MOST EXPENSIVE ZIP CODES

Old San Francisco money made this town, but high-tech has kept it thriving. Tucked on the San Francisco peninsula, this wooded area is home to many computer company execs (think Apple and Cisco) and venture capitalists. Home prices, accordingly, are sky-high, and multi-million-dollar mansions are not uncommon. Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison, for example, recently put his Japanese-inspired estate on the market for $25 million. The listing agent, Mary Gullixson at Alain Pinel Realtors, also represents the pictured five-bedroom, four-bath home. Featuring handmade terra cotta steps, beamed ceilings and marble floors, it is priced at $7.65 million.

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Some people call it "Moneycito," and Oprah Winfrey's $50 million estate is just one of the reasons. Lesser known than adjoining Santa Barbara, this lush green enclave on the Pacific Ocean is home to Mediterranean-style palaces with panoramic views of mountains, sea and sky. This 11-acre estate, priced at $9.9 million, is no exception. It features Medina stone floors imported from Lebanon, wainscoting in the dining room and a glass-enclosed wine cellar. It is listed with Rebecca Riskin at Village Properties.
 

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Why Rancho Santa Fe? The weather, golf and relaxed attitude--if you can call mega-mansions relaxed. Located about 25 minutes from San Diego, the golf course-surrounded town started out as a eucalyptus plantation for Union Pacific Railway. Now, you'd be hard-pressed to find a house for under $1 million, says broker Jo Sawyer, of Prudential California Realty. Among the residents are financiers and executives, such as Brian Devine, chairman of Petco. This property, located in Spyglass Estates, which contains just18 homes, is listed at $6.75 million to $8.25 million. It has panoramic views of the ocean, lake and golf course, six bedrooms, a eucalyptus-paneled office, a vanishing-edge pool and a putting green.
 

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Some consider Newport Beach, and especially Balboa Island, to be the Hamptons of Southern California, but it's probably a little more beach bum than that. Balboa has just 1,450 homes and two tiny commercial streets. You can stroll the entire perimeter of the island on the boardwalk, checking out the Cape Cod-cute homes. One of just a few currently on the market in this ZIP, this waterfront house has three bedrooms, cherry cabinets and a private dock. It is listed at $4.48 million with Laura Gale at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage--Balboa Island.

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One of the more secluded areas of Long Island's Gold Coast, Mill Neck still has the kinds of estates that prompted F. Scott Fitzgerald to set The Great Gatsby on the north shore. Only today, the 40-minute commute to Manhattan draws high-powered executives. The live at the ends of long driveways--more modestly than their predecessors but far more lavishly than most Americans. The architecture tends towards recently built Georgian-style mansions, which can set you back up to $15 million. The nearby village of Locust Valley has antiques stores, and you will not want for golf clubs or boating facilities. This Seeks Lane home has six bedrooms, elaborate moldings and is fully wired. The swimming pool and hot tub are surrounded by about three acres of landscaped grounds. It is listed with Ludmilla Stanco at Prudential Elliman

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Add Connecticut to California and you get the wealthy town of Ross, with its large houses and tree-lined streets. About 45 minutes from San Francisco, it's home to many modern commuters, but remains so traditional that mail is still not delivered to homes. Instead, neighbors cross paths at the post office. This Marin County home was one of the first to go from a summer house to a full-time residence. Built in the 1880s, the house's miniature ballroom has been turned into a living room, and the circular driveway now accommodates cars rather than carriages. The one-acre plot has tennis courts and a swimming pool, and the home has a wine cellar, original windows and crystal chandeliers. It is listed with Marilyn Rich at Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate.
 

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Take the beauty of Lake Tahoe, toss in the fact that Nevada is a mostly tax-free state and you begin to see why California money has made this Nevada ZIP one of the most expensive in the country. Crystal Bay is just three-and-a-half hours from San Francisco and two hours from Sacramento, and a limited supply of properties has been pushing prices ever-higher. This house has rare log construction, but is far from a cabin. It has four bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths and nearly two acres of land. For a piece of lakefront property, the $8.5 million asking price is hardly extraordinary--homes can go for up to $20 million here, says broker Tom Bruno of Tanager Realty. He has the listing with Brian McGeever.

