The Lava House

     Tucked away among the extravagant mansions that line Tiburon and Belvedere lies a peculiar home.  Built in the 1970s using imported lava rocks from Hawaii, the Lava House has been attracting teens from all over Marin for years.  The actual house was never completed; the only part that was finished was the garage, and this was partially burned in a fire in 1997.  But that’s not what attracts people to it.  What attracts them is the property itself.  With pillars, fountains built from lava rock, and a raised stone pathway cutting through the property, it’s easy to see why so many people go there.  Stones line the ground, creating a walkway with balconies jutting out  and offering absolutely stunning views of the bay.
 

     Jerry Ganz, a seat belt magnate who made his fortune selling them to General Motors, commissioned the house in the mid 1970s.  The build stopped, and was never completed.  Ganz blamed this on the design of the house, claiming it would never be livable.  So there it sat, for over three decades, abandoned.  For the past decade Jerry Ganz has tried to sell the house, to no avail.  The lot is currently listed for $4.7 million.  Ever since it was put on the market, “No Trespassing” signs have been hung on the fence, blocking the lot from the street. 

Some of the lava rock.

     There are a few things to be wary of when visiting the house. The roads to it are very narrow.  If another car is coming the other way it will be a tight squeeze to get by.  Also, parking is restricted.  If you do not park in approved spaces, you risk having your car towed or fined.  And then there’s the actual trespassing.  You don’t need to worry too much if you're just stopping by to take a look, but if you're with a big group, be cautious.  Most of the time you’ll see people peeking over the fence, trying to see the house.  But the golden rule of going to the house is be courteous of the neighbors.  They’re not very enthusiastic about people coming from all areas of Marin to their backyard, with some people making a lot of noise and causing problems.  If you do go, don’t stay for too long.  Take a quick look around and leave.  And never park in front of other homes or block people in.  The owners of nearby homes around can easily call the police if they become annoyed.

The structure of the house.

  If your in Tiburon or Mill Valley, it's a very cool place to go and see.  I've been about a dozen times and it never gets old.