5 Coastal California Estates with Ocean Views and Hilltop Glamour

Commanding ocean views set the tone from the moment you pass through a grand metal, glass, and wood front door framed in stone. Inside, soaring wood-beamed ceilings, a chandeliered foyer, and arched gallery passages lend a quiet sense of ceremony. The formal dining room includes a butler’s pantry, while the chef’s kitchen pairs stone counters and an oversized island with Wolf appliances and a Subzero suite, plus an ocean-view breakfast nook with pool and coastline vistas. French doors and accordion-style openings connect the Family Room to a loggia with outdoor fireplace and heaters for year-round ease. Upstairs, ocean-view bedrooms offer wood floors and en-suite baths; the primary suite adds a fireplace, wet bar, dual closets, and a jetted tub with an ocean-view shower. Below, a gym and 20-seat theater deepen the at-home experience, while outside, an infinity pool, rose garden, orchard, and fire pit carry the day into evening.

Beyond gates atop the Malibu hills, this estate opens to panoramic ocean and mountain views, reached by a long drive to a broad motor court with parking for 10+ cars, lush gardens, and a stone fountain. Inside, soaring wood-beamed ceilings, French doors, and gallery walls set an inviting tone. The main living room, centered on a monumental fireplace, connects to a formal dining room and a chef’s kitchen with custom cabinetry, walk-in pantry, dual ovens, a Viking range, a Wolf six-burner cooktop, and a large stone-topped island. Multiple wings create privacy, including a primary suite with vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace, and walls of glass framing ocean and pool views. Outdoors, a covered loggia with stone fireplace, alfresco dining, and heaters overlooks lawns, a long rectangular pool and spa, and terraced gardens with citrus groves, koi ponds, and pergolas—made for lingering from day to dusk.

Perched above the iconic Sunset Strip in the prestigious Bird Streets, 8854 Thrasher Avenue is a private Hollywood Hills retreat framed by sweeping jetliner city views and architectural distinction. Designed by Studio Dardo, the residence blends mid-century modern influence with refined contemporary design across expansive living spaces. Soaring gallery walls are thoughtfully composed for a significant art collection, while warm wood and natural stone finishes bring depth and calm to the interiors. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide open to generous terraces, creating an easy indoor-outdoor rhythm suited to both entertaining and everyday life. Set on an over half-acre lot of approximately 26,000+ square feet, the property offers privacy and scale rarely found in this coveted enclave. A custom glass-enclosed garage doubles as a striking architectural centerpiece and collector showcase, setting the tone for life above the city.

Steps from the shoreline, life in Ventura’s Pierpont neighborhood—known locally as “down at the lanes”—unfolds to the rhythm of the coast. Ocean air and easy coastal access set the tone, with Marina Park, Ventura State Beach, Ventura Harbor, and the Pier all just moments away. Inside, exposed wood beam ceilings and natural wood architectural details bring warmth and character, balancing a laid-back beach sensibility with a considered, tactile finish. French doors create an effortless indoor-outdoor flow, extending daily living into the open air. A private primary suite is paired with its own view deck, offering a quiet vantage point to start the morning or wind down at dusk. Nearby Seaward Avenue adds local restaurants, cafés, and neighborhood favorites to the routine, anchoring the home in Ventura’s relaxed beach culture.

Along the water’s edge on Malibu’s Encinal Bluffs, this architectural estate pairs a generous two-acre setting with sweeping panoramas from Point Dume to the Channel Islands. Interiors unfold across over 4,500 square feet, with four spacious bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, plus family, living, and dining areas finished with hardwood floors and high beamed ceilings. The custom kitchen is outfitted with Miele stainless appliances—two ovens, a steam oven, 6-burner ceramic cooktop, gas wok, coffee maker with cup warmer—alongside a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and wine cooler. Upstairs, an entire level is devoted to the primary suite, complete with dressing rooms and a private ocean-view terrace; the bath adds a steam and rain shower, double vanity, and a large tub positioned for sunset views. A beachfront cabana with bi-folding doors and private steps to one of Malibu’s finest beaches complete the daily ritual.