Stunning lagoon-front residence with panoramic south-facing ocean views and editorial-caliber design. Come tour this soulfully curated home pairing loftlike flow with a spectacular primary suite, gourmet kitchen, and Bali-inspired backyard. A truly exceptional property now linked by Rail Trail to Cardiff's village core and an authentic Cardiff lifestyle.

Welcome to 2704 MacKinnon Ranch Road, located in the desirable community of Seaside, a lagoon-front enclave of 44 detached homes, surrounded by lush mature landscaping and a quiet, executive-style atmosphere. MacKinnon Ranch Road itself is quiet residential street, dotted with stately homes, a roundabout, and community pool.

MacKinnon runs north and south, except for the northernmost section, which jogs west, featuring a collection of five homes with south-facing ocean and lagoon views. There is a tranquil vibe to the whole community, but this northern section exudes an extra sense of decompression, like the feeling of coming home.

Approaching the home itself, a richly landscaped private side-entrance lined with wrought iron handrails and matching privacy gate leads to a hearty front door to welcome you in.

DESIGN and DÉCOR
Upon entry, a scene of understated abundance floods the senses, with natural light spilling into loftlike rooms with high ceilings and oversized windows. The design/décor immediately impresses with elegant finishes and cohesive styling. The décor leans more classic than ‘on trend’, but also takes some daring turns, while still falling squarely into the bell curve of what most would consider exceptional taste.

Several architectural refinements have been made, squaring off and opening room transitions, and modernizing stairway railings and other features like mantlepieces, built-ins, alcoves, wet bars — all of which follow the same design-language.

FLOOR PLAN
Many houses have one distinct area that speaks as a ‘soul of the home,’ usually in or around the kitchen.  This home arguably has three. Visitors are immediately greeted with adjacent, well-proportioned, living and dining rooms, with a slider opening to a generous balcony spanning the width of the building. Both rooms feature oversized windows that flood the home with natural light and offer stunning views of lush tropical foliage, upscale homes, and meandering lagoon waterways followed by a bright blue band of the Pacific Ocean. 

The best way to describe these spaces is that they pull you to spend and share time here. The proportions, colors, finishes, and views all conspire towards an ethereal luxury that feels at once both boutique-inspired and comfortable.

Heading deeper into the rear portion of the home, a large and open gourmet kitchen overlooks the second soul of the home, a family room that spills into a transcendent private backyard. The kitchen is so intuitive that even guests know where to access things. Its sprawling central countertops invite occupants from every angle to spread out and enjoy meals, drinks, and conversation. 

With high ceilings and oversized windows the family room’s design is restrained, layered, and highly intentional. A dramatic floor-to-ceiling textured stone fireplace serves as the focal point, balanced by warm wood and downlit floating glass shelving, sculptural accessories, and a curated mix of organic materials. The oversized sectional creates an inviting gathering space, and a dark accent chair adds contrast and visual weight.

Even the powder room reflects a daring sensibility, with a crystal chandelier and dramatic black-on-black damask wall treatment transforming a utilitarian space into a design statement.

Natural light pours through the family room’s expansive windows, reinforcing an airy character and strengthening its connection to the lush outdoor setting beyond.

BALI-INSPIRED BACKYARD
Transitioning through an elegant covered-patio, a completely unexpected setting emerges, with dark tropical hardwood custom fencing, Moroccan-inspired Italian tilework, tropical landscaping, cantilevered parasol umbrellas, wrought iron privacy elements, ambient lighting, built-in grilling area, fire table, and water features. These cozy gathering spaces feel distinctly transcendent and sublime.

Part outdoor living room, part private retreat, these spaces function as a natural extension of the home's interior living areas. The yard also includes a private rear gate to additional outdoor space. Every aspect of this yard, as well as the balconies at the front, have been thoughtfully designed for entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

PRIMARY SUITE
A landing upstairs gracefully leads through updated wrought iron railings to the third soul of the home, a loftlike primary suite that feels straight out of a SOHO art gallery — but with a panoramic ocean view. A modern take on the four-post bed, bookended by dramatic end tables, playful lamps, and pendant lights set a minimalist yet comfortable tone. Designed around a dramatic oversized canvas, the opposing fireplace wall brings a curated, editorial-caliber quality to the space.

Take in spectacular ocean and lagoon views from the bed, fireplace sitting area, or lofty balcony. Enjoy a spa-inspired bath, dramatic three-sided fireplace, and expansive custom walk-in closet, all from a luxurious and functional setting. Thoughtfully designed for everyday living, this suite blends practical living with an upscale comfort that is rare to find.

PRIMARY SUITE BATH
The primary bath feels like a Restoration Hardware spread, come to life. Custom cabinetry, surfaced with expansive countertops, feature dual-zone preparation areas, backed by designer wall coverings and pewter-framed mirrors.  The room is paired with an opposing and contrasting wall covering, sectioned with doorways to facilities and a walk-in closet. 

The furthest end of the bathroom is capped with a spa-like shower, with floor-to-ceiling glass enclosure separating Zen-like tiling, designer fittings, and a leaded glass botanical motif window.

