Location: San Clemente, California Price: $55 million This beachfront mansion may appeal to surfers and political junkies alike. “At one point, it was part of the Nixon estate,” said homeowner Marty Colombatto, a former high-tech executive and an avid surfer. The land once belonged to Hamilton Cotton, one of the founding financiers of the city of San Clemente. In 1969, then-President Richard Nixon bought a 26-acre property from Cotton’s widow, which included a Spanish Colonial-style home that he named La Casa Pacifica. It became known as the “Western White House.” Over the years, the land was split into separate lots. In 2001, Colombatto and his wife bought their roughly 2 ½-acre lot and built a sprawling Spanish-style house. “It’s been a great property for family events and get-togethers,” Colombatto said. The property includes 450 feet of beachfront — believed to be California’s largest private stretch — and sits near popular surf breaks. In 2008, Colombatto hosted a 900-person event at the home in support of Kelly Slater’s Surfrider Foundation — featuring a performance by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. More than $350,000 was raised for environmental groups. The Stats
The 12,854-square-foot home has seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and three partial baths. An attached guest casita includes two of the bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. Design Pedigree Designed by architect James Glover, the two-story residence features handmade roof tiles, sweeping archways and striking views of the Pacific Ocean. Amenities The expansive grounds include a 75-foot-long swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen and a courtyard. There’s also a rose garden and an orchard, where apricots, peaches and citrus fruits grow. “Last summer I built this little chicken coop,” Colombatto said, adding that there’s an ample supply of farm-fresh eggs. Sports facilities include separate courts for horseshoes, bocce ball and basketball. Neighborhood Notes The home is situated in the upscale enclave known as Cotton Point Estates. It’s just two doors down from La Casa Pacifica, which now sits on 5 ½ acres. Nixon’s former home hit the market for $75 million in April of last year. With their children grown, the couple is selling the estate because they plan to downsize. “It’s a beautiful home,” Colombatto said. “We’ve enjoyed it for the last 10 years, but it’s pretty big for two people.” Agent: Tim Smith, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage View this listing
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