Prometheus

Although perfectly handsome, this home doesn’t look particularly different from any other house on the street – but once you get inside, you'll see that it’s another story. It's a treasure trove of exciting features, from the fountains and Buddha statues in the garden to the swanky kitchen and wine cellar inside. The pool provides some welcome respite from the hot Californian sun, and the eight-foot barbecue is perfect for feeding an alfresco feast to hungry guests. There's even a Japanese-style garden at the front of the house where you can find a moment of peace and serenity. When the sun goes down, you can settle in with a movie in the home cinema room, or stay outside to enjoy some drinks on the patio, complete with mood lighting. And, if you fancy venturing out from this oasis, Universal Studios is seven minutes away, while a fifteen-minute drive will take you to Hollywood.

Home truths:
*The garage is off-limits to guests
*The third and fourth bedrooms both have double pull-out beds
*Toluca Lake is quite a residential area, but it's just a fifteen-minute drive to Hollywood