SpaceX’s historic IPO has created a wave of new millionaires in Southern California, many of them engineers and executives based near Hawthorne. As they plan how to use this wealth, one question keeps coming up: where should a new SpaceX millionaire buy a home in Los Angeles and the surrounding coastal communities?
As a lifelong resident who grew up walking and biking these same streets, and now as a luxury real estate professional, I have watched these neighborhoods evolve from quiet beach towns and suburban pockets into some of the most competitive luxury markets in the country.
What SpaceX Millionaires Are Looking For In A Home
Most new SpaceX buyers share a similar set of priorities.
A primary residence close enough to Hawthorne for a realistic commute
Higher price ranges, often starting around five million dollars, with ocean views, pools and at least four bedrooms
Strong schools, neighborhood character, privacy and long term value, not just a flashy address
This pattern is reshaping demand in a few key areas along the South Bay and Silicon Beach corridor.
South Bay Beach Cities: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes
For many SpaceX employees, the South Bay is the first stop in their home search.
Here is why:
Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach offer a practical commute to the SpaceX campus while delivering true beach living
Buyers are actively targeting homes priced above five million dollars, especially those with ocean views, pools and family‑friendly layouts
Inventory on prime streets is tight, creating competition and upward pressure on prices as more SpaceX wealth becomes available
When I walk through Manhattan Beach today, I still remember the smaller cottages and surf shacks that lined these blocks when I was a kid. Over the years, I watched those homes gradually transform into modern luxury builds. That history helps me see which streets have proven themselves over time and which pockets are still evolving.
Silicon Beach: Venice And Santa Monica
Another cluster of SpaceX buyers is looking toward Silicon Beach.
Venice and Santa Monica attract buyers who want:
A blend of coastal living and creative, tech driven energy
Walkable neighborhoods with cafes, fitness studios and boutique retail
Proximity to tech companies, media firms and startup communities
Demand here is strong for properties with modern finishes, flexible work from home spaces and easy access to both the beach and the office. I remember visiting Santa Monica as a kid when the tech presence was just beginning. Watching it grow into a true hub for creative and digital industries gives me a long view on how these neighborhoods can continue to evolve for today’s buyers.
Brentwood And Westside Estates: Trophy Homes For Top Executives
For the highest tier of SpaceX beneficiaries, including senior leaders and early investors, Westside neighborhoods such as Brentwood are already in focus.
These buyers tend to look for:
Architecturally significant homes on larger lots
Quiet, tree lined streets with a sense of privacy and permanence
Close access to top private schools, clubs and services
Having watched these streets change over the years, I know how certain blocks quietly gain prestige and hold value, even as the city around them becomes busier and more complex. This perspective is important when you are making decisions at the very top of the market.
The West Valley: Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Woodland Hills, Tarzana
While headlines often focus on the coast, another powerful story is unfolding in the West Valley.
Luxury buyers, including those in entertainment and tech, are increasingly drawn to:
Gated communities with strong security and privacy, such as Hidden Hills and parts of Calabasas
Larger lots with mature trees, pools, studios, gyms and expanded home office space
A calmer, more controlled environment for families and public figures
Reasonable access to major freeways, studios and coastal hubs
When I was a boy, many of these neighborhoods felt almost like secrets known mainly to locals. Over time, they grew into some of the most respected gated communities in Southern California, yet they still retain much of that original calm and space. That evolution is part of what makes them so compelling for buyers who value privacy as much as lifestyle.
Why Calabasas Is More Desirable Than Beverly Hills For Many Families
For families, especially those balancing demanding careers with raising children, Calabasas often outperforms Beverly Hills on several important levels.
Schools
Families consistently rank schools near the top of their priorities, and the public and private school options in and around Calabasas are a major draw. Many parents feel they get excellent academics, strong extracurriculars and a supportive community without some of the intense pressure and congestion that can come with more urban districts.Lifestyle And Community
Calabasas offers a more relaxed, neighborhood focused lifestyle. Parks, trails, nearby recreation areas and a true sense of community make day to day life feel grounded. Compared with the traffic and constant spotlight of Beverly Hills, Calabasas gives families room to breathe and grow while still enjoying upscale dining, shopping and amenities.Privacy And Space
Beverly Hills is iconic, but it is also busy, central and very public. Calabasas, especially within its gated communities, gives families more land, more separation between homes and a greater sense of safety and discretion. Driveways feel less exposed, streets feel quieter and children grow up with more usable outdoor space.Value For The Dollar
In many cases, the same budget that buys a smaller, more compact property in Beverly Hills can secure a larger, more functional home in Calabasas. Families get more square footage, more yard, more garage and more flexibility for home offices, gyms and studios, while still being connected to the greater Los Angeles area.
For SpaceX buyers who have become newly visible in their industries, or who simply want a balanced environment for their families, Calabasas offers a compelling alternative to Beverly Hills. It combines quality schools, a strong sense of community, excellent lifestyle amenities and real privacy in a way that fits how many modern families actually live.
How SpaceX Millionaires Are Structuring Their Real Estate Moves
Because this wealth arrives through stock and lockups, timing and structure matter.
Common strategies include:
Using lending solutions backed by equity rather than immediately selling large amounts of stock
Prioritizing a primary residence near Hawthorne or along the South Bay and Silicon Beach corridor
Planning a second home later, often in gated communities or vacation destinations such as Palm Springs, Mammoth or Tahoe
This can create multiple waves of demand: initial upgrades for some buyers, followed by larger, more strategic moves as additional equity becomes available.
How To Decide Where To Buy As A New SpaceX Millionaire
If you are a SpaceX employee or investor planning your first major home purchase after the IPO, start with three simple questions:
How important is your daily commute to Hawthorne or other work hubs?
Do you feel most at home in a family beach town, a creative coastal district, a quiet Westside estate neighborhood or a private gated community in the Valley?
How much weight do you place on schools, privacy and long term neighborhood stability?
Your answers will naturally point toward South Bay beach cities, Silicon Beach, Brentwood and the Westside, or West Valley gated communities like Calabasas and Hidden Hills. From there, the work becomes very specific: identifying streets, property types and price ranges that truly match your life.
My role is to connect those answers with the neighborhoods I have walked, lived in and studied for decades.
Why Local Experience Matters Right Now
Every major wealth event brings new buyers into the market. SpaceX is unique because of its scale, its timing and its focus around a very specific part of Southern California.
I bring a combination of:
Personal history as someone who grew up in these neighborhoods and walked these streets as a child
Long term observation of how South Bay, Silicon Beach, Brentwood and the West Valley have evolved
Professional experience advising high net worth clients on both coastal and gated luxury properties
I know where these neighborhoods started, how they arrived at their current values and where demand is likely to go as more SpaceX wealth enters the market.
If you are a new SpaceX millionaire thinking about your next move in Southern California real estate, I am available for a private, tailored conversation about which neighborhood and property type will truly fit your life over the next decade.
Author Bio
Nathaniel Pitchon‑Getzels is a lifelong Southern California resident and luxury real estate professional with Christie's International Real Estate, specializing in coastal and gated communities from the South Bay to Calabasas and Hidden Hills. His partner at The Getzels Group is a long time resident of The Oaks in Calabasas, giving their team deep, on the ground insight into one of the area’s most sought after gated communities and the lifestyle it offers to families and high net worth buyers.