Dr. Seuss’ Iconic La Jolla Home Lists for $10 Million — A Piece of San Diego Literary History

One of the most legendary homes in San Diego just hit the market — and it’s not just any luxury listing.

The longtime La Jolla residence of Dr. Seuss, where the beloved author created many of the world’s most famous children’s books, is now listed for nearly $10 million, offering panoramic views of the Southern California coastline and a rare chance to own a true piece of cultural history.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot estate sits on 1.51 acres at 7301 Encelia Drive and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool, and a separate pool house. But what makes the property extraordinary isn’t just its size or location — it’s the story behind it.

(Click the photo to see the listing)

Where Dr. Seuss Created a Legacy

Dr. Seuss — born Theodor Seuss Geisel — lived in the home for over 40 years. During that time, he wrote 42 of his 68 published works inside the property, including timeless classics like The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and The Lorax.

The home was originally built in 1950 by noted architect Thomas Shepherd and thoughtfully designed around a pre-existing Spanish Revival observation tower dating back to the early 1920s. That tower — along with Geisel’s preserved office — remains historically protected and cannot be altered, preserving the creative space exactly as it was when the author worked there.

Few homes can claim to have shaped global culture. This one literally did.

Second-to-None Coastal Views

The property’s elevated position delivers sweeping ocean views stretching up the coastline — a perspective many local agents describe as unmatched in La Jolla. The observation tower was originally constructed specifically to showcase that vista, and it remains one of the most distinctive architectural features on the property.

It’s easy to imagine how the setting inspired imagination.

A Rare and Complex Sale

After Geisel’s passing in 1991 and his wife Audrey’s death in 2018, the home was donated to UC San Diego. The university has since prepared the property for sale under specific legal guidelines that require extended public marketing before offers can be accepted.

Interest has been intense. Surrounding lots previously owned by UCSD sold last year for a combined $9 million, signaling the extraordinary value of this location alone — even without the historic significance.

This listing is expected to attract global attention from collectors, preservationists, and luxury buyers who recognize that opportunities like this are exceptionally rare.

A Timeless Piece of San Diego History

Luxury homes come and go. Trophy properties appear every year. But a residence where one of America’s most influential authors built his legacy?

That’s a once-in-a-generation listing.

And fittingly, as the home returns to the market, a newly discovered Dr. Seuss manuscript is set to be published this year — a reminder that his influence continues to shape generations of readers.

La Jolla has long been home to architectural gems and world-class estates. This one stands apart — not just for its views, but for the imagination that lived inside its walls.