John Wayne lived for many years in Newport Beach, but in a sense, his real home was his yacht, Wild Goose. According to his son Ethan, it was “the one place where he could relax and get away from all the obligations he had to deal with” as a public figure. Wayne’s daughter Marisa adds that the boat was “the place where he would always go to recharge his batteries.” John Wayne would routinely take family and friends on Wild Goose to places like Mexico, Alaska, British Columbia, Catalina, and many others. Wayne bought the yacht in 1962 after owning a smaller boat for a few years.

Wild Goose

“There was his on-screen life and his public life, and then there was his private life. It was the private life where he was most relaxed and comfortable.”

-Patrick Wayne