With Commanding Ocean Views And More Than An Acre-and-a-half Of Sculptured Grounds, 1412 Lower Paseo La Cresta a Blufftop Estate, Is A Provençal Dream Along The Pacific Coast
“Lower Paseo La Cresta is quite exclusive—a very quiet, one-way street,” says real estate agent Chris Adlam of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty about the scenic green corridor that feels more like a private lane than a public way.
Tucked behind its tapestry of old-growth trees and thick shrubs are some of the most exquisite oceanview residences in Palos Verdes Estates. One of them, a dreamlike Provençal estate, emerges like a vision from the French countryside.
From its rambling terraces to the secluded fruit orchard and manicured putting green, each lofty element of the property—a rare, generous spread of 1.52 acres—has been designed around the dramatic hillside views and European-inspired architecture that define this poetic retreat. You wander among manicured gardens and stone stairways, elegantly decked in pale stone, each leading to yet another lifestyle treasure.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Chris Adlam says of the atmosphere. “You immediately feel as though you’re in the south of France.”
This aesthetic is a natural fit for this setting, just as the area’s original developers recognized the similarities between Palos Verdes’ rolling hills and vivid blue waters, and the Mediterranean’s climate and landscapes. The light, however, is pure Southern California coast animating house and grounds, starting with the golden glow of daybreak to sunset’s color-drenched purples, pinks and blues.
French Style, Palos Verdes Views
The scenic estate lives like a self-contained compound due to its expansive grounds, laden with endless possibilities for relaxing and entertaining. The stone-clad main residence, with 4 bedrooms, makes up the bulk of the approximately 7,500 square feet of total living space—and is warmly coastal in style. Wood-plank floors and carved limestone fireplaces, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and wood details evoke old-world Provence while offering modern comforts throughout.
Oversized main living spaces and large windows frame the sweeping ocean and hillside views—the stars of the property.
“The house is located on a magnificent parcel of land, over an acre and a half, with spectacular ocean and coastline views,” Chris Adlam emphasizes.
Whether relaxing in the peaceful great room with its raised ceilings and glowing fireplace, or entertaining in the spacious kitchen equipped with a luxury French range and hood, you are never far from scenes of blue ocean and green-dappled coastline.
A standout feature of the property, attached to the main residence, is a bright one-bedroom guesthouse that feels like a luxury boutique retreat. A full-fledged ADU with a separate driveway, this peaceful hub also has its own entrance and boasts charmed details like character-rich wood floors and a bright white kitchen with a glossy, stone-topped island and premium appliances.
Designed as a comfortable dwelling for family or long-term guests, the guest residence features two bathrooms and a laundry room for complete independence. You can relax under high, vaulted ceilings in the living room or step through French doors to lounge on the fresh-air private patio, taking in views of the lush grounds with their neat rows of hedges and mature trees.
Grounds & Gardens
The smartly designed property combines extensive use of stone to contrast against mature landscaping, recreating the essence of French countryside living. Sculpture and fountains are part of the graceful atmosphere, as are stone steps and walkways that maps out distinct garden areas. There are fresh-air spaces to gather and play games, notably the sizable putting green.
Amble across the property to the resort-like pool deck with a tucked-away spa and an adjacent pool house—a feel-good getaway with wafting palm trees and a postcard vista of the Pacific Ocean and the coast. This is a destination with serene spaces for everyday meditation and movement, and ample room for sun-splashed weekend get-togethers—all enhanced when the generous glass doors of the pool house are opened to let in fragrant air and views.
After dark, settle into one of the many gathering spots along the endless verandas, or gather under the covered porch where a blazing fireplace heightens the dramatic glow of the star-laden sky and twinkling coastal lights. What makes this estate truly exceptional is the abundance of thoughtfully designed spaces—each with stunning views and captivating atmosphere—that seamlessly accommodate both intimate solitude and joyful celebrations against an epic oceanview backdrop.
It’s a standout atmosphere due not only to manicured acres of green grounds, elevated ocean vistas and an ideal location.
“It’s a very special pocket of Palos Verdes Estates with great access too,” Chris Adlam notes—perfectly secluded in its own private world, yet minutes from premier schools, shopping and dining, all about two miles away.
It’s ultimately an enchanting mix of all of these things, heightened by a beautifully sculpted French country estate, that transforms this property into a lifestyle destination one cannot soon forget.
Chris Adlam | 310.493.7216 | DRE#00967574
of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty
List Price: $9,900,000
Photography Courtesy of Chris Adlam
