You know that megawatt smile, but have you ever wondered where Julia Roberts actually lives? The Pretty Woman star’s got serious taste in real estate. Her property collection spans from Malibu beaches to New Mexico mountains, with each Julia Roberts house telling its own story. We’re talking Victorian mansions in San Francisco, sprawling ranches in Taos, and beachfront compounds that’ll make your jaw drop.
Let’s dive into the homes that house Hollywood royalty. Roberts and her cinematographer husband Danny Moder have built quite the portfolio over two decades. From wedding venues to family retreats, these aren’t just houses—they’re lifestyle statements. Each property reflects different chapters of her life, career milestones, and family growth.
The Malibu Fortress: Where Roberts Calls Home
The crown jewel sits perched on a Malibu bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Roberts and Moder snagged this beauty in 2003 for $9.5 million, making it their primary residence. The compound features multiple buildings connected by brick courtyards and sprawling lawns that scream California luxury. Solar panels power this eco-friendly retreat, while a private beach provides ultimate privacy for the family.
Aerial shots reveal the property’s impressive scale and thoughtful design. Wide decks and shaded outdoor spaces maximize those million-dollar ocean views. The main house anchors the compound, with additional structures creating a private resort feel. You’ve got inner courtyards perfect for entertaining and grassy areas where the kids can play.
Julia Roberts house survived the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires that rocked the region. Roberts became one of many celebrities raising relief funds for wildfire victims. The actress famously called out looters with some choice words, defending her beloved Malibu community. Her dedication to the area runs deep after two decades of calling it home.
The family—twins Hazel and Phinnaeus plus son Henry—grew up on this property. Roberts considers it their true sanctuary away from Hollywood’s spotlight. The compound’s design prioritizes privacy while celebrating California’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Each building serves a specific purpose, creating distinct zones for family life, work, and relaxation.
Taos Ranch: The Wedding Venue That Started It All
New Mexico holds special meaning for Roberts—it’s where she married Danny Moder. The 32-acre Taos ranch near Arroyo Seco became their wedding venue on July 4, 2002. Roberts bought this spread sometime in the ’90s, and it’s remained a cherished family retreat. The property was worth about $2.5 million in 2008, likely worth much more today.
This working ranch offers everything the Malibu compound doesn’t: mountain views, wide open spaces, and true seclusion. Roberts has praised the property’s peaceful energy in interviews with Oprah Winfrey. “You can’t be in a bad mood here,” she once said about the ranch’s restorative powers. The clear mountain air and expansive landscapes provide a perfect contrast to coastal living.
Locals regularly spot Roberts at Target and grocery stores around Taos. She’s embraced the community, becoming a genuine local rather than just a celebrity visitor. The family spends significant time here, especially during school breaks and holidays. Roberts appreciates how normal life feels in this artistic, laid-back mountain town.
Fun fact: she bought the ranch from former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The property’s history adds another layer to its appeal for Roberts. Previous owners understood the land’s special qualities and maintained its rustic character. Roberts has continued that tradition, preserving the ranch’s authentic Western atmosphere.
San Francisco Victorian: The City Experiment
Roberts tried city living with a stunning 1912 Victorian in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights. She and Moder paid $8.3 million in early 2020 for this five-bedroom, four-bathroom beauty. The 6,245-square-foot home offered Golden Gate Bridge views and easy access to culture. Five floors maximized the narrow city lot, creating vertical living at its finest.
The house featured classic Victorian details: coffered ceilings, bay windows, and multiple fireplaces. Architect Sylvain Schnaittacher designed the original structure, with later renovations by John Wheatman. Custom olive-green cabinetry dominated the kitchen, while built-in shelves lined the home office. The master suite occupied the top floor with skylights flooding the space.
Roberts wanted her kids to experience diverse city life away from Hollywood. San Francisco offered excellent schools, cultural opportunities, and anonymity that her children couldn’t find elsewhere. “Her kids aren’t movie star kids in San Francisco,” a friend told the media. The city’s energy provided a fresh perspective for the entire family.
However, the experiment didn’t last long. Roberts listed the Julia Roberts house for $11.75 million in late 2023. The property sold just 18 days later for $11.3 million, suggesting strong buyer interest. Reports indicated Moder wanted to return to Malibu for his surfing and industry connections.
Hawaiian Paradise Lost: The Kauai Beach House
Roberts and Moder’s Hawaiian adventure started in 2011 with a $13 million Kauai purchase. The two-acre property along Hanalei Bay featured 200-plus feet of pristine beachfront. The main house, dated to the 1940s, offers 3,800 square feet of vintage charm. Mountain and ocean views created the perfect island retreat setting.
