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Explore these 7 extraordinary estates in Northern California

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

Northern California presents a diverse array of luxury homes that blend historic charm with technological innovation. A Los Altos Hills residence stands out for its robust design, built with steel, concrete, and copper to withstand brush fires while offering modern luxury features like a two-sided fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass. A storied Gold Rush-era ranch, AP Ranch, now for sale, spans nearly 14,000 acres and features multiple homes, barns, and scenic rivers, inviting buyers to continue its ranching legacy.

Other remarkable properties include Jon Rubinstein’s extensively renovated Beaux-Arts home in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights, and a contemporary Sacramento estate, once home to NBA player Harrison Barnes, prized for privacy and serene landscaping. These homes exemplify how Northern California's most exclusive addresses artfully merge legacy with forward-thinking design.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

AP Ranch in Gazelle, California, stretches 14,000 acres, about the size of Manhattan, N.Y. By California Outdoor Properties

NO. 1: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RANCH ESTABLISHED IN GOLD RUSH ERA IS UP FOR SALE. TAKE A LOOK

Own a slice of the American West. | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

Unit 4 at 2006 Washington St. in San Francisco has views from every direction.

NO. 2: APPLE ‘PODFATHER’ PUTS ‘BEST OF BEST’ LUX SAN FRANCISCO HOME ON MARKET AT $25.5M. SEE IT

The full-floor unit has views of the city and the bay in every direction. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The former home of Robin Williams has views of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

NO. 3: SEE EXTRAORDINARY SAN FRANCISCO SEASIDE VILLA WHERE ROBIN WILLIAMS RAISED KIDS — $18M SALE

The home was originally built in 1926 so a shipping magnate could admire his fleet on the bay. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The 6,600-square-foot Arden Arcade home sold for $4.3 million. It has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

NO. 4: SEE MODERN, CHIC SACRAMENTO HOME WHERE FORMER KINGS PLAYER HARRISON BARNES RAISED FAMILY

He spent five years in the private home before being traded to the Spurs. | Published February 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The Placerville, California estate for sale for $2.25 million in the Sierra foothills sits on 99 acres.

NO. 5: ‘MAGICAL’ ESTATE OFFERS 360-DEGREE MOUNTAIN, RIVER AND VINEYARD VIEWS EAST OF SACRAMENTO

The $2.25 million ridge-top property overlooks Chili Bar, known for its whitewater experience, in the distance. | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The Grand Penthouse in the tower at 181 Fremont St. in San Francisco is on the market for $35 million.

NO. 6: SEE ULTRA LUXURY S.F. PENTHOUSE, HIGHEST CONDO WEST OF CHICAGO, FOR SALE AT $35M

Views span from San Francisco Bay to the Marin Headlands, from the city’s skyline to all four bridges and across four counties. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The $8 million home for sale in Los Altos Hills, on the edge of Silicon Valley, is built from steel, concrete and glass.

NO. 7: SEE $8M NORCAL HOME BUILT TO RESIST FIRES — AND TO DAZZLE WITH ITS MODERN DESIGN

The 4,800-square-foot residence is built with concrete block, steel, glass and some copper. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.