The Western White House

The American President who once lived here is gone, but his Western White House is still there and more beautiful than ever.

Casa Pacifica is the world-famous estate where American President Richard Nixon stayed when he left Washington D.C. and vacationed in Southern California. He left here in 1979 and returned to New York to write books and regain his stature as an American statesman. Mr. Gavin Herbert, the man who bought the home from the Nixon estate, has not only maintained the Western White House but made many improvements ... (more)

We came with the Conference of California Historical Societies that...

Aerial view of the Western White House.

The gate entrance. Casa Pacifica is in San Clemente, California and, as...

This bush sculptured of an elephant proudly reminds all visitors of President...

Casa Pacifica's owner generously gave much of his time as we toured the...

Spanish architecture dominates Casa Pacifica.

Tall trees are everywhere, making Casa Pacifica easy to spot from...

That eagle didn't come with the house. The new owner bought it at an...

Actually, there are two eagles in the garden. And at least one thirsty visitor.

There are beautiful flowers everywhere. Many came from Rogers Gardens,...

There are also some charming statues seen throughout the estate.

Gavin Herbert has owned Casa Pacifica for twenty five years. In addition to...

Admiring the Pacific Ocean view from below the house.

Just part of that view.

In the 1930's, President Franklin Roosevelt visited the original...

A train passed by just as I took this photo. When he visited here, President...

Casa Pacifica as seen from the lower path.

Somewhere there's a picture of President Nixon walking down there on the...

Headed back up toward the main house.

More statuary in the lower garden.

Passing the pool where we would stop and hear more stories about Casa...

We learned that Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union had stayed here,...

The leaders of the two major powers in the world discussing ways to...

Mr. Brezhnev had some very serious meetings with President Nixon, but at this...

Well, it's time to go. Back on the bus, and back to our somewhat...

article published 6/30/2005

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hey guys, my grandfather is gavin herbert and i was surfing the internet and saw this site about my grandfathers house. i was fortunate to be there when the frost/nixon movie was filmed at the house, which was an amazing experience. my grandfather has definately expanded and remodeled much of the house, while trying to leave most of the architectual style intact. one of the best features is in the small courtyard of the main house Nixons office still remains pretty much untouched, but obviously with time the interior of the main house has been redecorated. One great feature is the various guard houses on the ocean side of the property, the housed communication and security personal, and still stand as a reminder of the level of security the president needed, especially since the house was located on the cliff of the ocean, which is somewhat vulnerable.
— griffin, August 14, 2009

Frost/Nixon
Yes, exterior shots of "La Casa Pacifica" were used in the filming of Frost/Nixon, most notably the entrance. The current owners did not allow any filming to be done inside the residence.
— C Brose, January 17, 2009

Does anyone know if the actual house was used as a location in the excellent movie "Frost/Nixon"? Thanks.
— Anne, January 4, 2009

We weren't able to go inside Casa Pacifica, Lou, so I can't answer your question. However, based upon all the comments our visit has prompted, I'm mighty glad we were at least allowed onto the grounds, and were privileged to have the new owner give us such a wonderful guided tour.
— Bob Fairbanks, December 22, 2008

When taking the tour of La Casa Pacifica do you remember seeing a dining room set that included a handcarved hutch about 9ft long. It is carved with deep relief scenes of the crusades, was made in Toledo, Spain. Carved birchwood table and chairs with leather seats and backs. A very unique piece. If anybody knows if this dining set was actually part of the furnishings in the Nixon Western White House I would appreciate knowing. We were told that only three of these sets were made in Spain and president Nixon had one at his home. Thanks for any information anyone might have.
— Lou Clock, December 21, 2008

okay i am not the first to publish the nixon phone bill claim. sorry! but i did find one for meyer lansky and john gotti as well a a safe deposit box for john f. kennedy! half the fun of treasure hunting is putting a new value of some insignificant article and watching and waiting to see if it bears fruit . sincerly jerry s. winkle
— jerry s winkle, November 5, 2008

media
after all the years and millions of articles and court transcription's of president nixon's phone records. I believe i have found the last document that never was uncovered. while i was gathering material for articles i entered richard m. nixon's name into the california state unclaimed funds search site and lo and behold up rose the deposit and unused credit for his san clemente " western white house" personal phone line! found quite a few other interesting links to the president's as well. i would give you the claim nu,mber but that would take the adventure out of it for the reader. sincerely jerry s. winkle u.s.barteragency@hotmail.com
— jerry s winkle, November 5, 2008

vehicle
I have someone that said he had an old ford stroppe bronco that was kept at the west coast whitehouse. Could this be true?
— Vinny, October 4, 2008

Donna, While the Orange Coast Magazine does say, "Come see what he's [Gavin Herbert Sr.] done with the place," I'm sure the writer meant to see it through the article. The Public at-large is rarely given a tour of La Casa Pacifica. One of the last major tours of the grounds was in the late 70's for San Clemente's 50th anniversary. The Public was able to tour the grounds via bus (with information provided by Pat Nixon) and were not allowed to stroll the grounds.
— C Brose, August 14, 2008

