San Clemente Beach House

[BajaMike]

We are selling our San Clemente beach house that we have had for 40 years. On the bluffs above Calafia State Beach.

** 3820 Vista Blanca in San Clemente **

 

[JB in so cal]

Damn! Nice place!

 

[riverroyal]

Seems like a fair price. Only so many homes on the beach in SoCal.
until it sells can I rent it for... let’s say 300 a month?

 

[KevinR]

GLWTS

 

[Looking Glass]

When you compare this Beautiful view and property it s sure difficult to believe that there are houses in Havasu bringing the same $.

 

[cofooter]

Damn, seems like Paradise, what are you doing to top this?

 

[DWC]

That’s no joke Beautiful place

 

[JDKRXW]

Wow! Beautiful.
Hope you're dead sure about selling. They don't make places like this anymore.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Man that is nice! How often does the train go by?

 

[BajaMike]

Man that is nice! How often does the train go by?

thats funny....we always liked the trains but some new owners complained about. They come three or four times a day, very noisy and long freight trains at night.

Some renters have complained about “the noise of the surf when it’s big”. I love that noise.

 

[BajaMike]

My dad and I built this 40 years ago. 12 units and we kept the penthouse. The units sold for $70k back then.

since my mom died, I have 50 % and my sister has 50%. I don’t want to own anything with her. Therefore we sell.
We have a $2 million offer after 3 days on the MLS.

 

[RiverDave]

When you compare this Beautiful view and property it s sure difficult to believe that there are houses in Havasu bringing the same $.

2 million in Havasu would be a monster sized house

 

[Activated]

Wow...

 

[AZmike]

thats funny....we always liked the trains but some new owners complained about. They come three or four times a day, very noisy and long freight trains at night.

Some renters have complained about “the noise of the surf when it’s big”. I love that noise.

People will bitch about anything everything these days! GLWTS!

 

[BajaMike]

People will bitch about anything everything these days! GLWTS!

as a former surfer, I always loved the storms and big waves crashing on the beach.
“Loud waves. We’re getting up early.

 

[BajaMike]

2 million in Havasu would be a monster sized house

good idea. I’m getting out of Comunistcalif.

 

[Kachina26]

thats funny....we always liked the trains but some new owners complained about. They come three or four times a day, very noisy and long freight trains at night.

Some renters have complained about “the noise of the surf when it’s big”. I love that noise.

Shoot, those are short trains. Nice place for sure.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

thats funny....we always liked the trains but some new owners complained about. They come three or four times a day, very noisy and long freight trains at night.

Some renters have complained about “the noise of the surf when it’s big”. I love that noise.

Man, the sound of the surf as I go to sleep is the pinnacle for me. I never sleep better. Trains at night would be rough.

Good luck with the sale!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

When you compare this Beautiful view and property it s sure difficult to believe that there are houses in Havasu bringing the same $.

Huh? And the $2M compound in Havasu would cost $15M (or more) if it were on the coast of South OC.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

My dad and I built this 40 years ago. 12 units and we kept the penthouse. The units sold for $70k back then.

since my mom died, I have 50 % and my sister has 50%. I don’t want to own anything with her. Therefore we sell.
We have a $2 million offer after 3 days on the MLS.

Wow the place looks amazing, and what a story. Was this like a weekend place for you and your family or did someone live there full time?

The price appreciation on the coast is crazy. 40 years ago my 3/2 house in South OC was $78k. It is worth over $700k today.

The new owner is gonna pay over $20k/year just in property tax LOL.

 

[sprintcvx]

What a cool place. Good luck with the sale.

 

[Heylam]

as a former surfer, I always loved the storms and big waves crashing on the beach.
“Loud waves. We’re getting up early.

No such thing as a former surfer. You’re a surfer for life, even when your days in the water are over.

 

[E4L]

Nice place.


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[franky]

When you compare this Beautiful view and property it s sure difficult to believe that there are houses in Havasu bringing the same $.

Very beautiful location but you are comparing Apples and Oranges........5,000 sq ft 4 bdrm 6 bath with 3000 sq ft garage, massive backyard with pool on 3/4 acre....

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have lived in AZ for 30 years but still rent a place in San Clemente 2-3 weeks a year... Just got back from a week vacation in SC last week! It has to be a tough choice to sell it, it looks amazing. They just opened up Goodies a week and a half ago, so the triangle is almost back in action!

 

[Havasu Surfer]

Wow the place looks amazing, and what a story. Was this like a weekend place for you and your family or did someone live there full time?

The price appreciation on the coast is crazy. 40 years ago my 3/2 house in South OC was $78k. It is worth over $700k today.

The new owner is gonna pay over $20k/year just in property tax LOL.

And I believe that’s Newscums/Gruesoms plan to pay for the charade when we get the fuck out


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[Havasu Surfer]

From the steps down how close is the break in the fence or tunnel under tracks? RDP member price?


