Pick Your Malibu Mansion: Coastal Grecian Beach House or Mountaintop Vineyard Villa?

There is no higher second home locale to aspire to than Malibu, California. The iconic beach town just northwest of Los Angeles has long been a tranquil escape for celebrities and surf bums alike. Many people picture Malibu mansions that border the sweeping Pacific coast, but the homes nestled throughout the many canyons of the city boast just as gorgeous views and possibly more seclusion.

Which brings us to our Splurge vs Steal this week. Which 12,000-square-foot Malibu mansion would you choose? The Mountaintop Vineyard Villa for a Splurge or the Coastal Grecian Beach House for a (relative) Steal?

Splurge: Mountaintop Vineyard Villa for $38 Million

This luxurious, eight-bedroom home is everything you could dream of in a Malibu mansion… and much more. Two pools, three guest homes, 600 avocado trees. The list goes on and gets more extravagant. 

Set on 180 acres nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, this property is a wine-lover’s dream with rows of picturesque vineyards and an equestrian-style tasting room. Every detail of the 12,000-square-foot living space is grand, thoughtful and reminiscent of a majestic Tuscan villa. With the long, winding stone driveway, the vast size of the property and ornate wooden gates, this Malibu mansion promises privacy and blissful seclusion.

From the listing:

“Every feature of the hacienda reveals the spectacular attention to detail, from open wood beamed ceilings to intricate wood columns. This prized location is just five minutes from Malibu’s beautiful beaches and twenty miles from Santa Monica. With the amenities of resort- style living in an enchanting setting, residents will experience a world all their own, where the possibilities are endless.”

Steal: Coastal Grecian Beach House for $17.25 Million

Malibu would be the alternate universe where a $17 million house could be constituted as a Steal in any way, but here we are. Context is everything. This GORGEOUS, Santorini-inspired seven-bedroom comes at a $20.75 million discount from our mountaintop Splurge.

Our Steal is more of a beachside beauty– both in location and design. It’s just minutes away from Escondido Beach (and Geoffrey’s!), yet feels completely secluded behind two private gates. And the interiors tastefully merge high luxury with a laid-back beachy vibe. Even the wood garage doors stay true to the house’s boho feel.

This Malibu mansion is built for entertainment from the theater to the wine cellar to the volleyball court.

From the listing:

“Reimagined by financier Daniel Starr in collaboration with Saffron Case Homes, the extensive remodel blends California’s casual elegance with Greek-resort luxury. Behind two private gates, discover a pristine palm-lined property with mature olive and fruit trees. In the main residence, impeccable craftsmanship greets you at every turn. Enjoy a bright living room with 30-foot ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with Caeserstone countertops, tadelakt bathrooms, an office, library and gym.”