An extraordinary 1,225-acre, Tuscan-inspired legacy compound that once belonged to the co-founder of weight management company Herbalife has hit the market in California for the staggering price of $25 million.
Located in San Juan Capistrano, the property is a cornucopia of luxury amenities, not least the private wildlife sanctuary that is spread across a large portion of its acreage. It is anchored by a stunning primary residence, a guesthouse, and staff quarters.
The property is known as Marconi Ranch in honor of its late owner, Dick Marconi, a race car driver who helped to launch Herbalife, while also founding the Marconi Automotive Museum & Foundation for Kids.
Marconi Ranch is unlike anything else on the market, according to listing agent Lance W. Doré of California Outdoor Properties.
“You don’t see these types of properties with headquarters-style amenities come on the market that often,” he says. “This one has got the full package.”
Other jaw-dropping amenities of the estate include a chapel, art/recording studio, wine/cigar lounge, observatory, saltwater pool, gazebo, and equestrian facilities. On the land, you’ll find thousands of lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, and olive trees, a lake, and private ponds.
“San Juan Capistrano meets Italy with this 1,225-acre ranch and estate,” the listing states. “If you ever dreamed of being a gentleman farmer living in the hills of Italy but didn’t want to leave Southern California, you have found your place in the Tuscan sun.”
The property, which is conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Diego—is fully self-sustaining. It can operate uninterrupted, even in the event of a disaster.
The property has “its own generator, so it is completely off-grid,” Doré notes. “Los Angeles and Orange County are right there, and you are 20 minutes away from downtown San Juan Capistrano.”
Doré believes the estate could be sold to a diverse group of buyers.
“It could be a family compound for a high net worth individual who wants resort-style amenities to enjoy with their extended family, or it could be used as a wellness center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, an art conclave, artist colony, or general retreat,” he says.
“It might also be someone who lives in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, who wants to be able to spread out and consider a weekend place.”
Prospective buyers should keep in mind that they will be taking over the care of the one-of-a-kind home as well as that of the exotic animals that live on the property, including antelope and zebras.
“Dick Marconi had an affinity for having his own private wildlife sanctuary,” Doré says. “At one point, he had two giraffes, but they passed away. There are African antelope, zebras, and a llama that are included with the sale.”
Built in 1979, the property was originally the home of Bruce Brown, who directed the surf documentary “The Endless Summer.”
However, Marconi is credited with transforming the property into the Italian-inspired retreat that exists today, with Mansion Global reporting that he continued tinkering with the estate throughout the three decades that he owned it.
Given the property’s heavy emphasis on wildlife and the beauty of nature, Doré believes that it would be the perfect place to help a future owner’s creativity flourish.
“It definitely caters to an artist, painter, or creative-type person,” Doré notes. “It has a nice vibe for that.”
Marconi, who died in 2024, owned the home for 30 years before his death, having purchased it for the relatively paltry price of $1.2 million in May 1994, according to records.
He dabbled with selling the home in February 2022, listing it for $22.95 million, but took it off the market one year later.
The property came back on the market in February 2024, just five months before Marconi died, for the even higher price of $33 million. It was relisted at its current price of $25 million on Feb. 25 of this year.