CUSTOM CLOSET
The last doorway, before the shower, leads to a walk-in closet that resembles a small retail boutique. No jealous spouses relegated to lesser hall closets. This is a serious space for serious wardrobes. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors, custom shelving systems, and generous hanging/storage space for clothing and shoes alike.

BEDROOMS
Two additional bedrooms and a full bath are located down the landing. A connecting doorway between the bedrooms adds a layer of optionality, allowing the spaces to function either independently as traditional bedrooms or together as an office extension, nursery, playroom, or retreat.

VIEWS
Panoramic south-facing views stretch across the San Elijo Lagoon to the Pacific Ocean beyond. From both levels of the home, residents enjoy a dynamic visual experience shaped by changing light, coastal weather, wildlife, and one of Southern California's most important ecological preserves. Both upper and lower patios and balconies feature Italian tile detailing, framing majestic views with coastal-elegant architectural relief.

LAGOON
The Lagoon and its miles of scenic walking and biking trails serve as a literal extension of the home’s front yard, creating a unique indoor-outdoor coastal lifestyle. Over a thousand plant and animal species pass through San Elijo, a 979-acre ecological reserve connecting wetland habitats of coastal strand, riparian woodland, and mixed chaparral.

IMPROVEMENTS
Turnkey residence with 20 years of true pride-of-ownership improvements, including:

-          Fully remodeled primary bathroom featuring designer fixtures and lighting, Italian tile, and an expansive walk-in shower.

-          Expanded custom walk-in primary closet with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, custom shelving systems, and generous hanging/storage space.

-          Elegant remodeled primary suite highlighted by a dramatic three-sided glass fireplace and recessed art niche with accent lighting.

-          New floor-to-ceiling semi-sheer designer drapery in the primary bedroom.

-          Stunning natural stone floor-to-ceiling feature wall in the family room featuring accent lighting, recessed television niche, fireplace, glass accents, and sustainable African mahogany shelving.

-          Custom designer lighting throughout the home, all on dimmable switches for elevated ambiance and functionality.

-          High-end luxury wide-plank waterproof flooring throughout the residence.

-          Custom-crafted interior handrails and balcony railings.

-          Updated kitchen, featuring granite countertops and upgraded appliances.

-          USB-integrated electrical outlets and DC-powered smoke detectors throughout the home.

LAUNDRY
The home includes a dedicated laundry room with washer/dryer, sink, and plenty of built-in storage.

GARAGE
A short driveway leads to a spacious 3-car, attached, tandem garage, featuring custom floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls, built-in cabinetry, and overhead storage systems. Lots of room to facilitate work, hobbies, and easy accessibility. 

GUEST PARKING
While the community features a fair amount of open parking for guests, they tend to fill up, especially near the pool.  There are two open parking areas in the north section near the subject property, but they are discreetly located beyond lush vegetation, and therefore seldom fully occupied. 

SEASIDE
Seaside is a lagoon-front enclave of 44 detached homes, surrounded by lush mature landscaping and a quiet, executive-style atmosphere. MacKinnon Ranch Road itself is quiet residential street, dotted with stately homes, a roundabout, and community pool.

Few Cardiff neighborhoods have experienced a greater lifestyle transformation in recent years. Long appreciated for its stunning backdrop, Seaside is now directly connected to Cardiff's vibrant village core by the Rail Trail — a scenic pedestrian and cycling path linking residents to restaurants, coffee shops, beaches, Seaside Market, and some of Southern California's most iconic surf breaks.

RAIL TRAIL
What was once considered a beautiful but somewhat disconnected location has quietly become one of Cardiff's most compelling lifestyle opportunities. 

The recently added, highly acclaimed Rail Trail links San Elijo Lagoon northbound with Cardiff Towne Center, and by extension, Downtown Encinitas, Leucadia, and the Historic Hwy 101, as well as legendary surf breaks at Seaside, Cardiff Reef, and Swami’s. Southbound, Cardiff connects to Cedros Design District at Solana Beach, the County-wide COASTER, and the Intercity Pacific Surfliner, as well as Del Mar Village, Torry Pines Beach, and beyond.

CARDIFF LIFESTYLE
Surfers and beach lovers enjoy a strong connection to the sea, ritualistically shuffling to legendary surf break overlooks.  A quick walk, skate, or bike ride to Town Center leads to gourmet staples and fresh ingredients at Seaside Market, breakfast at Pipes, the freshest VG’s doughnuts, cozy dining at Trattoria Positano or Cicciotti’s, trendy nights out at The Waverly, and shopping at Patagonia or Fowler’s Boutique. 

NORTH COUNTY PASSPORT
Move here and instantly plug into an amazing community with award-winning schools, world-class beaches, great dining, farmers markets, shops, galleries, parks, trails, train station, freeway access, and everything North County has to offer.

SCHOOL
Many folks move to Cardiff in large part because of the school system. Cardiff Elementary (K-2) and Ada Harris School (3-6) are award winning programs that promote rich, supportive learning environments for students to kick off their early years. Oak Crest Middle School is highly regarded. And Cardiff residents have an unusually broad selection of four highly rated High Schools to choose from.  Many exceptional private schools are also located nearby.

HOA Fee: $377/mo