It’s like no other property on the Southern California coast and in April 1982 it was for sale. Homeowner Robert Dinnerman, a photo gallery owner, gave our John Culea a tour. It was newly renovated and on the market for just under three million dollars. the home was originally designed and built for Sam Bell of Bell’s Potato Chips. Mr. Bell already had a summer home on top of the cliffs overlooking Blacks Beach, but he wanted to have a special place where visitors could enjoy privacy while taking in the magnificent ocean views. Bell was motivated to find the perfect La Jolla real estate spot so he could create this memorable guest house where visitors could get a 180-degree view of the ocean and Torrey Pines State Park. He found that at the bottom of the cliff and on Blacks Beach. An elevator transported guests down the 300-foot cliff. It hasn’t worked in many years so it’s extra special to see it operating in our story.