Sunnylands rich in history

Sunnylands, a mid-century modern estate in Rancho Mirage, California, was owned by late diplomat and philanthropist Walter Annenberg and his wife Leonore until 2009 and had been used as a winter retreat by the couple since 1966, when the house was completed. The property is "rich with historical significance," according to the city of Rancho Mirage, which declared Sunnylands a historic site in 1990.

The Annenbergs envisioned Sunnylands as a West Coast "Camp David", where global leaders would try to advance international agreements. Many key figures of the 20th century have visited Sunnylands, including US presidents, the British royal family and Hollywood icons.

The estate is run by the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, a non-profit organization and Annenberg family trust. Limited. Guided public tours of the sprawling facilities began on March 1, 2012.