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Though not nationally known, this New Jersey town is one of the richest in the country. Just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, its massive (and relatively new) estates are home to celebrities such as musician Stevie Wonder, actor/comedian Chris Rock and Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield, as well as miscellaneous diplomats and financiers. Properties now fetch almost $2.5 million per acre, and the most expensive home in the state is here, priced at $40 million. Compared with that, this Alpine mansion seems like a steal. Built in the 1990s, the Colonial-style manor has four acres of land and 13,000 square feet of space on just the first two floors. It features high ceilings and solid mahogany windows, along with a swimming pool, tennis court and koi pond. The property is listed with Dennis McCormack of Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty.


 

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In New Jersey's horse country, lovely old estates still spread their wings. Established in the late 1880s as a suburb of Morristown, then one of the richest communities in the country, New Vernon later became the place to build country estate. It's still home to well-heeled families, some of whom have been here for generations. Among the prominent mansions that remain is Fawn Hill Farm, built in 1937 by businessman Allan Kirby. The 21-room stone manor has been restored and is again a working farm. Its amenities include eight fireplaces, elaborate moldings, a bowling alley and a marble-topped wet bar. It's priced at $14.5 million and listed at with Jack Turpin at Turpin Realtors.

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Santa Monica, located on three miles of Pacific Ocean beachfront, is part bohemian, part movie star and part Hollywood mogul. Historically it was relatively quiet and modest, though film royalty have always built homes here. The town has mid-century moderns and 1920s and 30s Craftsman homes, but bungalows have steadily been giving way to major mansions. Among the celebrities who call Santa Monica home are actors Jeff Bridges, Jane Fonda and Martin Sheen. Up-and-coming stars might choose this Mediterranean-style mansion. With four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, it is listed for $6.5 million and has stone floors, a swimming pool and ocean frontage. Dawn Ross at Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North is the agent.

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The Triangle Below Canal, better known as TriBeCa, has shifted from industrial spaces to luxury lofts that draw artists, actors and models--not to mention the high-paid lawyers and investment bankers who follow in their residential footsteps. The cobblestone streets lend charm, and the boutiques, art galleries and uber-chic restaurants add cachet. Playwright Edward Albee lives here, as do actors Robert DeNiro and Heather Graham. Wealthy urban families also love the amount of space you can get. For example, this classic loft condo totals 4,800 square feet. The five-bedroom spread includes 12-foot ceilings, brick arches, a gourmet kitchen, terrace and parking space. It is listed with Barrie Mandel, Reid Price and Stephanie Gaasterland of The Corcoran Group.

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 Few have heard of this secluded neighborhood on the Chesapeake Bay between Baltimore and Annapolis. The surrounding area caters to the boating crowd, with marinas, docks and waterfront homes. Gibson Island, a gated waterfront community, doesn't have some of the super-high-priced properties that other ZIPs do, but its homes consistently sell for around $2 million. This 3,340-square foot home was built on the waterfront in the 1920s. Its two wings embrace a flagstone courtyard, and a private pier and beach. It has five bedrooms, five baths and two fireplaces. It is listed with Dave Wright at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage--Annapolis Church. The asking price is $2.5 million.

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What can be said about the most notorious ZIP code in the country? Beverly Hills has long been movie star central--an entire neighborhood dedicated to conspicuous consumption. Its curving, palm-lined streets are home to gated mega-mansions that range from Mediterranean-style to modern. This house is a Tuscan flower planted in California soil. The wrought-iron gates guard 17 rooms, including a wine cellar and double-height living room. Priced at $5.9 million, it is listed with Steve Lewis at Hilton and Hyland.

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Greenwich might as well have been named for the money that resides here on Long Island Sound, within a short distance of Manhattan. The convenience, prestige and stock of huge houses has made the once-quiet town a favorite for hedge funders, investment bankers and even celebrities who want out of the urban lifestyle. Currently, one property is on the market for about $22.5 million. This one is a little cheaper; a new, eight-acre estate for $15.5 million. Quaker Ridge Farm has a main house sided in clapboard, with Palladian windows, solid mahogany doors and herringbone brick fireplaces. The guesthouse alone totals about 3,000 square feet. It is listed with Renee Haggquist and James Lacerenza at Sotheby's International Realty.

