Palms & the Pond

Set in the palm-lined hills of Poway, this estate feels a world away from the everyday. Towering palms shade a pool with a waterfall, a tennis court, and sweeping lawns, while a glass greenhouse and a fish pond add unexpected charm to the grounds. Inside, the living room opens to lush garden views, and one bedroom lined with floor-to-ceiling books makes for an unusually good night's reading. A private gym, sauna, and guesthouse round things out for groups who want both company and space, with San Diego's chaparral hiking trails waiting just beyond the gate.

Home truths:
* The accommodation here is set across the main house, which has four bedrooms, and a one-bedroom guest house that also has a sofa bed. At full occupancy, two people will sleep on this sofa bed.
* One of the bedrooms has a double-over-double bunk bed that can sleep up to four people.
* There's an unfenced pond in the garden here. If you're bringing little ones, they'll need to be supervised at all times.
* You're in the hills of Poway, where a car is essential – local shops, dining, and grocery stores are a short drive away, and San Diego International Airport is around forty minutes from the villa.