hepherd’s Knoll in Pebble Beach is a high-gated condominium property presented in a series of unostentatious buildings, each with four floors, all with views of the deepest part of the forest, and in many, the mid-distance bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. The forest begins about 20 yards from the many-windowed condos, its unspoiled, vast natural world protected, assuring the vista forever.

Shepherd’s Knoll is split-level with entries facing its private street. Oversized carport parking abuts each building at street level and from there to the elevator or staircase one crosses a lovely bridge over a miniature canyon running the full length of Shepherd’s Knoll.

The floor of the “canyon” has many healthy Australian ferns the size of trees (not uncommon for the variety, if well-shaded), and camellias with thick ebony-green leaves and vermillion blooms. The entire groundcover has many configurations of plants, some with tiny blooms, others with variegated, frilly or waxy leaves, and climbers cling to the concrete supports and the retaining walls. At the entry level, one is already looking down into that fecund naturalized ravine. One level below that, each condo door opens directly to the ferns, the privacy unbeatable.

It’s important to note that those particular condos are not subterranean. Their huge windows on the other side face the forest like all the condos, these being the actual first floor despite going down one level from the street.

Number 22 Shepherd’s Knoll is on the second floor, a two-bedroom, two-bath that feels much higher inside. Stunning panoramas of the forest tops and the bay command one’s attention immediately, tweaking the brain for a nanosecond since the elevator only ascended one floor from the street and the view feels very much higher up. It’s an impressive effect and, from the street side of the building, it would require an excellent imagination to suspect how different the two sides are, one with the canyon, one with vast views.

In condo 22, the natural beauty seems to slide right on in via an array of cinematic windows, those that open bracketing the huge picture ones in every room except in the kitchen (which must be completely remodeled). Even so, it receives the view and bright daylight from the open dining room where wide sliders onto a square terrace currently have a table and lounge chairs arranged with the rewarding sights. A big square window protects one side of the terrace at 90 percent that’s also the side window in the living room.

In the living room, one discovers a decorative gas fireplace and a room-width wet bar (the Formica surface must go) at the back with an equally-sized ceiling-high mirror to miss nothing of the view. A full wall of windows faces the unimpeded beauty beyond.

Left from the front door is a hallway full of closets, which abound in this condo. At the end, one hides a full – sized set of Maytags. There’s also an entrance to the large guest bath that opens on the other side near the second bedroom. The master is entered via a little hallway. Both rooms have the wall of windows. The guest room feels small with a queen-sized bed. The master, however, has plenty of room and a full bath with tub and shower.

With such a good layout, an odd drawback to the master is a 90 percent window from an adjoining condo that looks easily into the bedroom. Smaller issues also need consideration. Nevertheless, this home is a Pebble Beach find.

Price: $699,000. 22 Shepherd’s Knoll, Pebble Beach. Contact Fran Hirsh , Keller Williams Realty, 601-6604.