Gordon and Marian Clemens agree that the biggest of several really big reasons they bought their house was its “Holy cow!” factor: 180-degree views spanning Monterey Bay, surrounding hills, peaks and the cities’ lights with an open ocean backdrop.

The couple’s four-bedroom, three-bathroom home on the Seaside Highlands dunes is about equidistant between the southern-most point of Pacific Grove and the rim of Moss Landing to the north. In between, the bay spoons its curves against the beaches of Monterey, Seaside, Marina and points north.

“The views were first,” Gordon says, “and then the greenbelt next to the house.” An amazing eight acres of bright green generous lawns with broad pathways connecting all parts of the planned community are used as rec trails with benches along the way; there’s also an abundance of play areas for children.

The Clemens owned another house here and Marian says, “We know the 12 architectural designs and liked this one” (“Coral”; 2,484 square feet). The style presents smartly arranged spacious rooms (square footages not available), 10-foot ceilings, many windows including five near the top of the walls of the 20-foot-high space above the long staircase by the foyer and two gas fireplaces. Once the oversized double front doors swing open, however, none of these charms matter– a person’s vision zooms instantly to glimpses of the bay all the way at the other end of the house through windows in the kitchen and the family room.

After collecting him or herself, a visitor sees that the living room also features one of the fireplaces and an adjacent dining room. Through a cut-away, reflecting light beckons down a brief hallway toward the open kitchen contiguous with a particularly delightful room, which can be used as a family room, formal dining or both. The second fireplace is here, facing the view windows and the three-tiered terrace the couple built, adding a European penthouse presence to the property. Marian says, “That’s the place everyone goes first.” The scope of the bay out there is formidable, the terrace ideally shaped for gazing, with access through the kitchen door or French doors in the only first-floor bedroom/studio/office/exercise room (view window too). The room is quite small and somehow a strong contender for best of show. It’s appealingly set at 90 degrees to the family room, the concept intended for flow and friendly interaction inside and out.

All the raves over the home’s views are mightily amplified by the elevation upstairs and by the special placement of windows, particularly in the master bath. Cornered at the level of the tub’s wide surround, they display an extended view of the bay northward to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The fully mirrored door to the walk-in closet shows things not even seen looking directly outside; for a small component, it offers a big effect and is utterly inspired. Two other bedrooms upstairs are small, share a bath and both have nice southern views.

Windows and the views distinguish the house, views that could easily sub for window dressings.

In the large laundry room by the first-floor bath, an unexpected window looks due south over tiled rooftops at the mossy blues of the foothills to Los Padres National Forest undulating beneath the firmament’s dome of shifting light and shadow, mystical and fine. Like the house itself, the view gives one the sense of freedom and comfort.

Price $776,808 4370 Shoreline Court, Seaside Highlands. Contact Pat Matuszewski and team, Keller Williams Realty, 899-1000.