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Known by some locals as Billionaire's Island, Fisher Island lets you live like the Vanderbilts. The 216-acre island was once a winter retreat for the family; now it's a private residential community where residents and visitors are waited on with care. It has two deep-water marinas, 18 tennis courts and a championship golf course. The old Vanderbilt mansion was turned into the main clubhouse and the former guest cottages into homes. Residents include Oprah Winfrey and Mel Brooks. Built in 1990, this oceanside penthouse with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths is on the market for approximately $8 million. It is listed with Omar Scandura at Carson Realty Group.

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This old golfing community at the base of Mt. Diablo was once where San Francisco residents had charming summer homes. Though it still has old-world charm, with tree-lined streets and large lots, it's now a high-priced bedroom community. There are currently only 13 houses up for sale, including this 30-year-old Tudor-inspired manor, listed at $6.2 million. The country kitchen seats 15, and the six bedrooms can accommodate a large family. The music room has 28-foot ceilings. Upstairs, the bar in the pub was imported from England. The property is listed with Rene Ferland at RE/MAX Accord. It is listed at $2.5 million.

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Buying a house in Los Altos? Not if a Google millionaire gets there first. The neighborhood is in the Silicon Valley hills and has a village charm that is hard to come by in Palo Alto or Menlo Park. It also has far more moderate temperatures than San Francisco or other suburbs. This ZIP has a range of homes, from mega-mansions that go for several million dollars to more modest homes that are priced in the $2 million range. Even condos start at a few hundred thousand dollars. This four-bedroom, four-bath Spanish-style estate is priced at $3.3 million. It has a wood-beamed family room, gourmet kitchen, artist's studio, rose garden, swimming pool and spa. It is listed with Jo Buchanan and David Troyer at Coldwell Banker

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Newport Coast is sometimes known as the "Pacific Riviera," as though it needs a nickname. Developed in the 1980s, this patch of gated communities occupies the California coastline between Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. Most of the land is dedicated to open space or golf courses, and many of the homes (strictly Mediterranean style, of course) have panoramic views of the harbor. And whereas some communities are trying to keep out large houses, this neighborhood doesn't want small homes. Multi-million-dollar residences are the norm, so it's not surprising that this opulent estate, which has a hand-carved wine grotto, Baccarat chandeliers and hand-painted French wallpaper, is priced at $17.9 million. It is listed with John McMonigle at Coldwell Banker Newport Beach.

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Nicasio is perhaps best known for Star Wars creator George Lucas, who built his headquarters, Skywalker Ranch, in this old ranching town. The population is under 1,000, but more and more people are being drawn to the countryside. Prices aren't astronomical, but these days they don't dip much below $2 million. This estate, atop a small hill, has six bedrooms, four baths, high, peaked ceilings and a rock-edged swimming pool with views of the surrounding green hills. It is priced at about $2.5 million and is available through Tonie Fowler at Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate.

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Don't expect to find a parcel for under a million dollars in the Greenwich neighborhood of Riverside. It's exclusive wrapped in exclusive, and known for large estates and horse farms. A shy newcomer might try this waterfront colonial, priced at around $3.5 million. Built in 1999 on about one-third of an acre, it is very private but has all the amenities: high ceilings, fireplaces and even a gardening room. It is listed with Julianne Ward at Prudential Connecticut Realty.

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Close to the oceans and the mountains, and in a top school district, hilly Pacific Palisades is a hot spot for wealthy families and celebrities alike. Located between Santa Monica and Malibu, its building restrictions (no structure can be more than two stories above ground) help maintain the village atmosphere. It has a more moderate climate and cleaner and cooler air than other parts of the city. It's not unusual to spot famous residents, such as Steven Spielberg, Billy Crystal and Sugar Ray Leonard. This house, set on a private, gated hill, is priced at $2.9 million. It has formal living, dining and family rooms, a backyard pavilion, swimming pool and paddle-tennis court. It is listed with Mike Edlen at Coldwell Banker.


Data source: Forbes Magazine

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