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Monarch Beach

Monarch Beach

$3,340,451 Average Value
$1,634 Average Price per Sq Ft
32 Homes For Sale

Monarch Beach exemplifies seaside luxury

In Monarch Beach, luxury reigns. An upscale golf course, clifftop multimillion-dollar homes and picturesque ocean views set the scene. “Monarch Beach is the resortlike area of Dana Point, with very nice beaches and exclusive gated neighborhoods,” says Realtor Ryan Immel, who works with Pacific Sotheby's International Realty and has over 10 years of experience in the region. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club influence much of the area, from high-end dining options to private beach club recreation. “It has ocean views, walking trails and pristine beaches,” Immel says. “It’s one of the most desired areas besides the Lantern District and has all sizes of homes,” Immel says.

Sweeping ocean views are never far away in Monarch Beach.
Sweeping ocean views are never far away in Monarch Beach.
Great beach and wilderness access along the Monarch Beach Trails in Monarch Bay.
Great beach and wilderness access along the Monarch Beach Trails in Monarch Bay.
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Recreation at Monarch Beach Golf Links and Salt Creek Beach

Anchored by the Waldorf Astoria resort, Monarch Beach Golf Links sprawls across 175 acres in the center of the neighborhood. “It is a pretty big golf community, with a very nice public course, so anyone can go. A lot of people love to go, from residents to hotel guests,” Immel says. It offers 18 holes, a spa, swanky dining options and ocean overlooks. Salt Creek Beach, located on the western edge of the community, has about a mile of soft sand bordered by bluffs. “It’s very popular for a couple of reasons. It's a large beach stretching to Monarch Bay, is popular with surfing and has Young’s Beach Shack for food and drinks,” Immel says. “It's a great place to walk or spend time in a big grassy area.” The beach even hosts free concerts and food trucks during the summertime. On the south end of Monarch Beach, Sea Terrace Community Park has walking trails and community events like the annual California Wine Festival each spring.

A surfer runs by the mural at Salt Creek Beach Bluff Park.
A surfer runs by the mural at Salt Creek Beach Bluff Park.
Families will enjoy a day at the beach at Salt Creek Beach Bluff Park.
Families will enjoy a day at the beach at Salt Creek Beach Bluff Park.
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Condos, midcentury moderns and contemporary homes in Monarch Beach

In Monarch Beach, subdivisions composed of winding roads rise over hilly terrain. Gated communities surround the central golf course, where HOA fees can run from $500 to $1,600 and cover services from community pools to landscaping. Native flora like coast live oaks and jade plants often flourish in the area’s lawns. In gated communities, two-bedroom condos range from $830,000 to $1.7 million, while townhouses range between $1.5 million and $2.5 million.

The Monarch Bay community, on the south side of the area, features whitewater ocean views that extend to Catalina Island. It’s also known for its midcentury modern homes, which range from $6.5 million to $10 million. “Monarch Bay is popular, and we sell a lot there, since there’s a private beach club. It’s quicker than most other areas, I'd say, and high-net-worth clients are looking to buy there,” Immel says. More housing styles include contemporary homes from the 2020s, which fetch some of the highest prices. Those on the ocean side of the Pacific Coast Highway range from $15 million to $34 million. “The thing about Monarch Beach is that it has the most expensive homes in Dana Point,” Immel says.

The highest-priced homes in Monarch Bay sit right on the cliff tops with sprawling ocean views.
The highest-priced homes in Monarch Bay sit right on the cliff tops with sprawling ocean views.
Homes in Monarch Bay have an ocean view from the cascading hills.
Homes in Monarch Bay have an ocean view from the cascading hills.
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The highly rated Capistrano Unified School District

The community is served by the Capistrano Unified School District, which earns an A-plus rating on Niche. The school district has multiple schools that have earned California Distinguished Schools awards for academic excellence. The elementary and middle schools vary, depending on where students live within Monarch Beach, but all public high school students are served by Dana Hills High. It gets an A from Niche and has a wide variety of courses, from Marine Ecology to Culinary Arts.