The property’s history as part of a sugar plantation added cultural significance. Five bedrooms provided plenty of space for the family and guests visiting paradise. Wood-beamed ceilings and picture windows celebrated the tropical location while maintaining comfortable living standards. Covered outdoor areas took advantage of constant ocean breezes and stunning sunset views.
Roberts initially listed the property for $29.85 million in 2015 after four years of ownership. When buyers didn’t bite, she dropped the price to $19.5 million. The house finally sold in 2016 for $16.2 million, representing a significant loss. Even Hollywood stars sometimes make real estate mistakes in paradise.
The sale marked the end of Roberts’ Hawaiian chapter. While beautiful, the property proved too remote for regular family use. Maintaining a home thousands of miles from their primary residence created logistical challenges. The family’s lifestyle needed properties they could actually enjoy regularly, not just occasionally visit.
New York City Penthouses: East Coast Investments
Roberts has maintained New York real estate since 1993 with strategic Manhattan investments. Her first purchase was a Gramercy Park penthouse, which she’s kept as rental property. The exclusive neighborhood offers the city’s only private park access. High ceilings and wood-burning fireplaces give the space classic New York character.
In 2010, Roberts and Moder bought a Greenwich Village penthouse for $3.845 million. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit featured city views from a spacious terrace. Wood-burning fireplace anchored the living room while the outdoor space provided rare Manhattan luxury. The couple owned this Julia Roberts house for five years before selling.
They listed the Greenwich Village property for $4.5 million in 2015, selling for $5.35 million. Smart timing helped them capture New York’s rising real estate values during that period. The sale demonstrated Roberts’s savvy approach to property investment beyond just personal residences. New York real estate often appreciates faster than other markets, making it attractive for celebrities.
Roberts’ New York strategy focuses on prime locations with rental potential. She’s kept the Gramercy Park property as an ongoing investment, generating passive income. The approach shows sophisticated real estate planning beyond just acquiring dream homes. Celebrity investors often balance personal use with financial returns, and Roberts executes this well.
Point Dume Addition: Expanding the Malibu Empire
Roberts couldn’t resist adding more Malibu property to her collection. In 2016, she and Moder bought a three-bedroom house directly across from their main compound. The $7 million purchase expanded their Point Dume footprint while maintaining privacy. Ranch-style architecture complemented their existing property’s aesthetic perfectly.
The one-acre lot featured gardens and a riding ring for equestrian activities. Roberts has always loved horses, making this addition personally meaningful beyond just investment potential. The property provided extra space for guests, staff, or family activities. Having multiple homes on the same street creates a true family compound.
They also picked up a Point Dume cottage in 2017 for $3.9 million investment purposes. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property was considerably more modest than their other holdings. Reports suggested rental income of $10,500 monthly, proving celebrity real estate can generate solid returns. Smart investors diversify their portfolios with different property types and purposes.
Roberts quietly sold the ranch-style house in 2020 for $8 million after four years. The sale netted a small profit while simplifying their property management responsibilities. Sometimes, even celebrities need to downsize their real estate portfolios for practical reasons.
Montana Memory: The Engagement Property That Never Was
Before Moder, Roberts was engaged to Kiefer Sutherland after meeting on the Flatliners set. Together, they purchased Goldenbear Ranch in Whitefish, Montana, as their planned love nest. The lakeside property was reportedly Sutherland’s wedding gift to Roberts, complete with rustic charm. Five bedrooms provided plenty of space for their planned life together.
The 5.5-acre property included unique features like a nine-hole disc golf course. A deepwater dock and pebble beach offered year-round recreation opportunities on the pristine lake. Two-bedroom guesthouse provided space for visitors, while the boathouse featured a full kitchen and a rooftop terrace. Montana’s natural beauty created the perfect romantic hideaway setting.
Their engagement ended after 10 months, leaving the ranch unused by the couple. The property eventually sold to other owners who extensively renovated the buildings. By 2016, it appeared on the market, showcasing its updated amenities and maintained natural setting.
This Julia Roberts house that never became a home represents a different chapter entirely. Sometimes, real estate investments become emotional reminders of relationships that didn’t work out. Roberts learned valuable lessons about mixing love and property purchases early in her career.