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[stephenkatsea]

I lived in SC in the 70's. You could hear the seals barking down on the rocks at night. We've now lived in LHC for 7 years. Today, ALL things considered, I'll definitely take Havasu over San Clemente. But, that's just me. Others may not feel the same.

 

[Times Like These]

What’s the hoa


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[Deckin Around]

can you cross the tracks there or how far do you have to walk to get to an access point ?

 

[BajaMike]

Wow the place looks amazing, and what a story. Was this like a weekend place for you and your family or did someone live there full time?

The price appreciation on the coast is crazy. 40 years ago my 3/2 house in South OC was $78k. It is worth over $700k today.

The new owner is gonna pay over $20k/year just in property tax LOL.

My mom and dad had a place in Palm Desert and they would usually spend the summers and holidays at the San Clemente place. And my sister and I would usually spend vacations there.

The buyer is going to have huge property taxes. I think the taxes now are about $2900 a year.

 

[BajaMike]

can you cross the tracks there or how far do you have to walk to get to an access point ?

We have a private, gated stairway to the beach (pre Coastal Commission). We can cross the tracks right in front of our building.

 

[BajaMike]

What’s the hoa


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Current HOA fees are $350 a month.

 

[BajaMike]

I lived in SC in the 70's. You could hear the seals barking down on the rocks at night. We've now lived in LHC for 7 years. Today, ALL things considered, I'll definitely take Havasu over San Clemente. But, that's just me. Others may not feel the same.

We can hear the seals barking, from out at Seal Rock.

 

[BajaMike]

From the steps down how close is the break in the fence or tunnel under tracks? RDP member price?


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There is no tunnel or fence, at the bottom of our stair it’s about 100 feet to the sand, we just walk over the tracks.

 

[BajaMike]

RDP member price?


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We listed it for $1,999,000 and we already have an offer at $2,000,000 from a very qualified buyer.

 

[BajaMike]

No such thing as a former surfer. You’re a surfer for life, even when your days in the water are over.

I mostly bodysurf now. Great body surfing right in front of our place.

 

[BajaMike]

The fence stops about 50 feet north of our stairway.

 

[Heylam]

Nice view of Cottons Point.

 

[Taboma]

Nice view of Cottons Point.

All the summer of 69', worked 7 days a week, 12 -14 hours a day on Casa Pacifica as an electrical apprentice with security clearance to work the entire grounds inside and outside the house.
Many workers could only work the exterior. Then on the secret service R&R center between the point and Trestles. Prior to Nixon buying the place we'd done some work for the Cotton sisters as well. Amazing place and man did I put some OT $$ away that summer.

 

[BajaMike]

All the summer of 69', worked 7 days a week, 12 -14 hours a day on Casa Pacifica as an electrical apprentice with security clearance to work the entire grounds inside and outside the house.
Many workers could only work the exterior. Then on the secret service R&R center between the point and Trestles. Prior to Nixon buying the place we'd done some work for the Cotton sisters as well. Amazing place and man did I put some OT $$ away that summer.

wow, cool job. I would love to see inside that place.

 

[Taboma]

wow, cool job. I would love to see inside that place.

Remodel cost ole Dick a few coins, but the number of line items craftily moved to the US Taxpayers side of the scope " In the name of security" was staggering.

Front door entered into a covered walkway that surrounded a huge rectangular inner courtyard. In many cases, to walk from one room to another you used this walkway.
Exterior and perimeter security was very extensive, yet most not visible to the untrained eye. They had some amazing cameras for the day. The guys monitoring the cameras really got an eyeful during the summer months thanks to the beach bunnies frolicking on the sand below. Those cameras, which included IR for night, could read their swimsuit labels from wayyyyy up on the cliff. Yet mobile enough to target and get any ID markings off of any aircraft that strayed over or even close to the restricted area.

Before Nixon even moved in, there was a battle raging between him and Surfer Magazine's John Severson. I know the Secret Service was very careful about at least 'making a show' of not violating Severson's privacy, and all contractors were advised to avoid irritating them, like checking out his place with binoculars.
Secret Service people were a hoot once everybody got more comfortable with each other.

Although the night we threw the switch to test and aim the huge beach illumination flood light arrays, holy shit did that create a panic from both the Secret Service and freaked out families walking the beach that warm summer night.
Secret Service freaked because they didn't want bad press from the neighbors for harassing them and the poor people freaked because suddenly they were lit up like on a football field, and all stared up like deer caught in the headlights. But the kicker was, some contractor witnessing the test yelling "Freeze, Don't Anybody Move"
We all thought it was funny, roaring with laughter at the shocked expression from the beach goers, meanwhile, Secret Service agents were diving into bushes in a futile attempt to achieve deniability.

We even had a Johnny Appleseed of sorts on the project. He worked for the HVAC contractor, real stoner, brought in bags of pot seeds and during breaks enjoyed walking the vast rose gardens and landscaping, sowing seeds.

Fun Project for sure.