Richard Henry Dana Elementary School is home of the Whales.
Richard Henry Dana Elementary School is home of the Whales.
Dana Hills High School, located in Dana Point, is a prestigious public high school.
Dana Hills High School, located in Dana Point, is a prestigious public high school.
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Monarch Beach retail, including Monarch Bay Plaza

Most of the retail in Monarch Beach is on the west side of the community, including the upscale restaurant Salt Creek Grille OC. It serves seafood and steaks in a white-tablecloth setting with live piano music. Monarch Bay Plaza has more options, from the teppanyaki specialist Ichibiri Japanese Restaurant to Stella's, an Italian staple. The shopping center also has clothing stores like Meesh Boutique and Millie Coastal Accents. Also in the strip mall, Gelson's Dana Point provides groceries.

High-end retail is available at the Monarch Bay Shopping Plaza.
High-end retail is available at the Monarch Bay Shopping Plaza.
Monarch Bay residents can get their shopping done at Gelson's.
Monarch Bay residents can get their shopping done at Gelson's.
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A 15-mile commute to Irvine and more travel

Via Interstate 5, Monarch Beach is about 15 miles away from Irvine’s city center. The route also goes to downtown Los Angeles, which is about 60 miles from the community. For public transit, Orange County Transportation Authority buses and the Laguna Beach trolley serve the area. The neighborhood is about 20 miles from John Wayne Airport, the closest major airport.

Anna Anderson
Written By
Anna Anderson
Ling Ge
Photography Contributed By
Ling Ge
Mallory Nolte
Video By
Mallory Nolte

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

John Wayne/Orange County

29 min drive

Bus

Pacific Coast-Selva

Bus

Coast HWY & Monarch Bay Plaza

Bus

Coast HWY & Niguel Rd

Bus

Ritz Carlton

Bus

Coast HWY & Via Mentone

Bus

Coast HWY & Crown Valley Pkwy

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Monarch Beach US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
2,894
Number of Homes for Sale
32
Median Year Built
1972
Months of Supply
3.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,378
Above the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,025
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,418
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
811
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 11
    1 - 3pm

    32641 Adriatic Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629

    $3,995,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,404 Sq Ft
    • 32641 Adriatic Dr

    $12 MILLION DOLLAR ESTATE JUST SOLD, ONLY 5 HOMES AWAY FROM THIS OFFERING! INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY IS FOUND HERE! A SPECTACULAR COMPLETELY RENOVATED DYNAMIC ESTATE, SUNSET & PEEK OCEAN VIEWS! SINGLE LEVEL NO INTERIOR STAIRS. ULTIMATE PRIVACY/ LARGE FLAT LOT & ROOM TO EXPAND.LOCATED IN COVETED MONARCH BAY TERRACE. GATED ARTISTIC ENTRY SETS THE TONE FOR THE ELEGANCE WITHIN. STEP INTO THE GRAND GREAT

    Ken Dembowski RE/MAX Select One

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  • Saturday, Apr 11
    1 - 4pm

    32551 Azores Rd, Dana Point, CA 92629

    $11,500,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 5 Baths
    • 3,562 Sq Ft
    • 32551 Azores Rd
    • New 17 days ago

    This architectural gem was custom designed by Harold B. Zook, in the 1960s and draws inspiration from the Eichler-style movement of the central open-air atrium exemplifying the timeless “indoor/outdoor” concept. Large windows and doors of glass, voluminous rooms, and striking open spaces showcase spectacular panoramic ocean views, including beach and whitewater waves crashing below the Ritz

    Mary Beth Buckles Coldwell Banker Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
52
Median Rent
$8,500
Median Single Family Home Rent
$8,700
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$13,000
Median Townhouse Rent
$7,950
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$7,950
Median Condo Rent
$3,950
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,950

Demographics

Total Population
8,856
Median Age
56
Population under 18
14.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
34.4%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$142,395
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$169,827

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.2%
College Graduates
63.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Fairly friendly

Walk Score®

40 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Transit Score®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Monarch Beach