See 145-foot pool slide anchoring Sacramento-area home with lush resort vibe
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- El Dorado Hills estate listed at $3.48M features a 145-foot enclosed water slide.
- 8,100-square-foot residence offers five bedrooms, seven baths and a lower-level theater.
- Two-acre site with lagoon pool, fountains, RV parking and adjoining 1-acre lot.
For a living, Dan Parkes creates awesome aquatic centers and resort amenities across California and Hawaii. So it’s little wonder that the founder and CEO of Western Water Features would evoke the magic — and magnetic pull — of water at his own family estate northeast of Sacramento.
Listed at $3.48 million by Maura Tierney of Compass, the remarkable property in El Dorado Hills openly reflects the passions and priorities of its owner, designer and builder.
“The property has been a true family retreat and gathering place,” Parkes said in an email to The Sacramento Bee via Compass. “One of its most treasured features is the creek, which over time has developed into a thriving ecosystem of its own. The children spent countless afternoons boogie boarding in the water, while the family enjoyed watching a pair of ducks return each year, often with ducklings, along with the occasional visit from otters and other wildlife.”
The resort-style backyard — anchored by the enormous, enclosed waterslide that is nearly half a football field long — became a destination in itself, he said.
“A 145-foot slide designed with the same care and creativity found in commercial water park projects quickly earned a reputation as a party magnet, drawing friends and neighborhood kids and filling the home with energy, laughter and shared memories,” Parkes said.
Place and purpose
A sense of place and purpose runs through the residence at 2471 Loch Way, set on two wooded acres in the sought-after Highland Hills community.
A winding driveway — protected by a remote-controlled private gate — leads past stone patios and mature oaks to a grand 8,100-square-foot home. Inside, the design dials up comfort and luxury.
The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom main house is richly appointed with limestone and hickory floors, 150-year-old reclaimed hardwood beams and hand-finished molding. The gourmet kitchen boasts luminous Carrara marble and a breakfast nook that drinks up radiant morning light. Formal rooms are balanced by intimate spaces: a library, a home office, a craft room and cozy nooks for reading or relaxing.
An inspired floor plan distinguishes private spaces from shared ones. The primary suite is a true retreat, featuring a fireplace, a large sitting area and a balcony with views over the creek. Its rare luxury is dual spa-style baths and walk-in closets, giving each occupant privacy and tranquility.
The residence has two additional en suite bedrooms and a set of bedrooms connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom.
Separate guest house
A separate casita, complete with bedroom, bath and kitchenette overflows with guesthouse potential.
And then there’s the lower-level — where fun meets function in a sprawling basement.
There, a 10-seat theater with a 10-foot screen is great for movie nights, and a game room anchors hours of entertainment — whether playing pool, video games or board games is on the agenda. Storage and utility rooms abound, including two laundry setups, a large home gym and an abundance of built-ins throughout the property for ultimate everyday ease.
Outdoors, the mood shifts to resort-style living.
A Pebble Tec lagoon pool and not one, but two spa features are crowned by the showstopper: a 145-foot enclosed water slide, built with the innovation Parkes is known for. The backyard is expansive but intricately designed, with water features and fountains at every turn, framed by a wisteria-draped pergola, stone patios and an outdoor fireplace designed for both intimate dinners and spirited large-scale entertaining.
Lush, serene setting
“What I love about this property is its incredibly lush and serene setting, which unveils itself to you as the private entrance gate invites you in,” Tierney, the listing agent, said in a statement.
“You immediately notice the emphasis on water in nature. . .starting with the stunning creek that encompasses the back half of the property; more than a half dozen fountains; incredible pool; and of course the waterslide that meanders ... from the top of the property into the pool. Kids — and grown-up kids, too — can’t get enough of it in the summertime.”
Parking and practicality round out the offering: a four-car climate-controlled garage features epoxy floors, built-in cabinetry, a Tesla charger, commercial-grade sink, refrigerator and freezer. There’s ample parking for RVs and boats. The property even includes an adjoining one-acre lot, where expansion opportunities such as a sport court or vineyard can be created in the future.
