The residence sits atop a building positioned at the corner of Ocean and California avenues, directly above the California Incline.
A one-of-a-kind Santa Monica penthouse perched above one of Southern California’s most recognizable stretches of coastline has hit the market for $8.95 million—offering its future owner an enormous private terrace and sweeping views from Malibu to downtown Los Angeles.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence, which is listed with David Solomon and Anna Solomon of Solomon Property Group at Douglas Elliman, sits atop 101 California Avenue, a building positioned at the corner of Ocean and California avenues, directly above the California Incline.
The roughly 1,400-foot roadway descends from the coastal bluffs to Pacific Coast Highway and has long been woven into Los Angeles history, even appearing in the 1963 comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.”
Yet the property’s location is only part of what sets it apart.
The roughly 3,000-square-foot home is the only residence occupying the building’s top floor, meaning the elevator opens directly onto the penthouse level rather than a shared hallway or landing.
A one-of-a-kind Santa Monica penthouse perched above one of Southern California’s most recognizable stretches of coastline has hit the market for $8.95 million—offering its future owner an enormous private terrace and sweeping views from Malibu to downtown Los Angeles. (Chris Amitrano) Every room in the home has been positioned to take advantage of the water views, while a more traditional layout divides the interiors into individual spaces rather than relying on one sprawling open floor plan.
Those rooms offer changing perspectives throughout the day, from the Pacific Ocean and sailboats beyond the Santa Monica Pier to the lights stretching along the coastline toward Malibu after sunset.
Looking inland, the residence also offers views across the Los Angeles basin toward Century City and downtown, with the mountains visible in the distance on especially clear days.
However, the defining feature of the home may be what lies outside its walls.
Nearly 7,000 square feet of private outdoor space surrounds the penthouse, creating a 360-degree terrace that is larger than the residence itself.
Designed by gardener and landscape architect Jamie Durie, the wraparound outdoor area offers enough room for large-scale entertaining while still providing more secluded areas overlooking the ocean.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence, which is listed with David Solomon and Anna Solomon of Solomon Property Group at Douglas Elliman, sits atop 101 California Avenue, a building positioned at the corner of Ocean and California avenues, directly above the California Incline. (Chris Amitrano) 
The roughly 1,400-foot roadway descends from the coastal bluffs to Pacific Coast Highway and has long been woven into Los Angeles history, even appearing in the 1963 comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” (Chris Amitrano) 
Yet the property’s location is only part of what sets it apart. (Chris Amitrano) 
The roughly 3,000-square-foot home is the only residence occupying the building’s top floor, meaning the elevator opens directly onto the penthouse level rather than a shared hallway or landing. (Chris Amitrano) According to the property's representatives, it is the largest private penthouse terrace on Ocean Avenue.
Because the outdoor space completely encircles the residence, its vistas extend in multiple directions. To the west are Malibu and the Pacific, while the Santa Monica Pier and coastline toward Palos Verdes can be seen to the south. Century City and downtown Los Angeles are visible to the east.
The penthouse also sits directly across Ocean Avenue from Palisades Park, with the Fairmont Miramar next door.
Montana Avenue is within walking distance, while downtown Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade are just minutes away.
Meanwhile, its position at the top of the California Incline provides quick access down to Pacific Coast Highway and the beach, with Malibu located farther north along the coast.
“It’s a house sitting on a roof of one of the tallest residential buildings on Ocean Avenue. That’s the simplest way to put it. The elevator opens into the only residence on top of the building, at Ocean Avenue and the California Incline, which is one of the most recognizable corners on the West Coast. But the feature nobody else has is the outdoor space. The entire rooftop is private, roughly 7,000 square feet wrapping the home a full 360 degrees, with views up and down the coast and across all of LA. Location is so good I actually own three units here," David told Realtor.com®.
The penthouse also sits directly across Ocean Avenue from Palisades Park, with the Fairmont Miramar next door. (Chris Amitrano) 
Montana Avenue is within walking distance, while downtown Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade are just minutes away. (Chris Amitrano) 
Meanwhile, its position at the top of the California Incline provides quick access down to Pacific Coast Highway and the beach, with Malibu located farther north along the coast. (Chris Amitrano) 
Meanwhile, David noted that the market has been strong in the area, adding that he is hopeful the property will quickly attract a buyer. (Chris Amitrano) The home also comes with a notable family history.
It is being sold by the family of the late George Kozmetsky, a co-founder of Teledyne Inc. and former dean of the University of Texas business school who is credited with helping develop Austin’s technology economy.
Kozmetsky's grandson, George Taylor Scott, is handling the sale on behalf of the family. Scott's mother had been living in the penthouse before deciding to relocate to a single-family home.
Now, the family is offering another buyer the chance to take over the singular residence—and its unusually expansive slice of outdoor space above the California coast.
Describing the ideal buyer, David told Realtor.com, "There’s a wide pool for a property like this, but the buyer I keep picturing is someone out of tech or entertainment who wants to stand on 7,000 square feet of private terrace above the Pacific and watch the SpaceX launches come up the coast. From that roof, you’re on the 50-yard line for the entire Santa Monica Bay."
Meanwhile, David noted that the market has been strong in the area, adding that he is hopeful the property will quickly attract a buyer.
"The Westside has been strong. This was without question one of the busiest summers we’ve had. We’ve closed several sales above this price point this year, and on Ocean Avenue in particular we have been party of numerous record breaking numbers, including what we believe is the highest price per square foot ever paid for a condominium west of the 405," he said.