Exceptional value in La Costa Ridge! Located within one of Carlsbad's premier gated communities, this spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bath home offers 4,053 square feet and an outstanding opportunity to update and personalize a substantial home in a truly special setting. Priced significantly below recent model-match sales in the community, the value is immediately apparent. Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac on a 10,440-square-foot lot, the property backs directly to the 1,640-acre Rancho La Costa Preserve, offering privacy, peaceful open-space and hillside views, cool coastal breezes, and no homes directly behind.  Inside, the expansive floor plan offers an impressive amount of space and flexibility, with separate living, dining, and family rooms, plus a large central courtyard that brings additional outdoor living into the heart of the home. The formal living room features a fireplace and opens to the courtyard, while the spacious family room connects directly to the kitchen and overlooks the backyard and preserve. The large kitchen features abundant cabinetry and counter space, an oversized center island, breakfast area, walk-in pantry, and additional storage. Also downstairs is a private bedroom with an adjacent full bath and an exceptionally large laundry room with cabinetry, counter space and sink. Upstairs, the huge loft provides nearly 530 square feet of additional living space with plenty of flexibility for a game room, media room, home office or potential fifth bedroom. The expansive primary suite measures approximately 23' x 22' and includes a private covered balcony overlooking the preserve and surrounding hills. The primary bath offers dual vanities, a dedicated getting-ready area, a soaking tub, a separate walk-in shower, and an oversized walk-in closet. Two additional generously sized bedrooms and a shared full bath complete the upper level. The backyard is one of the home's biggest highlights, with a large lawn, mature landscaping and covered patio overlooking the Rancho La Costa Preserve. Its east-facing orientation captures beautiful morning light while the protected open space beyond the property creates a peaceful natural backdrop and a level of privacy that is increasingly difficult to find in coastal North County. La Costa Ridge is a private gated community set along one of Carlsbad's highest ridgelines and surrounded by hundreds of acres of preserved open space. Residents enjoy access to the East Ridgeline Trail for hiking and biking, plus convenient access to nearby shopping and dining, golf, North County beaches, McClellan-Palomar Airport, and major commuter routes. For a buyer willing to make some updates, this is a rare opportunity to create exactly what they want while securing the size, lot, privacy, and location that cannot be easily replicated.