The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson Once Lived In This Listed Lake Arrowhead Mountain Retreat

The modest Lake Arrowhead mountain retreat at 919 Osprey Lane is listed as a colonial farmhouse. But it really doesn’t matter if it’s a farmhouse, lake house, chalet, chateau, castle or Cape Cod. Pop music icon Brian Wilson once lived here. That makes it a beach house—forever.

The Beach Boys impresario and his wife Melinda owned the California home from 2008 to 2012. Now the current owners list the house for nearly $1.5 million, with an option to purchase a nearby dock separately for an additional $275,000. Douglas Elliman’s Bradley Feldman and Trent Mason have the listing.

The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath residence was built on a 10,790-square-foot lot in 2006 by Russell Stehmeier—designed by architect J. Adam Phillips. The charming home emits good vibrations and curb appeal—plantation shutters, cobblestone walls, white picket fence, matching garage, and a front porch beautified by vibrant yellow and white rose bushes.

Spanning 3,357 square feet, spacious interiors blend traditional décor with modern open layouts, embellished by cherrywood floors, wainscoting, high ceilings, and custom lighting.

During their residency here, the Wilsons tapped an interior designer to add some jazz and pop (color) so the house rocks beyond those interior cobblestones. Tasteful upgrades include summer white shutters, white shaker cabinets, bright lights, and hardwood floors adorned with nautical items, wall sconces, and equestrian and boating tchotchkes. Summer is in session here. This house still looks brand new.

Upon entry, the home flows through a classic center-hall layout (grand cobblestone fireplace living room to the left and formal bench-seat dining room to the right)—before transitioning to a wide open kitchen and family room.

Buoyed by wainscoting and natural sunlight, the brilliant kitchen radiates a beach vibe into the home with shaker and glass display cabinets, marble counters, and a large barstool island. The high-end stainless appliances, and a wine fridge add contrast pizazz.

Upstairs houses four bedrooms, three full baths and a home office. The master suite includes a fireplace, bench seating, bright windows, and an opulent master bath with clawfoot tub, luxury shower and marble vanities.

Bold red design accents energize each room—carpets, coverings, pillows, candles. There’s even an “elegant red leather/suede bed” in the garage (don’t ask), which the current owner assumes was Wilson’s.

At one time, Brian Wilson installed a Beach Boys-themed audio system in the house on which the legendary composer played his favorite Beach Boys Christmas playlist, as well as some unreleased songs. Spotify will due for today.

Like The Beach Boys, this is an All-American house (with patriotic American themes and symbolism). Glass French doors lead to a patio, lush lawn, flowers, and vibrant trees that pop against the house and proverbial white picket fence.

“It feels like a quintessential beach house—very light, elegant but unassuming and inviting,” says Mason. “You pass by Chateau de Fleur and other exclusive country tudors on the short walk to the lake. The setting is magical. Delicate roses line the pathway leading to the home. It’s the perfect marriage of New England style Cape Cod architecture in a pristine mountain and lake setting.”

Cape Cod? There he goes again. God Only Knows, this is a beach house! The quintessential kind, like he said. All that’s missing here is sand. Never mind that Lake Arrowhead (a former logging community) is called “The Alps of Southern California.” Water is life here. Perhaps that’s what drew Wilson and others here.

His former residence sits near Tavern Bay and Shelter Cove, where the future owner can purchase an optional exclusive dock with dock house, solar, Trex decking, and a hydraulic lift. Brian Wilson’s Trust owned a dock for their Cobalt boat. The three-car garage has tandem parking where a boat can also be stored.

Apparently, Brian Wilson is very fond of Lake Arrowhead Village, located a mile high in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest (“90 miles from just about anywhere in Southern California,” according to the town website).

Wilson sold another Lake Arrowhead chalet-style home in 2019 for $2.85 million. So you could say he gets around. No word on whether the couple still reside in the area.

But it’s that time of year. You can virtually hear Wilson’s falsetto echoing off Lake Arrowhead, just as it has every ocean wave since 1962. Wilson is the mastermind behind “California Girls”; “Fun Fun Fun”; Surfin’ USA”; “Help Me Rhonda”; “Don’t Worry Baby”; and the acclaimed album Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson’s classic songs kick off summer fun as much (if not more) than summer solstice.

His harmonies still soothe our soul. His melodies make us happy. His sunshiny themes compel us to beach cruise and buy surfboards—even if we can’t surf.

There’s no surfing on Lake Arrowhead. But Brian Wilson’s legacy still drifts on the waves and onshore in at least two “beach houses.” Because of him, the beach, waves and sun are everywhere. And if you don’t believe that, I’ve got a Cape Cod house to sell you.