Photo: Million Dollar View: This Skyline Forest home faces the curves of the Monterey Bay.

Cecilia George''s Skyline Forest home has flowers running through it. In the rock garden at the front of the sloping property, drought-tolerant plants pop out of low-water landscaping. Details throughout her garden echo her love of flowers. A hummingbird hovering above flowers is painted on her mailbox, which also serves as a post for spiraling ivy. A decorative birdhouse hanging from a bush near the front door has a three-dimensional metal hummingbird poised in front of it.

Behind the home, the landscaping of the large lot is less-developed, as the view of trees and water takes center stage. Tall pine trees act as a frame for a wide slice of the Monterey Bay below the home. A large flat section of yard, unusual in the hilly area, provides possibilities for children''s games or a picnic area.

Inside, much of the house is oriented towards the bay views. George, a professional photographer, specializes in photographing nature. Framed color photographs of vibrant red tulips, the whitewater breaking on rocks at Point Lobos, and a pair of geese decorate the walls of her home. Windows run along the length of the living room that leads outside to a large deck with a new hot tub. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams create a large living space with multiple areas to sit, play music, or relax with friends. A fireplace centered between built in bookcases offers a cozy spot to read and watch the waves roll in below the house.

"It''s a great entertaining space," says Realtor Shanan Hansan. "The owner used to be a music teacher, and she has space for her piano here."

Admittedly, there are areas of the 2100-square-foot home that could use updating. George has a vision of the upper kitchen cabinets being relocated to create an unobstructed view of the bay while washing dishes. Appliances and cabinetry in the kitchen and 3 1/2 bathrooms could be easily replaced and customized to a new owner''s wishes. A new owner with vision could keep the comfortable floorplan of the house intact during a surface remodel.

"The structure is very well-maintained," Hansan points out. "It''s got a strong foundation. A new roof was just put on a few years ago."

Besides the large living room, there''s an eat-in area of the kitchen adjacent to the bay-facing windows, a family room that looks out into the front garden, and three good-sized upstairs bedrooms. Built-in storage areas throughout the house, including a large storage area outside, keep clutter to a minimum.

Downstairs, next to a two-car garage, a bedroom facing the bay with its own bath and separate entrance could be easily rented out to provide extra income for the new owner.

Besides the tranquility of the water vistas, the house is located in a quiet residential neighborhood with wide streets. And while it feels like country living, the location is only a few minutes away from downtown Monterey.

"It''s not a through street, so there''s hardly any traffic out front," Hansan says. "It''s a very peaceful neighborhood."

Price: $938,000. 801 Dry Creek Rd., Monterey. Contact Shanan Hanson of Century 21 Scenic Bay Properties at 372-2143.