At the top of Los Laureles Grade between Carmel Valley and Highway 68, a side road leads down to a sunny tucked-away neighborhood, appropriately named Hidden Hills. It’s the kind of neighborhood that seems to call out for sprawling parties, kids riding on bikes, afternoons spent on large decks contemplating gardening projects, and basic chilling out. The weather’s great, the surrounding mountains are pretty, and the lots are spacious.

“It’s got that beautiful Carmel Valley weather, warm and sunny,” Realtor Sharon Gedryn says. “It’s up there high enough so there’s not a lot of fog.”

Fifteen years ago, on Hidden Hills’ tree-lined Jeanette Road, builder Steve Shook built his dream house on a knoll. He wasn’t satisfied. Several months ago, he completed an extensive remodel of the 4,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home, this time incorporating such luxuries as a home theater and a 500-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar.

The home is accessed by a gently sloping uphill drive and sits on a fully-landscaped acre, including a large fenced rear yard with a barbecue area, many trees, an enormous lawn, and sprinkler and drip irrigation system.

“There’s plenty of room for a pool and still loads more room,” Gedryn says.

Windows and glass doors, like the ones flanking the massive stone fireplace in the living room, allow easy access to the private lot and let in lots of light to bounce off of the home’s many glossy and natural surfaces. Hardwood floors are oak inlaid with walnut patterns.

“The kitchen is very expensive,” Gedryn says. It looks it. A big kitchen island provides a work station and a prep sink. Gleaming stainless-steel professional appliances—a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range, Dacor ovens—shine next to the custom wood cabinetry and granite countertops. A large sitting area in the kitchen provides visitors with a place to chat with the cook; noshing can happen at the kitchen bar seating, while a huge stand-alone bar provides a food and beverage serving station between the kitchen and dining room.

“It’s lovely for entertaining,” Gedryn says. “There’s the big open kitchen, and the easy access from everywhere to go outside.”

Features like vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, custom lighting and interesting niches add elegance to the home. The formal entry area is flanked on the outside by stone pillars that complement the stone retaining walls in front of the home. Large windows surround the front door, which is also set with glass.

“It’s a really lovely home of wood and stone,” Gedryn says.

The master suite is generously sized, allows for mountain views, and has a private stone deck, a fireplace, and a bathroom with a deep soaking tub standing on silver claw feet.

The home is in the well-respected Washington Union School District. And if three bedrooms are not enough, there are two bedroom-sized offices, plus a bonus room. Car buffs have two separate garages to choose from, with enough space to store three vehicles.

And if somehow the wonders of home entertainment cease to thrill, a trip down the grade and Carmel Valley Road leads to Garland Ranch for hiking and horseback riding, while a trip in the opposite direction towards Highway 68 leads to Toro Park for some mountain biking opportunities.

“It’s really well located between Carmel Valley, Monterey, Carmel and Salinas,” Gedryn says. “You can get to any one easily.”

Price: $2,495,000. 26353 Jeanette Rd., Carmel Valley. Contact Sharon Gedryn, Keller Williams Realty, 372-8153.