Heartbreaking Tale Behind $20 Million Malibu Ranch With Its Own Petting Zoo

MLS via Realtor.com
A Malibu, CA, home with its very own petting zoo—created by parents to honor their 13-month-old daughter who died from a rare genetic disorder—has hit the market for $20 million.
Ben and Stacey Herman‘s daughter, Aspen, spent much of her short life in the hospital and found comfort in her interactions with therapy dogs and miniature horses.
Aspen died in 2018, and the couple went on to have two more children. In 2023, the family set their sights on finding a larger property. The Hermans landed on the Malibu ranch, which had been damaged in the 2018 Woolsely Fire, and paid $6.65 million for it.
They then set about honoring Aspen by creating the non-profit petting zoo, where children, particularly those with special needs, can interact with kind animals and learn about them, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The animals on the property include a docile zebra, sheep, goats, pigs, mini cows and donkeys, chickens, horses, a zorse (a zebra/horse hybrid), and a zedonk (a zebra/donkey hybrid).
Now, the family is looking for someone new to snap up their lovely abode so they can relocate somewhere more private.

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

Yelp

Yelp

Yelp
The Aspen Hope Ranch soon became one of the most beloved properties in Malibu, hosting special events for families of children with various disabilities and diseases.
Thanks to social media, the petting zoo quickly became a favorite with families in the area, with all proceeds going to supporting children with life-limiting conditions.
Visitors often took to review sites, including Yelp and Trip Advisor, to gush about the petting zoo and praise the parents for creating such a welcoming space.
One person wrote: “It’s a beautiful piece of heaven that gets you out of the city and into the quiet mountains that overlooks the coast. Here you will see and get the opportunity to interact with the most adorable and unique animals, learning about each one,” exclaimed one visitor on Trip Advisor, where the Aspen Hope Ranch has a 5-star rating.
“My experience at Aspen Hope Ranch was truly unforgettable,” wrote a visitor on Yelp, where the ranch also has a 5-star rating. “Thank you to Ben for creating such a magical place. I highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable farm experience.”
While the ranch is up for sale, the animals are not included in the listing. The Hermans revealed they will be taking their animals along with them when they move, and they plan to continue honoring their daughter’s legacy by opening a petting zoo in a more public space.

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Realtor.com


Realtor.com

Realtor.com
The family utopia’s history is fresh and interesting, and explains why, when it was just completed in 2024, it’s currently listed at $20 million.
After buying the property in 2023, Ben Herman oversaw the construction of an eight-bedroom, six-bath, 7,250-square-foot private home on the property, as well as the placement, landscaping, and building of the animal pens, barns, stables, pastures, and even a riding arena.
The main house and its accompanying guest quarters are gracefully modern and architectural in style, warmed up with materials like natural stone, including honed onyx, and white-oak finishes.
Floor-to-ceiling folding doors and sliders are found throughout the home, opening it up to views of the pastures and animals below, and the sea beyond. The views from the primary suite, which includes a fireplace, seating area, and luxurious natural stone bath, are especially intoxicating.
The wide-open, high-ceilinged great room has a comfortable seating area anchored by a modern fireplace and a spacious dining area that opens to a modern kitchen with a marble, waterfall-edged island and steam-lined, honey-oak cabinetry.
Additional amenities include a home theater, saltwater pool and spa with a fire pit, a pickleball court, extensive equestrian facilities, and mature olive groves.

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

Realtor.com
The recent listing on Realtor.com® doesn’t mention the zoo, but describes the estate as “a true haven for equestrian enthusiasts,” that “provides a lifestyle where the rhythms of nature converge with the pinnacle of human ingenuity.”
Listing agent Elizabeth Donovan, an affiliate of the Pacific Palisades office of Coldwell Banker Realty says of the property: “Enveloped by the sweeping contours of the mountains and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Aspen Hope Ranch stands as Malibu’s preeminent equestrian estate. It provides a lifestyle where the rhythms of nature converge with the pinnacle of human ingenuity. This estate is a true haven for equestrian enthusiasts.”