John Stamos doesn’t just call California home, he’s made it his personal playground. The actor and musician, known for Full House, ER, Grandfathered, and Doctor Odyssey, has transformed his house into a love letter to the Golden State, complete with a backyard pizza oven, lush garden oasis, and a jaw-dropping collection of Disney artifacts.
Over the years, Stamos has collected the original Welcome to Disneyland sign, an animatronic head from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, a phone from Walt’s personal office, and a flying elephant from the Dumbo ride. Growing up eight minutes from Knott’s Berry Farm and 20 minutes from Disneyland instilled an early appreciation for theme parks, and it’s an experience he credits with turning him into a dreamer and shaping his West Coast state of mind.
That nostalgic spirit recently led him on a family road trip up the coast to San Francisco, where he paid a visit to the beloved Painted Ladies on Alamo Square. The very same pastel homes featured in the opening credits of the classic sitcom where Uncle Jesse first stole our hearts. Disguised for fun, Stamos even gave a few unsuspecting tourists directions to the character’s old stomping grounds. We caught up with the 2025 California Visitor’s Guide cover star and tapped into his lifelong appreciation of the Golden State for our California Questionnaire.
Where do you live? Los Angeles.
Why there? I’m a California boy. And I play with a California band. I’ve lived other places and I learned that I can’t live anywhere else.
Who or what is your greatest California love? Honestly, Disneyland. I have Dumbo in my living room.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That we’re all Spicolis—you know, from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Sure, we’re laid-back. But we’re actually pretty sharp.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? Sunshine, girls, palm trees, optimism.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Gardening. Our backyard—the Stamos Family Farm, I call it—is starting to look like a wonderland.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? The first time I have ever taken a real road trip was over spring break. My wife Caitlin was like, "We need to go do something. We need to travel, just the three of us.”
We started here in L.A. and we drove up the coast and we stayed in different hotels each night. We went to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo and just kept going up the coast. We would find kids’ museums. We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And then we ended up in San Francisco. We took Billy [John and Caitiln’s son] by the Full House house—really quickly—and then drove back.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? The pizza from our pizza oven in our backyard.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I think for us it’s hiking. It’s a way, anywhere in the state, to get out and participate in the natural beauty. Or, for me, playing with the Beach Boys.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? I do like buying clothes, so Beverly Hills works for me. But I do it fast. I’ll go to, like, Tom Ford and say, “I’ve got four minutes—let’s do this.”
Best California song? “Good Vibrations.” Especially when we play it and put the words up for the audience.
Can you share your favorite hidden gem in the state? This restaurant called Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga. It's super romantic, you eat under the trees, and it's very healthy. A little secret-y kind of place thing.
How would your California dream day unfold? When Caitlin's doing something and she's gone, we have a very specific Dad and Billy Day. We go to the mall and get a boba tea. Then we go to the arcade, then this restaurant in The Commons. Then the bookstore. Then ice cream. We cannot deviate from anything. Now he just drags me. "Come on, Dad. We're going here now. I'll show you where it is."