The mountain retreat for tech's elite

Silicon Valley's elite might live in exclusive Bay-Area communities such as Atherton, Woodside and Palo Alto, but when they're looking to buy a second home, many turn to Martis Camp.

This is a private community located near the north shore of Lake Tahoe, which counts among its members heavy hitters from Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOGL) and Facebook (FB) as well as venture capitalists and start-up founders.

"We're really catering to the people that are changing the world, and we're helping change their lives," sales director Brian Hull said. "They're coming here, and really unplugging a bit. And I think, consequently, they're conjuring up interesting ideas while they're away from their everyday lives."

The 2,100-acre resort boasts an 18-hole golf course, 26 miles of trails for hiking, a private ski lift to nearby Northstar and of course access to Lake Tahoe itself.

The most unusual amenity might be the so-called "family barn." It's an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse that features basketball courts, a 44-seat movie theater, bowling lanes and spa. There's also an amphitheater where the Beach Boys kicked off the summer with a special private concert.

Business is booming. Last year, the club sold 138 properties for a total of $255 million. Already this year, the club has sold 77 properties for $140 million. There has been some $1 billion worth of property sold since developer DMB/Highlands started the community in 2006.

Interested in becoming a member? Then get ready to pay up.

Homes start at around $2 million, but have sold for as much as $15 million. Regular members pay an annual fee of $10,000, but golf memberships require an initiation fee of $130,000, and nearly $17,000 per year in annual dues.

But would-be members don't necessarily need to pay in cash if they decide to buy a home at Martis Camp. Last year, in true Silicon Valley fashion, a property sold for $1.6 million—in bitcoin.

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