It’s no secret that White Christmas crooner Bing Crosby’s favorite place to be was in the middle of a golf course. He spent so much time playing golf and perfecting his game that he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. While his peers were buying their vacation houses in Palm Springs, Crosby chose nearby Thunderbird Heights with its 10 golf courses.
Were he still with us today, he would be thrilled that it now sports 17! It was natural for President John F. Kennedy, with his seven handicaps, to play with Bing. In fact, Crosby dedicated an entire wing of his house to Kennedy for his own private living quarters while enjoying golf in the warm California climate.
Crosby’s mid-century modern home there, spread out across its 1.36 acres, is now for sale at $4.5 million.
Covered porches with huge rounded columns connected by curved paving. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The garage is spacious and includes a skylit porch. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Entertaining area with a stone fireplace, a billiards table, and a large bar. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The bar has a raised snack counter and four contemporary stools. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
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Oversized sliding glass doors blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, black granite countertops, and a large island. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
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Powder room with a vessel sink vanity and bold red walls adorned with an intricate mirror and framed artworks. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
This bedroom features rustic wooden furnishings over carpet flooring. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Bathroom with a large vanity, a toilet, and a walk-in shower encased in curved glass blocks.
This bedroom offers a comfortable sitting area complete with a TV. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Colorful decors and towels bring a cheerful vibe to this bathroom. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The primary suite is spacious and it features multiple sitting areas plus its own fireplace. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
A spacious walk-in closet with a Cleopatra bench and mirrored cabinets. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The media room is dark and cozy. It offers a comfy leather sofa and a matching ottoman. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The bathroom features a large vanity topped with blue vessel sinks and a rectangular frameless mirror. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The JFK wing includes a bright living area with red leather seats. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The second bedroom in the Kennedy wing offers twin beds. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Another bathroom with dual sink vanity and a walk-in shower enclosed in glass bricks. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The backyard boasts a wonderful pool and spa adorned with fire bowls. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Warm lights from the fire bowls radiate a romantic atmosphere to the outdoor space. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The expansive outdoor living includes stunning mountain views. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Outdoor dining with a round dining set over a patterned rug. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
The house also includes a nice outdoor shower with a tiled bench and glass block walls. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Aerial view of the sprawling estate surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Located in a gated community, Bing’s ranch-style home is complemented with grand views of mountains and city lights. Built in 1957 for indoor and outdoor living and entertaining, the 6,700-square-foot home contains a total of six bedrooms and six baths. It includes the attached casita, named after President Kennedy, with two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, and a complete kitchen with its own private entrance.
The casita is completely private and was named for the President after he stayed there, as the legend goes, with Marilyn Monroe. Features include custom Moroccan wood entry doors, open-and-airy formal living and dining rooms, media room, and chef’s kitchen with granite-and-stainless steel. All glass walls surrounding the outdoor entertainment area retract and open the house seamlessly to the pool, patios, outdoor kitchen, and bar with mountain and Coachella Valley views from its elevated lot.
The now highly exclusive Thunderbird Heights started its beginnings as an onion field, but in 1950, a group of investors, including Bob Hope and Desi Arnaz, were looking for a spot for a country club. They zeroed in on the onion field and the development took on a life of its own. It has turned into one of the most coveted spots for celebrity vacation homes in Southern California, now home to major golf tournaments and festivals known around the world.
Listing agents are David Emerson and Alexandra Trejo of Compass, David Emerson & Associates, Palm Springs.
Jon Dykstra owns an interior design company in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He's fascinated by architecture and interiors. He also enjoys gardening at his "house in the burbs" and "homesteading" at his off-the-grid boat-access cabin.
Combine all that with a love of writing and Homestratsophere.com was born. He balances his working time between running his interior design company, working on his off-the-grid cabin and publishing homestratosphere.com.
