Hollywood Hills / Sunset Strip

Residents in the Hollywood Hills enjoy close proximity to the famous Sunset Strip, a stretch on Sunset Boulevard filled with renowned restaurants, nightclubs, bars and hotels like Chateau Marmont, The Standard, Mondrian and the newly redone Argyle Hotel now renamed Sunset Tower Hotel.  The boulevard is mesmerizing with edgy billboards one after another, bright lights and legendary rock venues where bands made their break in the ‘60s and ‘70s, like the famed Viper Room, Roxy, Whiskey A Go Go and House of Blues.

The proximity to the studios and other entertainment venues make Hollywood the place to live for people in the entertainment and music business or for those who enjoy the quintessential “Los Angeles” experience.  Furthermore, many residents enjoy being owners of Hollywood history, homes once belonging to the pioneers of the entertainment industry.  Residents cherish privacy, a glamorous lifestyle, the ability to entertain in their homes, views of the city, and the feeling of being tucked away in the hills while being just minutes from the lively city.   Some renowned residential streets include Sunset Plaza Drive, Doheny Drive, and Kings Road.  There are several neighborhoods that together make up “Hollywood,” each offering its own allure.

Bordering Beverly Hills and north of Sunset Boulevard is an exclusive community called the “Bird Streets,” a neighborhood with streets named after birds like Thrasher, Mockingbird, Nightingale and Oriole.  The homes in this neighborhood tend to be expensive as they offer the most explosive views.

Residents who seek a luxurious lifestyle in a full service building with views opt for the prestigious Sierra Towers, a condominium building just above the Strip.  To the east of Sunset Strip off of Laurel Canyon is another coveted area known as Mount Olympus.  Moving east of Mount Olympus above Hollywood Boulevard are bordering neighborhoods called Outpost Estates and Nichols Canyon, offering a more rustic living environment.  Residents relish the serene and tranquil ambience and many enjoy the close proximity to Runyon Canyon Park with its hiking trails, gorgeous views of Los Angeles and the Griffith Observatory.

Moving further east is Beachwood Canyon, a neighborhood framed by the Hollywood sign.  Beachwood offers a relaxed and hip vibe where locals enjoy walking to the small grocery store and coffee shops nestled in the hills yet also are in close proximity to tourist attractions and nightlife along Hollywood Boulevard like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, El Capitan Theatre and the Roosevelt and W Hotels.  Just north of Hollywood Boulevard is the Magic Castle with reservations by invitation only, the picturesque Japanese restaurant Yamashiro, and the world-famous Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre.

Malibu

Malibu, known for its long, wide, white beaches, continual sunshine and casual ambiance, offers twenty-seven glorious miles with something of interest for everyone.  There are hidden coves, tide pools, dramatic ocean views, rocky cliffs and wildflowers in the springtime.

Most prestigious areas of Malibu include the guard-gated communities of the Colony and Serra Retreat, which offer privacy and protection to their high-profile residents.   Robert Redford, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Sally Field and Whoppi Goldberg are only a few of the “celebs” owning homes along the exclusive Malibu Shore.  Other high-end Malibu areas of Broad Beach and Carbon Beach are also home to some of the most favorite luminaries.   If there is one spot in Southern California that might surpass Beverly Hills in the number of movie stars’ homes, it is Malibu.

Wandering through Malibu, you might find Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Pierce Brosnan, Robert De Niro, Sly Stallone, Robert Redford or Steven Spielberg dining at Geoffrey’s, Nobu, Guido’s, Moonshadows or Zooma Sushi.  Or you are sure to meet someone you recognize while shopping at one of the casual and friendly shopping boutiques at The Lumber Yard or Cross Creek Road.

Residents of Malibu include a host of stars who make Malibu their home such as Tom Hanks, Linda Ronstadt, Larry Hagman, Jeff Bridges, Howie Mandell, Cicely Tyson and Barbara Streisand to name but a few.  Other residents see Malibu as an opportunity to own a secondary residence or vacation beach house where they escape from the hectic pace of the city nearby. Still others acknowledge Malibu’s desirability by purchasing properties for investment which  they have leased for extraordinary prices.

When Johnny Carson bought his beach home at Point Dume in 1983 for $10,000,000, it was the most expensive house ever sold in Los Angeles.  It included 24 karat gold fixtures in the bathroom, a waterfall, and 11,000 square feet of living space.  The property was sold in 2007 for $38,000,000. Currently on the market is another home for sale at $75,000,000 while other homes nearby may be on the market for significantly less.

Currently there are more than 30 homes along the ocean for sale between $10,000,000 and $55,000,000 and there have been 65 sales since 2000 with asking prices in excess of $10,000,000.

In the Malibu Hills, properties are available for sale ranging in prices from $10,000,000 to $65,000,000.  There have been 15 estates sold in this area for prices up to $65,000,000 from 2000 until 2009.