 

[Wedgy]

We lived in SC, mid 60's. Nothing East of the 5. We lived North of the Pier. West, down to the water, blocks of no houses, stepping down to the ocean. Kid paradise of Surf and Sand.

 

[sirbob]

I have lived in AZ for 30 years but still rent a place in San Clemente 2-3 weeks a year... Just got back from a week vacation in SC last week! It has to be a tough choice to sell it, it looks amazing. They just opened up Goodies a week and a half ago, so the triangle is almost back in action!

You just missed the reopening of the old Dukes - now Daily’s sport bar.

BTW the locals call that area the quad now since JDs opened.

 

[sirbob]

Remodel cost ole Dick a few coins, but the number of line items craftily moved to the US Taxpayers side of the scope " In the name of security" was staggering.

Front door entered into a covered walkway that surrounded a huge rectangular inner courtyard. In many cases, to walk from one room to another you used this walkway.
Exterior and perimeter security was very extensive, yet most not visible to the untrained eye. They had some amazing cameras for the day. The guys monitoring the cameras really got an eyeful during the summer months thanks to the beach bunnies frolicking on the sand below. Those cameras, which included IR for night, could read their swimsuit labels from wayyyyy up on the cliff. Yet mobile enough to target and get any ID markings off of any aircraft that strayed over or even close to the restricted area.

Before Nixon even moved in, there was a battle raging between him and Surfer Magazine's John Severson. I know the Secret Service was very careful about at least 'making a show' of not violating Severson's privacy, and all contractors were advised to avoid irritating them, like checking out his place with binoculars.
Secret Service people were a hoot once everybody got more comfortable with each other.

Although the night we threw the switch to test and aim the huge beach illumination flood light arrays, holy shit did that create a panic from both the Secret Service and freaked out families walking the beach that warm summer night.
Secret Service freaked because they didn't want bad press from the neighbors for harassing them and the poor people freaked because suddenly they were lit up like on a football field, and all stared up like deer caught in the headlights. But the kicker was, some contractor witnessing the test yelling "Freeze, Don't Anybody Move"
We all thought it was funny, roaring with laughter at the shocked expression from the beach goers, meanwhile, Secret Service agents were diving into bushes in a futile attempt to achieve deniability.

We even had a Johnny Appleseed of sorts on the project. He worked for the HVAC contractor, real stoner, brought in bags of pot seeds and during breaks enjoyed walking the vast rose gardens and landscaping, sowing seeds.

Fun Project for sure.

I’m sure in Dicks day he did plenty of up grades - but after It was sold to the founder of Allergan Pharma that place really became something. His son is Roger of Rogers gardens - the landscaping alone is as nice as anyplace in the world.

My next door Nieghbors mom growing up was and still is the owners PA and has become basically the historian and tour guide for that house, and my son is very good friends of the kids that live in the 2 house next door to the left and we have spent a fair amount of time there for fund raisers or just picking up or dropping off the kids when they were younger.

That’s become quite a block to live on!

And yes there was always a tussle with Severson - however the ongoing tussle between them was not so much about privacy it was the secret service closing the beach when Nixon was there. Imagine the founder of Surfer magazine living on the beach at what is arguably one of the greatest surf breaks in the world being told you can’t go surfing for weeks / months at a time because Dick was home!

They eventually worked it out as the SS would let him surf but keep others out!

 

[Taboma]

I’m sure in Dicks day he did plenty of up grades - but after It was sold to the founder of Allergan Pharma that place really became something. His son is Roger of Rogers gardens - the landscaping is as nice as anyplace in the world.

My next door Nieghbors mom growing up was and still is the owners PA and has become basically the historian and tour guide for that house, and my son is very good friends of the kids that live in the 2 house next door to the left and we have spent a fair amount of time there for fund raisers or just picking up or dropping off the kids when they were younger.

That’s become quite a block to live on!

That property was in serious decline when Dick bought it, the house and grounds were really starting to show the years of basic neglect and simply very old infrastructure, which was replaced in it's entirety.

What's so impressive about that house, that's not visible to the casual observer was the rather "Industrial" quality electrical and communication infrastructure complete upgrade.
The conduits for secure communications and Red Phones were installed under the house in threaded GRC conduit to prevent tampering.
Getting those huge bullet proof glass windows up to Dick's upstairs office was a monumental task. Many of those extremely old and very tall palm trees were strategically relocated to mitigate the potential for a sniper from outside the compound getting a clean shot to his upper office.

When we first started working outside the house at night, we were getting eaten alive by mosquitos, all of us despite bathing in Deet, were getting our blood drained.
Feds brought in an army of exterminators and must have killed every living thing in the Trestles Swamp next door, because the problem got handled and just like that, no more mosquitos.

Kinda blows my mind when I think how all those upgrades and myself, are now 51 years older. Sure doesn't seem that long ago.

 

[Looking Glass]

The fence stops about 50 feet north of our stairway.

View attachment 925913

Thank-You for this picture as it was difficult to imagine this property without it.