Bill Walton’s magnificent secluded Marston Hills home is a shrine to rock n’ roll history, and to his storied sports career.
The landmark home, which he describes as “California Dreamin’,” is on the market for the first time in 30 years. In this sprawling, walled-in private compound overlooking one of Balboa Park’s most spectacular canyons, Walton — a towering basketball legend — raised four energetic, sports-minded boys. “This house was always full of life — lots of children and activity,” he said.
Walton, clad in a T-shirt emblazoned with an image of Bob Dylan, grew nostalgic as he talked about his childhood in San Diego, and his love of Balboa Park and its environ — especially his own neighborhood, a pristine enclave rich in history and meticulous Spanish Revival style homes. “I treasure this area and all that Uptown has to offer, he said. “Our neighborhood truly is an oasis in an urban setting, with a real sense of community. We are best friends with all of our neighbors.”.....................
.......................A fan of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band and other 1970s mainstays, Walton is above all a die-hard “Deadhead.” The cornucopia of faded photos includes images of him posing with members of the Grateful Dead. Walton, who is just under seven feet tall, recalled how he forged an enduring friendship with the band at a Dead concert. “One of the roadies asked me to get off the chair I was supposed to be sitting in — they thought I was standing on it — because I was blocking the audience’s view. Then he recognized me, and asked me to come backstage and meet the band.”
Since that time, Walton has jammed with the Dead, toured with them and seen more than 700 of their concerts. “We’ve been friends for 36 years,” he said. It is safe to say that the Grateful Dead has played a pivotal role in his colorful life — Walton met his wife Lori through friends of the band. “She’s a fan of the Grateful Dead and she went to UCLA,” Walton said with a big grin,” two very important attributes.” In 2001, Walton added yet another accolade to his impressive repertoire: induction into The Grateful Dead Hall of Honor.
Walton himself practices at the drums and the piano. His oversized drum set, personally assembled for him by members of the Grateful Dead, encompasses almost a quarter of the living room. Here, he has spent many hours jamming with friends and family.
The impromptu jam sessions reflect the relaxed, carefree nature of Walton’s house and life. “The house was in great condition, but very traditional and formal when we bought it,” he said. Eschewing any formality, Walton and his wife focused on making it livable, and suitable for a lively brood.
Originally built in 1931, the two-level home is 6,300 square feet, with six bedrooms, eight full baths and a pool house complete with a bar and steam room..................
