The white Beaux-Arts palace at 2080 Washington Street, facing Lafayette Park, was built in 1913 for Adolph Spreckels, heir to a sugar fortune, and his wife Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. Architect George Applegarth modeled it on a French chateau. Alma later founded the California Palace of the Legion of Honor museum.
Since 1990 the mansion has been the home of the novelist Danielle Steel, known locally for the tall, dense ficus hedge she planted around the property, which has been the subject of running disputes with the city over its height. This is a private residence. View it from the park side.
Part of a self-guided walking tour
