Inside Bill Gates’ $43 Million Del Mar Beach House
Bill Gates’ $43 million Del Mar beach house is one of the most expensive residential purchases in San Diego County. The Microsoft founder, who acquired the beachfront property with his ex-wife Melinda in 2020, gutted the entire home, outfitting it with solar panels and a slew of luxury upgrades, which were completed in 2023.
The 5,800-square-foot coastal estate, originally designed by renowned architect Ken Ronchetti, sits on a rare 120 feet of pristine ocean frontage, making it a standout along California’s sought-after coastline.
Property Highlights
Price: $43 million
Location: Del Mar, California
Size: 5,800 square feet
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 4
Notable Features: 120 feet of ocean frontage, 2-bedroom guest house, 10-person oceanfront jacuzzi, disappearing glass walls, imported limestone, radiant heating, and pool designed with glass tile
Beachfront Living Room
As you step inside Bill Gates’ Del Mar beach house, the living room welcomes you in with a blend of rustic charm and coastal refinement.
Set beneath a soaring vaulted ceiling with exposed wood trusses, the space is designed in a creamy palette of plush sectionals and lounge chairs. Accented by soft greens and seafoam blues, drawing a direct line to the ocean air just beyond the retractable glass doors.
Just behind the seating area, a sculptural dining table extends the open-concept layout, while a mix of curated art, ambient lighting, and subtle textures elevate the space.
Relaxed Entertainment Room
Just steps from the formal living area, a more relaxed entertainment room opens to sweeping views of the Pacific. Framed by natural wood ceilings and oversized glass sliders, the space leans into coastal comfort without sacrificing design.
Plush lounges and a cloud-white chaise invite barefoot mornings and low-key evenings, while neutral tones and soft textures echo the calm just outside.
At the center of the space, a natural rock fireplace with a mounted TV above sets the tone for laid-back entertainment with the soothing sound of ocean waves in the background.
Bill’s Del Mar Bedroom
At the other end of the home, the primary suite is wrapped in warm wood and ambient lighting with tongue-and-groove ceilings echoing the architectural rhythm of the rest of the home.
Two plush tufted chairs at the foot of the rattan-framed bed create a private sitting area, perfect for reading or sipping a nightcap.
Just beyond, a softly lit vanity space hints at the spa-like en-suite bathroom tucked discreetly out of view, providing another layer of ease built into this serene coastal home.
Bedroom For The Grandkids
Tucked under a vaulted, beam-lined ceiling, the kids’ bedroom is outfitted with twin beds dressed in soft neutrals and seafoam throws, creating a playfully comfortable room without sacrificing style.
Built-in cabinetry houses a flat-screen TV and entertainment setup while natural textures, from woven baskets to a shell-framed lamp, add a hint of whimsy and nod to the home’s Pacific-facing backdrop.
Guest Bedroom
Around the corner, this guest bedroom has a wall of custom wood shelving that frames the bed, filled with ceramics, books, and personal touches that give the room warmth and dimension.
Just beyond the bed, a private terrace beckons past floor-to-ceiling glass that disappears into the wall, opening the room to sweeping views of the Pacific. With its own fireplace and cozy sitting area by the window, this suite offers guests a front-row seat to the best of oceanfront living.
Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor spaces of Bill Gates’ Del Mar beach house surround all sides of the main interior living spaces, blending luxury, privacy, and panoramic views across a series of finely designed spaces.
Luxury Pool
A long, mirror-like pool reflects the geometry of the home’s architecture and the drama of the coastal sky. Mature trees are planted on one side while the other remains open to the sea, with multiple sets of retractable glass doors blurring the threshold between inside and out.
Spa and Firepit
Just beyond the pool lies a 10-person spa encased in stone and lit from within by LED lights that shift colors as the sun dips below the horizon.
Built-in lounges face the ocean around a sunken fire pit, separated from the crashing waves by a sleek glass windscreen, making this an uninterrupted perch to watch the tide roll in.
Outdoor Lounges
Several outdoor dining and lounge terraces fill the spaces between the home and the beach. One is defined by palapa-style umbrellas and casual white furnishings offering space for both al fresco dinners and sun-drenched lounging on chaises that edge toward the ocean view.
A more sheltered lounge sits just off the main living space, centered around a rustic pergola with exposed beams and a pair of woven hanging chairs.
A fireplace built into the stucco wall adds warmth and ambiance. With proximity to the kitchen behind the glass, this patio functions as a true extension of the indoor entertaining areas.
Final Thoughts
Following his 2021 divorce from Melinda Gates, Bill Gates retained several notable properties from their shared real estate portfolio, including this $43 million Del Mar beach house and the well-known Seattle estate dubbed Xanadu 2.0.
While Xanadu 2.0 remains his primary residence, the Del Mar property offers a relaxed, coastal atmosphere more suited for downtime than business. Quiet and private, it offers a rare look into the more laid-back side of one of the world’s most high-profile figures.
