A century ago, Malibu was one family’s personal playground. The heiress of the Spanish land grant that included Malibu grew up hiking, horseback riding, and boating. She later married the ranch foreman and built a Spanish-style mansion by the sea that would become regarded as one of California’s most exquisite homes.

Over time, the family was forced to relinquish more and more of their land. The state bought the Adamson House with plans to level it and build a huge parking lot. The home was saved only after a decade-long fight by preservationists. “Today,” wrote Curbed Los Angeles, “it is part of the Malibu Lagoon State Beach, and is open for tours, a permanent monument to the family that discovered the beauty of Malibu, and for a time kept the magic all to themselves.” Curbed Los Angeles

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