouses, to more farming.

Another rare feature of the property is that the zoning allows for light manufacturing. Prior to the Langkamps, golf clubs were made on site. Before that, small airplanes.

In fact, the property includes a deeded airstrip, though not currently maintained. In the past, Craig, a pilot, enjoyed living in a "fly-in" community. With 360-degree views of the mountains and only a few neighbors past their home, the Langkamps have cherished being immersed in nature while only 10 minutes from downtown Salinas.

Gloria looks a little sad when thinking of leaving. "You don''t have a lot of traffic and noise here," she says. "I guess you feel like there''s room to live."

Price: $1,295,000. 27000 Encinal Road, Salinas. Contact: Gerry Bennett of ERA Steinbeck Real Estate at (831) 754-2911.