Description California in Watercolour: Bradley

Perched on a hillside above Lake Nacimiento, this four-storey lakefront house is built around the water in every sense. The private dock – the last before open water – comes with a diving board, protected swimming area, and stadium seating, while fishing for bass and catfish is on offer year-round. Step back inside and the view follows you up through every level, from the lakeview dining terrace off the living area to the top-floor entertainment room with its floor-to-ceiling windows and bar. When you want a change of scene, Paso Robles Wine Country is about fifty-three minutes by car.

Home truths:
* The home spans four storeys, so you'll be using the stairs a lot – handy for getting between the lower-level dock and jacuzzi and the upper living areas, but worth bearing in mind if anyone in your group has mobility considerations.
* Mobile signal here is patchy, so don't rely on your phone for data or calls. Your Starlink wi-fi connection more than compensates indoors, but plan accordingly if you're heading out on the lake.
* The community limits you to two cars plus one watercraft trailer per stay. If your group is arriving in more vehicles, additional parking is available just outside the gated community.
* If you're planning to bring your own boat, it must not have been in a mussel-infested lake, river, or ocean in the past thirty days – if it has, it will need to quarantine before launching. Your host can talk you through the process when you book.