For Sale: Jeff Bridges’ $8 Million ‘Mindful Oasis’ in California
Want the perfect place mix up a White Russian, kick back and turn on the Credence? Look no further than Jeff Bridges’ very chill compound in Montecito, California, near Santa Barbara. “The Big Lebowski” star and his longtime wife, Susan, are selling their home for $7.995 million, and it looks like the spot that the Dude might have bought, had he not been a burnout slacker.
“When you first arrive, you notice that the property as a whole has so much soul and is exactly where you would imagine Jeff living,” says listing agent Sally Hanseth with Coldwell Banker.
The Details
The main home is a single-level Spanish revival estate built in 1919 with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with approximately 3,700 square feet of living space. “It’s back from any road, surrounded by massive estates. It's incredibly private and quiet, with acres of walking paths through oak and redwood groves,” says Hanseth.
It Was Hit by a Mudslide
In January 2018, a series of mudslides hit Southern California, causing 21 deaths (two people are still missing) and over $177 million in estimated property damages throughout the area. This home was one of those damaged in the disaster, and the Bridges had to be rescued. Bridges, Susan and their dog had to climb to the highest point in the house in the middle of the night and wait until a rescue helicopter airlifted them to safety. Here’s a video of him talking about it.
But it Survived
Luckily, this 100-year-old house has good bones. Hanseth says that the home “is so solid because of the way it was built back in the day and the materials were stronger. Although some landscaping and part of the carriage house were affected, there wasn’t real damage to the house.”
The Bridges’ Personal Touches
While the Dude might abide by window units, the Bridges do not. The couple bought the property for $6.85 million in 2014 and added some personal touches in 2016 during a renovation. Perhaps the first thing they installed? Central air conditioning.
“The home didn’t have it before,” says Hanseth. The Bridges also added new electric, heating and plumbing. They also installed a high-end sound system.
The Kitchen
Hanseth says the Bridges “completely rebuilt the kitchen and family room from the ground up.” The kitchen features a quartz counters, wood cabinetry, wood-paneled appliances, a large center island and a soothing light green tiled backsplash.
There Are Original Touches, Too
Like we said, this house has good bones — and some solid features. The doors, windows and three of the fireplaces are all original to the house. And so are the home’s wide plank, Douglas fir floors. “You can look closely at the wood and see how tight the grain is and know that it’s hundreds of years old,” says Hanseth.
The Fireplaces Are Awesome
The home has five fireplaces, and they’re all spectacular, whether they are 100 years old or not. The living room has a grand, borderless fireplace with a large wood mantle, and corner-set adobe-style fireplaces adorn several other areas, like the bedrooms.
The Ceilings are Grand
Bridges’ main home features high, exposed beam cathedral ceilings made out of a combination of cedar and distressed Douglas fir in the main areas. The same architectural style continues throughout, with recessed lighting and skylights providing a bright and friendly atmosphere.
Get Zen in the Gardens
According to those that know him, Bridges is not unlike Jeffrey Lebowski in his Zen-ness (his musician friend, T Bone Burnett, called him “the Zen-ist of all actors”). As such, the 69-year-old star has created quite the meditative place to be. The four-acre property includes an original private well, a citrus orchard and a butterfly garden with a pond. Huge, gnarled oak trees dot the property.
Love Horses? So Does He
Bridges would rather fight a horse-sized duck than 100 duck-sized horses, but he’d rather not fight one at all. (“In my mind, [the 100 horse-sized ducks] are angry. They’re coming after me, man,” the actor told Jimmy Fallon. “Now I see this giant duck, and he’s kind of a cool cat, man.)
The actor and his wife are horse lovers, and their Montecito mansion reflects that. The property includes a 5,000-square-foot carriage house and five-stall horse facility that leads out to winding trails.
Love Horses? So Does He
The carriage house has an office, five rooms and a workshop. The 12-foot veranda opens up to a bocce ball and horse court, lined with hanging iron lanterns.
The Bedrooms
The master bedroom features beautiful wooden doors, an exposed beam ceiling, hardwood flooring and French doors that lead outside. The two guest bedrooms are equally elegant, but if you still need some space, there’s also a 487-square-foot guest house and an 800-square-foot pool house with sauna.
The Bathrooms
The newly renovated master bathroom features teak floors with hydroponic heating, an oversized marble shower and a huge dual walk-in closet. If we had to have our heads stuffed down a toilet, we’d choose this one. Or perhaps one of the other two stylish bathrooms.
The Big Study
The Bridge’s study is a better fit for the millionaire Lebowski than el Duderino. Ceiling-length wood bookshelves, wicker furniture and a rug that ties the room together create a beachy feel. Two large sliding glass doors open up to the outside deck and pool area.
Famous Neighbors
This neighborhood has some other rich and fabulous neighbors, particularly Oprah Winfrey, who resides in a 23,000-square-foot, $50-million mega mansion. Ellen DeGeneres recently sold a home nearby for $34 million to Netflix executive Ted Sarandon.
Where Goes the Dude Now?
This is the second Montecito property the Bridges have put up for sale in two years. Prior to this compound, the couple sold a much larger, 9,500-square-foot villa for $15.95 million in 2017. So why the move?
“The Bridges want to be on the ocean now, and spend more time on their ranch in Montana,” says Hanseth.
Bridges met his wife on set while filming “Rancho Deluxe,” which was set in Montana, and the actor fell in love with both his wife and the state. He has lived in Livingston for over 40 years and once owned a coffee shop in the area. In 2010, he purchased the brothel used in the film “Heaven’s Gate,” which was one of biggest movie flops of all time. How dude-like.