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Comedian Bob Hope’s impact extended well beyond the entertainment world, leaving a lasting mark on Southern California’s landscape through his substantial real estate holdings.
One of his most notable contributions was the sale of his 2,308-acre Jordan Ranch in the Simi Hills, east of Thousand Oaks, to the National Park Service in 1993 for $16.7 million. This acquisition became part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and significantly expanded the park’s footprint. With this addition, the National Park Service’s holdings in the area grew to approximately 20,400 acres, bringing them closer to the goal of securing 35,000 acres under federal protection.
Joseph T. Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy at the time, hailed the Jordan Ranch purchase as a “crown jewel” and the largest single acquisition within the recreation area, underscoring its importance to regional conservation efforts.
Beyond Jordan Ranch, Hope and his wife Dolores owned the 4,369-acre Runkle Ranch near Simi Valley. In a related but separate transaction in 1998, the property was sold to Ahmanson Land Co., which agreed to transfer it to park agencies as public open space under the broader Ahmanson Ranch conservation agreement.
Throughout his life, Bob Hope was a savvy real estate investor, amassing a considerable portfolio across Southern California. His daughter Linda Hope highlighted his knack for identifying valuable properties, describing him as having a “real good nose” for promising investments.
After his passing in 2003 at the age of 100, Hope’s iconic Palm Springs residence-familiarly known as the “UFO House”-came onto the market. Initially listed at $50 million in 2013, it eventually sold in 2016 to billionaire Ronald Burkle for $13 million.
Additionally, Hope generously donated 360 acres of his land in Conejo Valley to the Conejo Recreation and Park District. This area was established as the Hope Nature Preserve, ensuring the protection of open space in his name and preserving his legacy beyond the stage.