Design Style: Roberts’ Signature Aesthetic
Analyzing Roberts’ properties reveals consistent design preferences across different locations and architectural styles. She gravitates toward natural materials, especially wood beams, stone fireplaces, and organic textures. Each Julia Roberts house celebrates its environment rather than imposing a foreign aesthetic. California coastal, New Mexico rustic, and Victorian elegance all feel authentically Roberts.
Outdoor living spaces feature prominently in every property she’s owned long-term. Whether Malibu decks, Taos patios, or San Francisco terraces, she prioritizes indoor-outdoor flow. Natural light floods her homes through large windows and skylights when possible. The actress clearly values connection to nature and surrounding landscapes over flashy interior statements.
Roberts chooses comfort over ostentation in her decorating approach. Built-in storage, cozy reading nooks, and family-friendly layouts take precedence over formal entertaining spaces. Her homes feel lived-in rather than staged for magazine shoots, reflecting genuine family life priorities. Function matters more than impressing visitors with over-the-top luxury features.
Color palettes tend toward earth tones and natural hues that complement each property’s setting. She’s not afraid of bold choices—like that olive-green kitchen cabinetry in San Francisco—but keeps them grounded. Her design instincts create homes that feel timeless rather than trendy, ensuring they age gracefully.
Investment Strategy: Building Wealth Through Real Estate
Roberts’ property portfolio demonstrates sophisticated real estate investment thinking beyond just personal residences. She’s balanced primary homes, vacation properties, and rental investments across multiple markets. Geographic diversification protects against local market downturns while providing lifestyle flexibility. Her strategy shows both emotional attachment and financial pragmatism in property selection.
Timing has been crucial to her success, buying in desirable markets before major appreciation. The Malibu compound purchased in 2003 has likely tripled in value over two decades. New York properties provided steady rental income while appreciating in competitive markets. Even her losses, like the Hawaii property, weren’t catastrophic to her overall wealth.
Roberts holds properties long enough to benefit from appreciation rather than flipping quickly. She’s owned the Malibu compound for over 20 years, watching it become increasingly valuable. Long-term holding allows her to ride out market fluctuations while building substantial equity. This approach requires patience but often generates better returns than frequent trading.
Her willingness to sell when properties no longer serve their purpose shows smart portfolio management. The San Francisco house and various Malibu additions were sold when family needs changed. Successful real estate investors know when to hold and when to fold.
Current Status: Where Roberts Lives Now
Today, Roberts and Moder have simplified their Julia Roberts house collection significantly. The Malibu compound remains their primary residence after surviving the 2025 wildfires. They’ve maintained the Taos ranch as their mountain retreat for family getaways. The Gramercy Park penthouse continues generating rental income as a long-term investment.
Recent reports suggest the couple spends most time between Malibu and Taos. Both properties offer the privacy and space their family needs while maintaining distinct character. Malibu provides ocean access and industry connections, while Taos offers mountain peace and an authentic community. This two-home approach balances their professional and personal needs perfectly.
Roberts has expressed renewed focus on her career after the children grew older. Simplified real estate holdings support this goal by reducing management responsibilities and distractions. She can concentrate on choosing projects rather than managing multiple properties across different states. Sometimes less really is more, even for Hollywood stars.
The 2025 wildfires reinforced her commitment to the Malibu community she’s called home for decades. Roberts actively supported relief efforts and spoke passionately about protecting the area. Her deep roots in Malibu make it unlikely she’ll abandon the compound anytime soon.
Lessons from Roberts’ Real Estate Journey
Roberts’ property evolution offers insights for anyone interested in real estate investment or lifestyle design. Start with locations you genuinely love rather than just financial opportunities, as passion sustains long-term ownership. Diversify across different markets and property types to balance risk and reward potential. Don’t be afraid to experiment—her San Francisco and Hawaii ventures didn’t work out perfectly, but provided valuable experience.
Quality matters more than quantity when building a property portfolio. Roberts’ best investments have been in prime locations with unique characteristics rather than generic luxury properties. The Malibu compound and Taos ranch have provided both financial returns and personal satisfaction. Choose properties that serve your lifestyle, not just your investment goals.
Know when to walk away from properties that no longer serve your needs. Roberts has sold several houses when circumstances changed, avoiding the trap of holding onto unsuitable investments. Successful real estate ownership requires flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing life situations. Don’t let emotional attachment override practical decision-making when necessary.
Finally, Roberts demonstrates that celebrity real estate success requires the same fundamentals as any investor: patience, research, and smart timing. Her Julia Roberts house portfolio reflects decades of thoughtful decisions rather than impulsive celebrity purchases. The result is lasting wealth and genuine lifestyle enhancement through strategic property ownership.
