Up for grabs at $22.95 million is a sprawling 1,225-acre ranch 7 miles northeast of San Juan Capistrano.
The property belongs to Herbalife co-founder Dick Marconi and has its own 51-acre animal preserve. Its exotic inhabitants include a giraffe, a dozen zebras and a “shy” kudu — but wait, there’s more to do and see there.
Peer into the night sky from the private observatory or admire the bevy of Renaissance and Florentine sculptures and Chinese terracotta soldiers spread across the grounds, including the pool area of the single-story 5,048-square-foot Tuscan-style villa.
The luxury residence has two primary suites, a gym, and a wine tasting and cigar room with temperature-controlled storage and a smoke ventilation system behind doors salvaged from Hearst Castle.
Pool goers can access the full outdoor kitchen, three private bathroom stalls and showers.
A chapel next to the villa houses a replica of “Pietà,” Michaelangelo’s sculpture of Mary cradling a lifeless Jesus. According to the listing, the same artisans repaired the original at St. Peter’s Basilica after a hammer-wielding attacker severely damaged it in 1972 produced the 10,000-pound statue. It’s available for purchase separately.
Likewise, art lovers can display their collection in the 2,175-square-foot art gallery or create their own works in the light-filled 2,000-square-foot studio.
Elsewhere on the grounds is a complete equestrian center with a four-stall barn and a riding ring, a 2-acre lake stocked with trout and catfish and shooting ranges for rifle and pistol.
A two-story guest house, helicopter pad and aviary add to the offerings.
There’s an Asian garden, garden walk around the lake and lemon and olive groves.
Jody Neal of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties represents the seller, identified in property records as Marconi. Neal told the Wall Street Journal that the house and guesthouse were already on the property when Marconi bought what was only the first 70 acres.
Property records show Marconi bought the first 70 acres in May 1994 for $1.2 million. Over time, he expanded the property with land that intersects Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Marconi, 87, is the co-founder of the nutritional supplement company Herbalife, a car enthusiast who founded the Marconi Automotive Museum and Foundation for Kids in Tustin and a studio artist.