After Elvis and before the Beatles, the Beach Boys were America’s favorite rock ‘n’ roll group. The band, led by Brian Wilson and his two brothers, a cousin and a family friend, began performing in 1961 in Hawthorne, Calif., as The Pendletones. Within less than two years—and a name change later—the Beach Boys ruled the U.S. airwaves with “Surfin’ Safari,” “Surfin’ USA” and “Surfer Girl.” Between the Boys’ own hits and the No. 1 song “Surf City” that Wilson wrote and produced for American rock duo Jan and Dean, Wilson pretty much created the California beach music sound.
Today, Wilson and his wife Melinda are surfing onto the real estate scene, having recently listed their professionally decorated vacation retreat on Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino National Forest west of Los Angeles. At 4,500 square feet, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom, three-story home is equipped with an elevator to access each floor, terraces/balconies on each level, two fireplaces and views of the lake from all the common rooms. A perfect blend of formal and casual, soaring ceilings give the interior an airy, cheerful vibe. The open layout lends itself to entertaining, as does the outdoor kitchen on the deck overlooking the lake. A single, solar-powered boat slip is included in the sale. Wilson had another home in Lake Arrowhead that he sold in 2003 to buy an equestrian property for his daughters, but he returned to the area in 2011.
Lake Arrowhead has been a peaceful retreat for the rich and famous and a backdrop in films since the early 1900s. Early actors decided to build vacation homes in the area after making films in the prestigious locale, and, today, many celebrities continue to visit and own homes there. Lake Arrowhead has been a popular hangout for Howard Hughes, Charles Lindbergh, Bugsy Siegel, Michael Jackson and many others.
Furnishings are available under separate negotiation.
Listed for: $3.299 million
