Michael McDonald’s Striking Santa Barbara Home Woos the Market for $4.6M

By Brittany Natale
Jul 11, 2024
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Singer Michael McDonald, member of The Doobie Brothers and backing vocalist extraordinaire, just put his picturesque Santa Barbara, CA, estate on the market.

The yacht rock captain is seeking $4.6 million for his residence along the California coast.

This more-than-3,000-square-foot stunner has two bedrooms and three bathrooms. Built in 1995, McDonald purchased the single-story, modern farmhouse in 2014 for $2,215,000.

In 2018, the residence underwent an extensive renovation, which included a standing-seam metal roof.

McDonald is no stranger to real estate. In 2019, he sold his spacious, 2-acre Maui property for $3.9 million. He also parted ways with a lovely Lahaina cottage a couple of years before that.

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The nearly 4-acre property has gorgeous mountain and ocean views.

(Realtor.com)

A lovely layout

Nestled near the Santa Ynez mountain range, this picturesque pad has everything a buyer might desire.

For starters, it boasts an open floor plan with a bright, airy feel.

The spacious living room features an eco-friendly, vaulted, wood-beamed ceiling; a sandstone fireplace; and double-wide sliding doors that lead to a flagstone terrace.

Meanwhile, the kitchen is handsomely outfitted with quartzite counters, an oversized seated center island, hidden appliances, a farmhouse sink, and open shelving.

And you can enjoy your meals in the dining room area, where a sparkling chandelier and wainscoting elevate the vibe.

Other standout details include arched doorways, light hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

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It boasts an open floor plan.

(Realtor.com)

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The main area has a vaulted, wood-beamed ceiling.

(Realtor.com)

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Quartzite countertops make for a lovely kitchen design.

(Realtor.com)

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There’s also a dining area with a stately chandelier.

(Realtor.com)

Outdoor oasis

The primary suite has two walk-in closets, a double-sided fireplace, and a private porch. Meanwhile, the second bedroom has an en suite bathroom and a balcony with canyon views.

Additional rooms include a home office, walk-in pantry, laundry room, and a huge basement. And beyond its impressive interior, this property also has a fantastic backyard.

The 3.8-acre lot boasts fruit trees, an outdoor kitchen, lush gardens, and a pool with a spa. The majestic mountain and ocean views are also nothing to sniff at.

Lastly, there’s a fully finished garage that could be repurposed into a game room or an extra bedroom.

You can see photos taken at the house in a recent New York Times profile of McDonald, who just published a memoir titled “What a Fool Believes.”

McDonald, 72, has contributed his vocal talents to a number of memorable songs. He joined The Doobie Brothers in 1975 as the band’s lead vocalist. He’s won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 with The Doobie Brothers.

Randy White contributed to this report.

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The primary suite has two walk-in closets.

(Realtor.com)

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The primary bath offers a soak with a view.

(Realtor.com)

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Out back, there’s a pool and an open-air kitchen.

(Realtor.com)