A rancho grande goes upscale in Tarzana

Rancho Caritina, once part of a working ranch on 30 acres, now sits on one flat acre in Tarzana, its 1902 main house, guest house and office restored and updated over the years.

The gated estate, which has a tennis court, pool and horse barn, has been owned for eight years by actress Jenilee Harrison and her chiropractor husband, Bruce Oppenheim. They nearly doubled the size of the living area, completing a $1.1-million renovation in late 1998.

About this house: The house was originally a ranch hand and foreman’s quarters. It is now California ranch in style with hand-carved woodwork reminiscent of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. A wine cellar was built in what was the root cellar, and a 200-year-old church door was added.

Asking price: $2.9 million

Size: The main house has four bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms and three fireplaces in 5,500 square feet; a guest unit has two bedrooms and two bathrooms in about 1,500 square feet, and a detached office, which could be a second guest unit, has a bathroom and a kitchenette in about 700 square feet.

Features: Horse facilities include a barn and turn-out with misters, wash rack and tack room. The home also has a henhouse, kennel, three-car garage and workroom. The grounds have fruit trees and a rose garden.

There is also a tennis pavilion with a bar, refrigerator and sink. Except for the two-bedroom guest unit over the garage, the home is single-story.

Where: Tarzana

Listing agent: Robert “Lee” Walters of Leland Properties, Studio City, (818) 769-5680.