$9,000,000
SOLD MAY 29, 2026

7301 Encelia Dr La Jolla, CA 92037

La Jolla Area
4 Beds
4 Baths
5,004 Sq Ft
1.51 Acre Lot

Sale Details

Date Sold: May 29, 2026

$1,799 Per Sq Ft

10% Below List Price

93 Days on Market

Highlights

  • White Water Ocean Views
  • In Ground Pool
  • 1.51 Acre Lot
  • Golf Course Community
  • Primary Bedroom Suite
  • Fireplace in Primary Bedroom

About This Home

As of May 2026

SEALED BID SALE | BIDS TO BE DELIVERED TO: The Regents of the University of California Real Estate Services & Strategies 1111 Franklin St, 7th Floor Oakland, CA 94607-5200 ATTENTION: JULIE WONG NO LATER THAN 5PM PST ON APRIL 15, 2026 Perched high above the Pacific with panoramic views suspended between sea and sky, the former home of Theodor Seuss Geisel—known globally as Dr. Seuss, the most famous children’s author in the world—comes to market as one of La Jolla’s most storied residential offerings. Today, the property is widely regarded as one of the best view lots in all of Southern California, celebrated for its extraordinary elevation and sweeping coastal vistas. Originally designed in 1950 by master architect Thomas L. Shepherd, the estate was thoughtfully built around a pre-existing Spanish Revival observation tower dating back to 1923–1924, created to showcase the site’s remarkable outlook. From this hillside retreat, Geisel wrote 42 of his 68 published works, with the tower and adjoining office and study standing as enduring symbols of the property’s creative legacy. Both the observation tower and the office/study have been formally recognized for designation under the City of San Diego’s Historical Resource Board Criterion B and must remain. Extensively renovated while preserving its historic core, the 5,000+ square-foot estate sits on approximately 1.51 acres and includes a separate pool house, all positioned to capture breathtaking ocean, coastline, and sunset views. Located moments from the La Jolla Country Club, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, and the shops and dining of La Jolla Village, this is a truly rare opportunity where history, architecture, and setting converge. IMPORTANT NOTE: For all developers or potential buyers out there who are looking to do a lot split, tear down or complete renovation, the office and observation tower must remain.

Last Agent to Sell the Property

Jason Barry

Barry Estates Brokerage Email: Jason@barryestates.com License #01147550 Listed on: 01/26/2026

Co-Listed By

Ryan McGovern

Barry Estates Brokerage Email: Jason@barryestates.com License #01810974

Last Buyer's Agent

Meridith Weber

Compass License #02015542

Compass

Home Details

Home Type

  • Single Family

Year Built

  • Built in 1950

Lot Details

  • 1.51 Acre Lot
  • Density is up to 1 Unit/Acre

Parking

  • 2 Car Attached Garage
  • 8 Open Parking Spaces

Property Views

  • White Water Ocean
  • Coastline
  • Bay
  • Panoramic
  • City Lights
  • Golf Course
  • Mountain

Home Design

  • Spanish Architecture
  • Entry on the 1st floor

Interior Spaces

  • 5,004 Sq Ft Home
  • 1-Story Property
  • Family Room
  • Living Room with Fireplace
  • Home Office
  • Laundry Room

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • 4 Bedrooms
  • Fireplace in Primary Bedroom
  • Primary Bedroom Suite
  • Walk-In Closet
  • 4 Full Bathrooms

Pool

  • In Ground Pool

Utilities

  • Cooling Available
  • No Heating

Listing and Financial Details

  • Tax Tract Number 1975
  • Assessor Parcel Number 3522321500

Community Details

Overview

  • No Home Owners Association

Recreation

  • Golf Course Community

Home Details

Home Type

Single Family

Year Built

Built in 1950

Lot Details

1.51 Acres

Parking

2

Listing Details

  • Assessments: Yes
  • Property Attached: No
  • View: Yes
  • Zoning: R-1
  • Architectural Style: Spanish
  • Property Sub Type: Single Family Residence
  • Property Type: Residential
  • Parcel Number: 3522321500
  • Year Built: 1950
  • Special Features: None

Interior Features

  • Fireplace: Yes
  • Living Area: 5004.00 Square Feet
  • Stories: 1
  • Common Walls: No Common Walls
  • Appliances: No
  • Full Bathrooms: 4
  • Total Bedrooms: 4
  • Entry Level: 1
  • Fireplace Features: Primary Bedroom, Living Room
  • Levels: One
  • Price Per Square Foot: 1988.41
  • Room Type: Walk-In Closet, Laundry, All Bedrooms Down, Office, Main Floor Primary Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room, Family Room, Primary Suite, Den

Exterior Features

  • View: Coastline, Ocean, Mountain(s), White Water, Bay, City Lights, Golf Course, Panoramic
  • Fence: No
  • Pool Features: In Ground, Private
  • Pool Private: Yes
  • Spa: No

Garage/Parking

  • Attached Garage: Yes
  • Garage Spaces: 2.00
  • Parking: No
  • Total Parking Spaces: 10.00
  • Uncovered Spaces: 8.00

Utilities

  • Sprinklers: No
  • Heating: No
  • Laundry: Yes
  • Laundry Features: Individual Room
  • Cooling: Yes

Condo/Co-op/Association

  • Association: No
  • Senior Community: No
  • Community Features: Golf

Lot Info

  • Land Lease: No
  • Lot Features: 0-1 Unit/Acre
  • Lot Size Sq Ft: 65775.60
  • Lot Size Acres: 1.5100

Multi Family

  • Lease Considered: No
  • Lot Size Area: 1.5100 Acres
  • Number Of Units In Community: 623

Tax Info

  • Tax Tract Number: 1975

Ownership History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Name Owned For Owner Type

Purchase Details

Closed on
Dec 18, 2019
Sold by
Bought by

Purchase Details

Closed on
Dec 5, 2019
Sold by
Bought by

Purchase Details

Closed on
Jul 3, 2012
Sold by
Bought by
Source: Public Records
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Home Values in the Area

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value in this Area





Source: Public Records

Purchase History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Type Sale Price Title Company
Gift Deed -- Chicago Title Company
Grant Deed -- Chicago Title Company
Interfamily Deed Transfer -- None Available
Interfamily Deed Transfer -- None Available
Source: Public Records

Property History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Event Price List to Sale Price per Sq Ft
05/29/2026 05/29/26 Sold $9,000,000 -9.5% $1,799 / Sq Ft
04/29/2026 04/29/26 Pending -- -- --
01/26/2026 01/26/26 For Sale $9,950,000 -- $1,988 / Sq Ft
Source: California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS)

Tax History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Year Tax Paid Tax Assessment Tax Assessment Total Assessment is a certain percentage of the fair market value that is determined by local assessors to be the total taxable value of land and additions on the property. Land Improvement
2026 $40,050 $3,264,000 $3,264,000
2025 -- $3,200,000 $3,200,000
2024 -- --
2023 $0 $0 $0 $0
2022 $0 $0 $0 $0
2021 $0 $0 $0 $0
2020 $0 $0 $0 $0
2019 $18,333 $1,485,890 $1,485,890 $0
2018 $17,138 $1,456,755 $1,456,755 $0
2017 $16,731 $1,428,192 $1,428,192 $0
2016 $16,468 $1,400,189 $1,400,189 $0
2015 $16,225 $1,379,157 $1,379,157 $0
2014 $15,968 $1,352,142 $1,352,142 $0
Source: Public Records

Agents Affiliated with this Home

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Map

Source: California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS)

MLS Number: NDP2600802

California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS)

APN: 352-232-15

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