$3,680,782Average Value$1,884Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Upscale coastal community is a haven for artists and outdoor enthusiasts
In the heart of Orange County, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, sits Laguna Beach, a high-end beacon of SoCal living at its finest. The city has a prolific arts scene dating back over a century to when the area's dramatic rocky cliffs became a popular setting for silent films. Laguna Beach attracts more than six million visitors yearly to its more than 30 coves and beaches and over a dozen annual events and festivals. Laguna Beach, which includes 7 miles of pristine oceanfront, has a walkable downtown and is rich in outdoor amenities, boasting hundreds of miles of hiking trails in over 20,000 acres of wilderness. The entire area is a fully protected bird sanctuary and marine life refuge, meaning nothing can be fished for or removed from the coast. Despite its fame and beautiful coastline, Laguna Beach only has a population of 23,000, and its this size that locals love the most. "What most people love about Laguna is the sense of small-town community," says Realtor Jill Lockhart of Livel Real Estate, who has over three decades of experience. "You can walk down to the beach and see friends and faces you recognize."
Laguna Beach offers some of the most breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline.
Expansive mansions sit along the coastline and can reach the highest price points.
Laguna Beach residents can go all out at the volleyball courts along the beach.
Residents can enjoy glowing sunsets along the beaches in Laguna Beach.
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Renovated cottages, upscale condos and oceanside estate homes in North Laguna
The median home price in Laguna Beach can fluctuate wildly, but the cost of entry is always expensive, even by Southern California standards. In August 2024, the median was over $3 million, compared to $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California. Homes can list between $2 million and $50 million, depending on a lot of factors, including proximity to the water and neighborhood amenities. The city has more than 40 neighborhoods with distinct architectural styles and outdoor amenities. North Laguna offers diverse housing, including high-end condos overlooking the water, renovated cottages and expansive beachfront estate homes. Blending outdoor living with upscale luxury, the neighborhood is right on the beach, making it popular with snorkelers, divers and surfers. Situated within walking distance of Woods Cove Beach and Ruby Street Park, Woods Cove promises some of the best waterfront views in the city. The community is tucked away from commercial stretches, with sprawling mansions along the hilltop. A gated community with two separate subdivisions, Three Arch Bay is the crown jewel of south Laguna. The homes with sweeping ocean views in this 29-acre community don’t often list, so buyers must act fast when they do for the unparalleled security and amenities.
Laguna Beach is known for its beautiful coastal homes and luxury real estate.
Beautiful villa homes are available in the Laguna Beach area.
Homes along the Laguna Beach coastline can reach the tens of millions of dollars.
Luxury homes on the cliffs enjoy panoramic views of the coastlines.
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Laguna Beach Unified is one of the best school districts in Orange County
One of the best in Orange County, Laguna Beach Unified is a public school district graded A-plus by Niche. Despite being a top-tier district known for great teachers and high-performance academics, LBU has experienced a broader California student enrollment decline trend in recent years. Although the 2022 kindergarten class was the smallest in 10 years, the district projects enrollment to remain stable over the next five years. The highlight of the district is Laguna Beach High School, known in pop culture for its role in the MTV series “Laguna Beach.” The school allows students to pursue their career interests through its Authentic Exploratory Research Program, which pairs students with adult mentors for individually tailored research projects. LBHS is also graded A-plus by Niche.
Safety is the number one priority at Thurston Middle School in Laguna Beach.
Top of the World Elementary School, in Laguna Beach, is an award winning elementary school.
Laguna Beach High Inspires academic Excellence in a coastal setting in a great community.
Along with academics, Laguna Beach High has a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities.
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Exploring the tide pools at Woods Cove and skimboarding at Victoria Beach
Laguna Beach's most famous attraction is its namesake: 7 miles of pristine white sand dotted with unique rock formations jutting into the sea. "When you live here, the beach is your playground — it's your backyard," says Lockhart. "You can take your kids down there for a half hour in the morning, a half hour in the evening. It doesn't have to be a big part of your day." Woods Cove is a sandy stretch surrounded by multimillion-dollar hillside homes. Visitors love exploring the tide pools at low tide and riding the sometimes-writhing waves of the ocean inlet during high tide, which can completely envelop the beach. Each of the city's beaches offers something unique — snorkeling at Shaw's Cove, learning to surf at Thalia Street Beach, skimboarding at Victoria Beach and watching the sunset at Cress Street Beach.
The outdoor opportunities aren't limited to Laguna Beach's coastline. The city offers over a dozen well-maintained parks and recreation centers. Alta Laguna Park is known for its amazing Top of the World trail and lookout point, an excellent place to appreciate the city's picture-perfect scenery. The park, like many others in Laguna Beach, connects to hiking trails that run between the city's green spaces, connecting them not only with each other but also with Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, as well as the 2,400-acre Crystal Cove State Park. There are multiple half basketball courts and sand volleyball courts at Main Beach Park, an oceanside venue with a boardwalk, playground and a tide pool area. Known for excellent people-watching, the park is a great place for a pick-up game or scaling the jungle gym as the waves crash in the background.
Locals and visitors can explore Woods Cove and swim within the tide pools.
Laguna Beach offers an array of activities on land, in water, or in air.
Laguna Beach has some of the best spots to enjoy the ocean and sunset.
Main Beach is popular for taking a stroll and enjoying the sounds of the ocean.
