5 California Luxury Homes from Rancho Mirage to Santa Monica

From its elevated corner-lot setting within the gates of St. Augustine, this beautifully remodeled residence in Rancho Mirage frames expansive mountain views and a calm sense of arrival through a private courtyard entry. Inside, high ceilings, architectural arches, stackstone accents, and updated lighting and electrical create a refined backdrop for daily life. A welcoming living room with fireplace draws your eye straight to the pool and spa, while the spacious great room—also anchored by a fireplace—opens to a gourmet kitchen with island and updated appliances. A wet bar links the main living areas, making entertaining feel effortless. The primary suite reads as a true retreat, with a custom built-in wall unit and a remodeled bath featuring a roll-in shower. Two guest suites and a flexible art-studio space add versatility, while owned solar and a 3-car garage round out the experience. Outdoors, turf and curated landscaping keep weekends open for lingering by the pool and spa.

On a quiet, wide street in Los Angeles, this beautifully renovated Hacienda-style residence pairs timeless character with thoughtful, contemporary updates. A stone path leads through a manicured, drought-resistant front yard detailed with lava rock landscaping, water-wise plantings, and a drip irrigation system, setting a composed tone from the start. Beyond, an inviting front courtyard blooms with roses—an easy daily retreat for morning coffee or an evening pause. Inside, the spacious living room is anchored by a large bay window and original gleaming hardwood floors, while crown moldings and recessed lighting add a refined finish. A cozy fireplace with gas logs brings warmth and focus. Down the hall, decorative panel molding and wainscoting create a gallery-like backdrop, ready to frame art and moments alike.

From its elevated setting in Simi Valley’s Indian Hills Estates, this residence is designed around everyday ease. A wide, brick-lined driveway leads to double entry doors and a marble-floored foyer topped by soaring vaulted ceilings. Oversized windows bring in abundant natural light, lending the interior a calm warmth throughout. The formal living room centers on a white gas fireplace and opens to the backyard through a slider, while a chandelier-lit dining room continues the flow for effortless gatherings. A family room with backyard access adds flexibility, and a huge primary suite offers welcome separation when the day winds down. Three fireplaces anchor the home’s most lived-in spaces. Outside, a pool and spa frame a backyard meant for real outdoor living, with the added practicality of a 3-car garage and no HOA.

Set on 5.12 acres in Temecula’s De Luz area, this modern farmhouse draws subtle influence from a California ranch and turns the site’s natural hillside topography into what the listing calls a “privacy fortress.” The result is a sanctuary with a lush backdrop and a sense of permanent seclusion, balanced by beautifully developed, flat living spaces arranged around the home for easy, everyday use. Practical upgrades are thoughtfully integrated, including a paid-in-full, high-efficiency solar system designed to ease utility costs and a whole-house reverse osmosis system for pristine water quality. For active afternoons, a professional-grade sport court is ready for pickleball or basketball, while a wrap-around porch extends daily life outdoors. Zoned R-A-5, the property also offers designated ADU potential—ideal for a detached guest house, casita, or rental unit. Here, quiet feels intentional.

Steps from the shoreline on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, this two-story townhouse in the Waverly building pairs beachside ease with thoughtful design by Marmol Radziner. Set on the first floor, the residence is filled with natural light and finished with hardwood floors, a main-floor bedroom, and a great room scaled for gatherings—complete with two-story ceilings. The open gourmet kitchen is streamlined and tactile, featuring Oak cabinets, Quartzite countertops, and Thermador appliances. Upstairs, the primary suite is generously proportioned, with a large walk-in closet and a spa-like bath finished in Quartzite, plus a tile-accented shower and soaking tub. Practical touches include an in-unit washer and dryer, two indoor side-by-side parking spaces (one equipped for EV charging), and owner’s storage. Building amenities range from a fitness center and 24-hour concierge to a pet spa and lounge with full kitchen, BBQ seating, and ocean views.