Astonishing is the Malibu lease market where properties are available for lease between $20,000 and $60,000 per month.  Close to 30 properties have leased since 2000 for prices ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per month and over 10 have leased from $20,000 to $35,000 per month. There are 3 properties on the land side asking between $25,000 and $65,000 per month while a 15,000 square foot home on 15 acres leased for $35,000 per month in 2006.

Making headlines is a home for lease at a rate of $200,000 per month, over half a million for the summer!  This is for a one-of-a kind Carbon Beach home located on what is known as “Billionaire’s Beach.”  The home features 80 feet of prime beach frontage, an ocean-side pool, expansive decks, sleek modern design and room to park a fleet of cars.

Two other lease options asking a mere $100,000 are available or you can take advantage of staying at one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites for $65,000 per night!

To complete the list of places you must see, visit Pepperdine University, the Malibu Pier or the Adamson House with it colorful early California history

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Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades is nestled just above the Pacific Ocean, bordered by the Santa Monica Mountains, Brentwood, Malibu and Topanga and Santa Monica.  It is a very affluent and primarily residential area with a mixture of mostly large private homes, along with some small and usually older houses, condominiums and apartments.  The quaint town with its shops and restaurants has the feel of many small towns across America, perfect for the predominately young families that reside there.  Many homes offer a view of the ocean or the hills.  Pacific Palisades is known to be one of the safest, cleanest areas in Los Angeles and the schools are some of the best, adding to the town’s growing popularity.  Every 4th of July, the Chamber of Commerce sponsors day-long events which include 5K and 10K runs, a parade down Sunset Boulevard and a fireworks display at Palisades high School football field.  There are 7 parks including Rustic Canyon Park, Temescal Canyon Park and hiking trails and the celebrated Will Rogers State Historic Park and Polo Club.  There are many diverse residential areas of the Pacific Palisades such as the Alphabet Streets, the Bluffs, Castellammare, Huntington Palisades, Marquez Knolls, Palisades Highlands, the Riviera, Rustic Canyon and the Village.  Visit the Getty Villa, the most well-known landmark in the Palisades, the Eames House, Villa Aurora and the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine.  Enjoy the cool and refreshing ocean air, only minutes to the beach.

Bel Air / Holmby Hills

Bel Air is known globally as an affluent community where residents, many of them celebrities, treasure their privacy and a luxurious lifestyle. Just north of Sunset Boulevard, this neighborhood offers gated estates on large lots with private driveways and views of the city.

Some of the prime streets in Bel Air include Bel Air Road, Stone Canyon, Nimes Road, Perugia, Chalon Road, Bellagio Road and Stradella Road. Nestled within Bel Air is the exclusive neighborhood of Holmby Hills, which contains prestigious streets Carolwood, Mapleton, Delfern, Baroda and Faring Road.

The Bel Air community, defined by the “East Gate” and “West Gate” entrances, was established in 1923 by Alphonzo Bell, Senior and is part of what is known as the “Platinum Triangle.” This term refers to three affluent adjoining communities of Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills. Bel Air is bordered by UCLA along Sunset Boulevard and at the heart of the community is the exclusive Bel Air Country Club and the Hotel Bel Air. Elite private schools John Thomas Dye and Harvard Westlake are conveniently located there as well.

Residents of this area are largely high-profile individuals who have paid enormous sums of money to live there, including a recent sale of a mansion that sold for the highest price in the U.S. this year for more than $46,500,000. This was for a 48,000 square foot estate called “Le Belvedere” which was built by the developer of Ritz-Carlton Hotels. The mansion built in 2006 has 19 fireplaces, 10 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and a three-flight elevator. There is a 5,000 bottle wine cellar, tasting room, grand ballroom, commercial kitchen, screening room, gym, Turkish steam bath and game room. The garage can hold 10 to 12 cars and the motor court provides generous outdoor parking. A swan pond, fountains and rose gardens grace the manicured grounds.

Currently on the market in Holmby Hills is the Aaron and Candy Spelling $150,000,000 Manor and Iris Cantor’s “Fleur de Lys” now on the market more than three years asking $125,000,000.

Brentwood

Brentwood is known for its relaxed suburban lifestyle, featuring beautifully landscaped and tree-lined streets surrounding the elite neighborhoods of Brentwood Park, Kenter and Mandeville Canyons and the gated Brentwood Circle. Enjoy jogging or walking on famed San Vicente Boulevard or browsing in the multitude of trendy stores and galleries. Brentwood is host to some of the finest restaurants such as Peppone’s, Vincenti, Peccoino or Tavern. Or you can dine in the relaxed, family-style eateries such as Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Daily Grill or Katsuya. Shop at gourmet Vicente Foods, Whole Foods Markets or delight in the many exotic varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers at the weekly Farmer’s Markets. The Brentwood Country Mart has a charm all its own where generations of families have enjoyed restaurants, market and shops. Brentwood offers local Crestwood Hills and Barrington Parks, fine schools and temperate climate only minutes from Santa Monica and the beach.

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