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Boutique shopping all over town and Michelin-mentioned restaurants
With more beachfront lodging than anywhere else in California — at least seven hotels or resorts in the city — Laguna Beach is home to a retail and restaurant scene far outsized from its population. There are nearly 100 boutiques scattered throughout the city, providing one-of-a-kind shopping experiences for everything from surf apparel and swimwear to homewares and jewelry. There are also many distinct dining destinations along the Pacific Coast Highway, including a few standout spots recognized by the Michelin Guide. A culinary gem, Selanne Steak Tavern is owned by former Anaheim Ducks hockey player Teemu Selanne and promises an upscale meal with innovative twists. The restaurant serves Australian-raised wagyu beef and has a wine list of over 2,500 bottles. Rebel Omakase is an intimate sushi venue known for its immersive dining experience and personalized tasting menus. Italy meets the California coast at Oliver’s Osteria Mare e Monti, an eatery known for its traditional Italian flavors and classic ambiance.
Enjoy fine dining at Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach that offers panoramic views of the ocean.
For upscale fine dining, Selanne Steakhouse is one of the premier restaurants in Laguna Beach.
Laguna Beach is famous for its boutiques and shopping scene in downtown.
Visit one one the many boutiques in Laguna Beach for local art and craft goods.
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Creative epicenter for the arts with over a dozen annual events
A haven for artists dating back to the early 20th century, Laguna Beach is home to more than 100 art galleries and artist studios. The area's oldest cultural institution, the Laguna Art Museum celebrated its centennial in 2018 and boasts a broad collection of over 3,500 works of exclusively Californian art. The Laguna Playhouse is generally regarded as one of the top regional theaters in greater LA and hosts an array of one-off events and popular seasonal shows. There is live music and regular exhibitions at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, a creative epicenter and catalyst for art appreciation. The center is home to one of the longest-running photo galleries in the country.
The city's commitment to the arts is also on display during over a dozen annual cultural events. The Festival of the Arts, which takes place over a few weeks in July and August, celebrated its 92nd year in 2024. One of the top art festivals in the country, the open-air show features the work of over 100 Orange County artists. During the festival is the Pageant of the Masters, a 90-minute event recreating famous contemporary and classical works of art with real people posing like paintings accompanied by a narrator and orchestra. For nine weeks each summer, the Sawdust Art Festival connects the community by featuring only art created by residents of Laguna Beach. The festival was in its 58th year in 2024.
The Laguna Art Museum is a popular attraction that features a variety of artists.
There is no type of art that you can't find in the Laguna Beach art scene.
There are a plethora of art galleries that feature local artists in Laguna Beach..
The Festival of Arts is held every summer and brings art enthusiasts from all over the world.
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Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway and commuting in Orange County
The primary artery for Laguna Beach commuters is the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs through the city, connecting to other coastal communities to the north and south. Laguna Canyon Road connects the town to interstates 5 and 405 for those working or traveling inland, providing access to the broader Southern California freeway network. These routes are scenic but can become congested, especially during rush hours. For those who make the commute, Los Angeles is about 50 miles via Interstate 605, though residents are more likely to work in Orange County cities like Irvine, Orange or Anaheim. The Orange County Transportation Authority offers several bus routes that connect the city to other parts of Orange County. Laguna Beach also runs a trolley service connecting its downtown and beach areas with its residential neighborhoods. John Wayne Airport is the closest place to catch a flight, about 15 miles away, and Providence Mission Hospital is the city’s primary medical facility.
To reach Laguna Beach, drivers can take a cruise down the scenic Laguna Canyon Road.
Laguna Canyon Road leads to Pacific Coast Highway and to the beach.
When parking is sparse in downtown, parking and shuttles are available along Laguna Canyon Road.
Take a walk along Main Beach, passing by the iconic Laguna Beach lifeguard tower.
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Mild climate and crime that has risen since the pandemic
Laguna Beach's mild climate makes it a wonderful place to live. Summers are long, dry and warm — but not too warm — with average temperatures in the low 80s and a cool ocean breeze in the evenings. The rainy months come in winter when temperatures are generally in the mid-60s. Because natural areas surround Laguna Beach, a significant portion of the inland area is classified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city recognizes the threat and undertakes mitigation efforts like seasonal goat grazing and hand clearing around the most at-risk locations. Fire risk for residents in future construction will be even more of a concern as 65% of the city's buildable land is within the VHFHSZ.
Like in many places in the U.S., crime in Laguna Beach was lower before the pandemic and has crept up and down from month to month and year to year since 2020. In 2023, 110 violent offenses were reported monthly per 100,000 people, compared to 115 nationally and 105 in broader California. During that same stretch, property crime in Laguna Beach was about 130 incidents per 100,000 people, compared to about 150 nationally and nearly 200 in broader California.
Written By
Amber Steinmetz-Cole
Photography Contributed By
Ling Ge
Video By
Francesco Basti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Helton,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Laguna Beach, CA sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Laguna Beach, CA over the last 12 months is $2,400,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Jennifer Halbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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Laguna Beach Design-Review Board Approved Plans | A rare opportunity to build your dream coastal retreat on a prime 5,033 sq-ft lot in one of Laguna Beach’s most coveted communities — Top of the World! This is one of the last remaining buildable parcels in the area, and it’s just months away from being fully permitted and ready to break ground. This masterpiece home is the result of a remarkable
Jennifer Halbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
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