Worlds Best Homes

Tour movie icon Doris Day’s former California home – on sale for $7.4 million

The Hollywood star's butter-colored 8.62 acre Californian property is on the market, the proceeds of which will all go to charity

Doris Day house
(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Actress, singer and animal welfare activist, Doris Day was one of the biggest stars of the '50s and '60s, considered by most to be the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

She soon became a household name after her performances in smash hit movies such as Calamity Jane and Pillow Talk. She even took a turn as a Hitchcock heroine in The Man That Knew Too Much

Following her death in 2019 at the age of 97, there were questions about what would happen to the Doris Day house in California.

Take the tour below – and see more of the world's best homes on our dedicated page.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The secluded 8.62 acre property is now on sale for $7.4 million. Surrounded by oak trees, the star's 7000 sq ft plus Caramel Valley home includes six bedrooms and eight bathrooms across the main home, two gatehouse apartments and separate guest house cottage.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Built in 1980, the traditional family home is full of quirks fitting the celebrity actress, singer and animal welfare activist. 

The compound includes a 100-square foot enclosed ‘cattery’ and a large dog-care area with a separate kitchen. 

To celebrate Day’s activism and charity work all proceeds from the home’s sale will go to the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The traditional main house is painted a sunny yellow that looks like it came straight out of a storybook, or Doris Day film. In fact the home’s spiral staircase is the same one that featured in Day’s sitcom The Doris Day Show.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Inside the main home is just as spectacular. The space is filled with light, thanks to the large windows and lofted ceilings. The open plan kitchen is painted a buttery yellow with shaker style cabinets. Yellow is an ongoing theme in the property, adding warmth to each room.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

However, the best room in the entire property has to be Doris Day’s spacious bedroom which includes its own sitting area and fireplace.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Manicured lawns, oak trees and flowers line the property. All of them would have been tended to at some point by the women of the house, Doris Day, who loved gardening. 

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

The whole property is littered with outdoor courtyards, filled with fireplaces and water features. There are also a number of dog walking paths for her beloved pets.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Overlooking the tQuail Lodge Golf Course and the adjacent Santa Lucia mountain range, the views from a secluded celebrity compound don’t get much better than this.

Doris-Day-California-home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Listed with Doug and Lisa Steiny from Sotheby’s International Realty Carmel Rancho Brokerage.

Doris-Day-California-Home

(Image credit: Wayne Capili for Sotheby’s International Realty)

Is Doris Day's house in Carmel for sale?

For the first time, the Doris Day house in Carmel is on sale. Priced at $7.4 million, the pretty yellow 7,000 sq foot home sits on over eight acres of land.

News Editor

Rebecca is the News Editor on Homes and Gardens. She has been working as a homes and interiors journalist for over four years. She first discovered her love of interiors while interning at Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country during my Masters in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. After graduating she started out as a feature writer for Women's Weekly magazines, before shifting over to online journalism and joining the Ideal Home digital team covering news and features. She is passionate about shopping for well-crafted home decor and sourcing second-hand antique furniture where possible.