3 groovy San Diego midcentury homes to snag

Known as California’s beach city, San Diego is that other SoCal getaway with sunny skies (nearly) 365 days a year—but with 70 miles of sparkling, Pacific Ocean coastline instead of desert vistas. It also happens to boast some excellent midcentury architecture, some of it in original condition.

Here are three homes for sale—two of which are located in the tony community of La Jolla—that showcase the best of what that period had to offer. From the virtually untouched to the minimally updated, these residences include swooping rooflines, wood paneling, and all the nostalgia you might ever want to conjure. Take a look, but, first, a warning: California real estate prices are no joke.

Photos via Zillow

Photos via Zillow

Though it appears to have been on the market for quite some time, this 1951-built home at 7224 Carrizo Road recently got a significant price cut—of $300,000, to be exact—which should make the whopping $2,950,000-tag a little more palatable.

Still, it’s an impressive piece of architecture, waiting to be brought back to its glory days. Designed by Fred Liebhardt, a Taliesen fellow, according to the listing, the 3,534-square-foot three-bedroom features poured concrete and stone walls, sloping roof, interior paneling, and super retro (though, of course, in this case, mostly likely originally) tiled bathrooms. Not to mention that ocean view.

Photos via Zillow

Located at 5780 Rutgers Road, also in La Jolla, this 1960 residence by William Lumpskins is perched on a hill and features four bedrooms, five baths, and multiple living spaces on a 4,651-square-foot floorplan. Charming details include built-in seating in the den, a carved wet bar, outdoor decking and balconies, period bathrooms, a pool, and ocean views. The seller will entertain any offers between $1,995,000 and $2,395,000 million.

Photos via Zillow

On the market for the first time ever, this 1956 home at 3681 Liggett Drive is asking $1,899,000 after a $96,000 price chop. Six bedrooms and five bathrooms unfurl over 4,466 square feet of flowing living space that includes, a preserved-in-time wood-paneled family room with cinder block hearth and wet bar, a more contemporary sitting room that also has its own fireplace, and other period offerings.

Watch: A midcentury modern dream in San Diego