Perched Along A Premier Stretch Of California Coastline, 609 Paseo del Mar a Palos Verdes Estates Villa, Marries Grand Design With Pacific Ocean Splendor
A sign at the entrance of this brilliant estate reads Villa Sul Mare. Its meaning, Villa by the Sea, is fitting. Designed across over half an acre, this is a place where classical grandeur melds with fresh air spaces, all sculpted around the Pacific’s dynamic allure.
Even along Paseo del Mar, arguably one of the nation’s most beautiful coastal streets, 609 Paseo del Mar stands apart. It commands an extraordinary 270 feet of bluff-top frontage, and is one of only two end lots among a small cluster of estates nestled on this gently curving stretch between scenic coastal cliffs.
“This is a very rare location,” explains listing agent Lauren Forbes of the Lauren Forbes Group at Compass. “On this part of the bluff, there are only four lots. Two are end lots—and this is one of them.”
Dramatic by Design
The approach to this nearly 7,600-square-foot sanctuary signals its distinction. An electronic gate opens to reveal dual driveways: a welcoming front drive for guests, and a separate entrance leading to an oversized garage.
“It’s a six-car garage at least,” Lauren Forbes describes. “And, there’s an elevator that opens into the garage that stops on every floor, which is so convenient.”
The design of the house is opulent—yet is rendered even more so by its connection to the endless blue sky and ocean views of its charmed setting. Entering through the main door, visitors encounter a soaring two-story circular foyer framing 609 Paseo del Mar’s crown jewel: three massive windows offering unobstructed Pacific views.
“As you look straight across, there are coved windows, all facing straight out to the ocean—it’s mesmerizing.”
The main level flows seamlessly to another striking feature: a sweeping half-moon deck embracing the seascape.
“You walk through the entryway and a double-sized living room to reach a huge deck that overlooks the ocean,” Lauren Forbes explains.
It’s a majestic scene.
A 360-degree lifestyle
Faithful to the purpose of a villa, interior spaces reflect both high elegance and livability—with niches designed for work, study and socializing. Recent updates have refreshed the property, casting walls in creamy white for better contrast against the blues and greens streaming through expansive windows.
The casual family room features a custom bar with an integrated aquarium and wooden-beamed soaring ceilings. An impressive office with custom wood walls and a pressed metal ceiling provides an intimate retreat alongside the adjacent library for personal collections.
The circular wine room “feels like you’re in Tuscany,” Lauren Forbes notes.”It has tons of storage for wine, and you could also host a dinner there because there’s a table that fits eight people.”
There’s even a comprehensive wellness center with a gymnasium and a separate area for an at-home massage. The estate’s five bedrooms strategically capture coastal views, and the master suite functions almost as a separate residence.
“The primary suite is gigantic,” Lauren Forbes notes. “It has his-and-her custom closets, and a large separate living room with a fireplace.”
The primary bath is a suite unto itself. There are gleaming marble finishes and a circular tub overlooking the Pacific, with an adjacent private patio for al fresco relaxation.
Landscape and location
Like a tucked-away destination somewhere between land and sky, Villa Sul Mare exists in quiet seclusion. The estate enjoys the rare luxury of invisibility—nestled so discreetly behind its gates that Lauren Forbes notes, “There aren’t a lot of passersby. It’s a gated estate, and you can barely see the house from the street.”
Beyond the dramatic half-moon deck, the 0.55-acre grounds reveal an artfully orchestrated landscape where wild beauty transitions gracefully into refined formal spaces. Think of free-flowing coastal vegetation alongside neat box hedges. Ancient trees are sprinkled throughout the grounds, creating natural canopies.
“There’s a lot of old-growth landscaping,” says Lauren Forbes. “It’s beautiful, and it gives additional privacy.” A meandering path weaves through the landscaping, punctuated by poetic nooks. “There are benches every so often, where you can go find a little spot to read a book or just quietly enjoy the passage of time,” she adds.
Each of the property’s countless open-air spaces are venues for contemplating the Pacific’s endless scenes, with spots alternately designed for solitude, and for sharing with others. A dipping pool/oversized spa and classic water features are among the highlights, along with a manicured lawn for playing games.
“There’s a more informal patio located off of the family room, and there’s a built-in barbecue there,” Lauren Forbes explains, revealing how the property offers both large-scale entertaining spaces and quiet gathering zones.
Despite the estate’s haven-like atmosphere, it remains conveniently accessible. Award-winning schools are nearby, as are cafes and shops. Within a leisurely stroll lies the Palos Verdes Beach & Athletic Club. Back home, the sea and sky are never out of sight.
“From all of the west-facing bedrooms,” Lauren Forbes states, “it’s nothing but ocean views as far as the eye can see.”
The panorama includes everything from ocean whitecaps to glittering city lights—a constantly shifting gallery of living art. Villa Sul Mare is a rare spot in the already exclusive market of Palos Verdes Estates.
As Lauren Forbes emphasizes: “From a real estate perspective, especially in luxury, there’s not a property like this that comes on the market very often, especially in this condition.”
Here stands a true villa in the classical sense—a world of its own, where heightened beauty and gracious living exist in grand style.
Lauren Forbes | 310.901.8512 | DRE#01295248
Lauren Forbes Group | Compass
List Price: $11,500,000
Photography by Paul Jonason
