‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Lists California Ranch for $33 Million

By Katie Schultz

After over two decades of ownership, filmmaker James Cameron is letting go of his 100-acre coastal California ranch. The Avatar and Titanic director is asking $33 million for the estate, which is set in Hollister Ranch, a gated residential community boasting largely undeveloped stretches of beaches, bluffs, and grasslands. A main house sided with rustic wood, a guest house, two barns, equestrian facilities, and a ranch office all rest on the sprawling plot, which also features pastures, trails, impressive vegetable gardens, a private well, solar panels, and a wind generator.

Reportedly, the movie mogul wrote some of Avatar and its sequel in an upstairs office of the 8,000-square-foot home, taking inspiration from the ocean views. To take full advantage of that surrounding natural beauty, the five-bedroom and seven-bathroom dwelling boasts a generous dose of wall-to-wall glass, particularly in the airy vaulted ceiling great room, which also has a stone fireplace and quartzite flagstone floors.

The kitchen in the property’s main house.

A formal dining room pairs the stone floors with a dark wood dining set and views of the surrounding bluffs and vegetable gardens. Nearby, the spacious but homey kitchen features wood cabinetry and a large eat-in island topped with a circular cast iron pot rack that doubles as a light fixture. The nature-inspired home also hosts an exercise room, a media room, and a game room.

The view from the swimming pool.

Just outside, a lagoon-style pool and spa are surrounded by lush tropical greenery, while a small stone island set inside the pool has baby palm trees sprouting out of it. A nearby stone-paved patio is set up for poolside dining with a panoramic ocean view. Elsewhere on the property, a guest house enjoys its own terrace and driveway and overlooks the nearby Drake’s Beach.

Emily Kellenberger of Village Properties/Forbes Global Properties and Jeff Kruthers of Hollister Ranch Realty have the listing.

Become an AD PRO member and save 20% on the annual offer