When it comes to claims as “the home of the stars”, San Diego may not be top of mind for most people. But this is changing fast. As more and more A-listers discover the diverse wonders of living in San Diego, the roster of celebrities and high net worth individuals who have made the move to the county is growing steadily.
These are some of the most notable personalities in business and entertainment who have recently become San Diego homeowners:
- Bill Gates
Before their divorce in 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates bought a home in the coastal community of Del Mar for a staggering $43 million. The property is a waterfront mansion that’s considered to be one of the most expensive homes in San Diego and most notable contemporary beachfront homes on the West Coast. It boasts 5,800 square feet of living space, six bedrooms, and 3.5 baths. The home has many notable features including a four car garage, a glass pool, a Jacuzzi that overlooks a fire pit, and an exquisite outdoor living area with a spacious deck overlooking the ocean. - Venture capitalist William Rastetter
It’s always news when an A-lister sells their home to another A-lister, and this is what happened when Sen. Mitt Romney sold his La Jolla oceanfront home to venture capitalist and biotech pillar William Rastetter. With a price of $23.5 million, the sale was considered one of the biggest real estate sales in San Diego in 2021. The property includes an 8,153 square foot mansion with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, and has private access to the beach. - Alicia Keys
In 2019, award winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, together with her partner, record producer Swizz Beatz, purchased the iconic Razor House in La Jolla for $21 million. The nearly 11,000 square foot cliffside home overlooking the Pacific Ocean is rumored to be the inspiration for Tony Stark’s waterfront home in the Iron Man movies. Created by architect Wallace E. Cunningham, the home features a razor thin design from where it got its name. Today, it houses the couple’s extensive art collection, ranging from paintings and photographs to vintage furniture.
Other famous personalities who live in San Diego
The three A-listers mentioned above join a roster of famous personalities who call San Diego home. Coming from the world of business, sports, and entertainment, these celebrities made the move to San Diego years ago and remain some of the county’s best known residents.
These celebrities include:
- Tony Hawk
A celebrated skateboarding champion and owner of skateboard company Birdhouse, Tony Hawk is a San Diego native who grew up in Carlsbad. He now resides primarily in his sprawling estate in Encinitas where he has his very own skate park. - Phil Mickelson
Golfing great Phil Mickelson owns not one but several properties in a neighborhood in Rancho Santa Fe, which have reportedly cost him an estimated $70 million. These include a $25 million home with a 4.3 acre lot, a 6.79 acre land parcel also worth $25 million, and a 5-bedroom home spanning 13,000 square feet on approximately 6 acres of land, which he bought in 2005 for $14.1 million. - Zandra Rhodes
Zandra Rhodes is a well-known fashion designer and textile designer who has been in the fashion industry for over 50 years. While she lives mostly in the UK, Rhodes also owns a home in Del Mar and has become an iconic figure in San Diego.
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