Also, keep in mind that Mr. Herbert has made some significant additions and modifications to the home since Nixon sold it in 1979. The home is much more of a grand entertainment showplace now. The actual mission-style revival home was smaller and simpler back then. Architectural Digest (AD) did a full photo layout of the home (including inside photos) in the Winter 1970 edition. It would be wonderful if AD revisited the compound today with another story and photo layout. More recently, the photos in the 1996 book entitled, "Casa California" leaves the viewer desiring more.
— C Brose, August 10, 2008

Terry, President Nixon purchased La Casa Pacifica in 1969 for $1.5 million (of which $625,000 was loaned by friend Bob Abplanalp). This much has been officially disclosed. While it has never been disclosed, several sources estimate that Nixon sold La Casa Pacifica in 1979 for around $2 million.
— C Brose, August 10, 2008

Nope.
— Bob Fairbanks, August 4, 2008

can you tell me what the property sold for in 1980 and as estimate of its current value.
— terry, August 4, 2008

Mrs.
My friend Larry Wilson and I would like to visit Casa Pacifica. Is it open for viewing to the public, or only by appointment? If you could let me know, it would be much appreciated. We saw the article in Orange Coast magazine, and it says to come and see the beauty. Nothing tells us how to get in touch so that we can visit. If you can let me know it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. Donna Morrow
— Donna Morrow, July 5, 2008

They did use the house. Filming is now complete at both the house and the Nixon Library. Filming will be completed over the next few weeks in a sound stage.
— Vincent, September 27, 2007

Western White House
Hi Bob. As a part of the historical society, I wonder if you have heard of the movie Frost/Nixon being made by Ron Howard, shooting later in the month of August 2007. Would you know if they would possibly use this residence for that? Or would someone in the historical society know?
— Kathy, August 14, 2007

Looking for a floor plan of Casa Pacifica. Can anyone help? darriob@stpatriciaparish.com
— Darrio, April 25, 2007

Sorry to tell you that Casa Pacifica isn't open to the public, Taylor. We were fortunate to be part of a very unique Historical Society tour.
— Bob Fairbanks, April 12, 2007

Hi Bob What great pictures. How was the tour set up? Can anyone go and see Casa Pacifica?

Thanks Taylor
— Taylor Singer, April 11, 2007

Yes, Doug, this is the same place. I agree that Nixon was tense and pensive, also brooding and distrusting. He deserved his resignation in disgrace.

But he was much more. He is now considered to be among the three most influential Presidents of modern times, along with John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. He opened the door to China, and thereby began to break down the China/Soviet Union bloc against the US. He opened detente with the Soviets and began the era of arms control, paving the way for the eventual end of the Cold War.

Here at home, he stopped segregation of Southern schools and was the first President to confront dangers to the environment.

We should include the plusses with the minuses when we consider Richard M. Nixon.
— Bob Fairbanks, March 9, 2007

Richard Nixon died twenty years after he resigned from the White House. In those twenty years, his influential speaking and writing succeeded in recapturing much of his former popularity, and resulted in a tremendous outpouring of public sympathy when he died. Visitors from around the world come to see his museum and birthplace here in Yorba Linda, California. The Western White House in nearby San Clemente is rarely open to the public, which makes our visit there especially meaningful to us.
— Bob Fairbanks, March 9, 2007

Is this the place?
Is this the place where RMN was famously photographed walking along the beach in a suit while all tense and pensive? Famous image that revealed so much about the man's mental state...tight and constraining especially in contrast to the sweeping reality of the Pacific Ocean...great picture which continues to bring insight into our understanding of those days.
— doug, February 28, 2007

Sorry, Darrio. They didn't allow us to take pictures inside.
— Bob Fairbanks, July 21, 2006

My e-mail address is darriob@stpatriciaparish.com. Thanks!
— Darrio, July 17, 2006

Contact me with any interior or exterior photos of Casa Pacifica. Thanks!
— darrio, July 13, 2006

Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing. I especially enjoyed the pictures of President Nixon and Mr. Brezhnev having discussions. As with the previous poster, do you have images of the interior of the home?
— Phillip Johnson, June 28, 2006

yes...I do have some great exterior photos of casa pacifica..want some? Please Respond
— marty bailen, May 21, 2006

Great photos of this beautiful home. Would like to see more shots of the exterior and interior of La Casa Pacifica. Can you help?
— darrio, May 6, 2006

I enjoyed your slide show. For those interested in interior photos, Architectural Digest presented the home to the American public in their winter 1970 edition. Mrs Nixon was fond of furniture with French accents, and the RN Library told after the Nixons had passed away, these beautiful and graceful pieces were divided between their 2 daughters.
— J E Montgomery, July 7, 2005

Hi Bob Enjoyed your photo tour as always. Glad to see you are still clicking away.
— Barbara MacDonald, June 30, 2005