$2,505,553Average Value$415Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Arch Beach Heights is a residential subdivision in the hills of Laguna Beach
On the surface, Arch Beach Heights may seem like any other residential neighborhood in Laguna Beach: it has eclectic homes, palm trees and views of the Pacific Ocean from its hillside vantage point. But the origins of Arch Beach Heights are anything but standard. Today, the median home price in this neighborhood is over $2 million. But when the subdivision’s empty lots were first divvied up in 1911, they were typically selling for less than $50. “Arch Beach Heights was laid out by someone who had never even seen the area. They just took a grid of streets and plopped it down on top of the map without thinking about the hilly topography, so many lots just became inaccessible and couldn’t be built on,” says Michael “Mike” Johnson, a longtime Laguna Beach resident and Realtor with the Mike Johnson Group at Compass. The lots in Arch Beach Heights weren’t selling, so developers devised a unique way to promote the parcels: “In the 1920s, people could buy encyclopedia sets and, as a bonus, get a free parcel of land. But the catch was, you had to hike up to your lot since there were also no roads at the time,” Johnson says. After proper roads were built in the 1960s and 70s, a surge of residents moved into Arch Beach Heights and built their homes.
Custom million-dollar homes from the mid-to-late 20th century
Homes in Arch Beach Heights were built during the latter half of the 20th century and exhibit custom architecture across Craftsman, Mediterranean, Spanish and contemporary housing styles. Because of the neighborhood’s steep hills and fluctuating terrain, homes here offer more privacy and distance from Laguna Beach’s more populated areas along the oceanfront. “When you get to the top of the hill that Arch Beach Heights is on, you’re flabbergasted at how many houses are up there because you can’t see them from down below,” Johnson says. Most properties range from about $1.6 million to $6 million, with a median price of $2.3 million. The handful of homes that cost upwards of $6 million are typically larger, newer estates that fall outside the neighborhood’s grid-like pattern.
Arch Beach Heights steep hills and fluctuating terrain offer homes with more privacy than the areas below.
One way and winding streets reveal many hills in the high hillsides of Arch Beach Heights.
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Laguna Beach School District serves students in this neighborhood
Arch Beach Heights is zoned for the Laguna Beach Unified School District, which receives an overall A-plus rating from Niche. The A-rated Top of the World Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Thurston Middle is also rated A and welcomes grades six through eight. Laguna Beach High School is an A-plus-rated institution with award-winning athletic programs and an advanced academic curriculum, including more than 20 Advanced Placement courses. Students can also enroll in private schools located in nearby communities, including the Sage Hill School in Newport Beach and any of the Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano.
Top of the World Elementary School serves Arch Beach Heights students with award wining education.
Thurston Middle School has modern amenities for Arch Beach Heights families.
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Outdoor recreation in Arch Beach Heights and the greater Bluebird Canyon area
Moulton Meadows Park is a wide-open outdoor recreation spot with picnic areas, a playground and athletic facilities for basketball, tennis, soccer and pickleball. Residents can also access a paved pedestrian trail at the park that connects Arch Beach Heights to the Top of the World neighborhood just over a mile away. The Mentally Sensitive hiking trail is also accessible at Moulton Meadows and presents a challenging trek through the Aliso and Woods Canyons. The trail’s interesting name, according to local lore, came about as the result of someone scratching off the first seven letters on a sign noting the vicinity as an official protected Environmentally Sensitive Area. The result was a sign reading “Mentally Sensitive Area,” and when the trail was officially established, the name remained. And thus was born the Mentally Sensitive Trail.
Less than a mile from the neighborhood is Bluebird Park, which has several playgrounds and play structures, making it a popular destination for families with young children. In the summertime, Bluebird Park hosts Music in the Park, a free concert series with weekly performances on Sunday evenings. Victoria Beach on the ocean is a 2-mile drive from Arch Beach Heights.
Arch Beach Heights is part of Laguna Beach’s larger Bluebird Canyon area, which has been designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the California Department of Forest and Fire Protection. Laguna Beach has several programs dedicated to mitigating fire risk in this area, including vegetation management programs like fuel modification for development and weed abatement. Homeowners can also request a wildfire consultation from the local fire department and have their properties assessed for free.
An Arch Beach Heights resident enjoys a walk through Moulton Meadows Park.
Bluebird Park west of Arch Beach Heights also has a playground with swings.
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Local restaurants and businesses in downtown Laguna Beach
Shopping and dining options are available down the hill from Arch Beach Heights along Coast Highway. As locals head north on the highway, they’ll come across restaurants like Maro Wood Grill, which serves Argentinian cuisine, a family-owned Italian bistro called Rumari, and Mozambique, a popular steakhouse and local favorite for an upscale dining experience. Arch Beach Heights is about 2.5 miles from downtown Laguna Beach, known locally as the Village. This pedestrian-friendly area is the heart of the city and is home to nearly 100 local businesses and restaurants. On Saturday mornings, locals flock to the Laguna Beach Farmers Market, which takes place in the downtown area and includes more than 40 vendors.
Arch Beach Heights residents enjoy getting thier produce at the Laguna Beach Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Dizz's As Is is a local favorite for fine dining near Arch Beach Heights.
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Free resident-only transit services like Laguna Local help beat the traffic
Driving is the preferred method of transportation in Arch Beach Heights, as its remote location makes it a more car-dependent neighborhood. Residents can take one of several winding roads out of the hills and down to Coast Highway, the main thoroughfare running north-south through Laguna Beach. “A lot of people who drive along the highway don’t even live in town; they just choose to do so because it’s a beautiful commute along the coast,” Johnson says. During tourist season, when parking becomes a sporting event, residents can avoid the hassle of finding a spot with a city-run service known as Laguna Local: “It’s a fleet of vans and cars with bright colors that essentially act like a free Uber service exclusively for residents,” Johnson says. “It’s meant to help people avoid having to park downtown and whatnot. You can use it to pre-arrange rides or do rideshare.” The city also operates the Laguna Beach Trolley, a free trolley service with a route along Coast Highway.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jim Alfaro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Moulton Meadows Park
Basketball
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
John Wayne/Orange County
29 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Arch Beach Heights
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Arch Beach Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Arch Beach Heights, Laguna Beach sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Arch Beach Heights, Laguna Beach over the last 12 months is $1,000,000, up 241% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Coastal elegance meets modern luxury in this fully reimagined Laguna Beach hillside retreat, where panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, canyon trails, and city lights create an unforgettable backdrop for everyday living. Thoughtfully redesigned with a new floor plan and approved architectural plans, this stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bath home blends sophisticated indoor-outdoor living
Discover a modern coastal masterpiece by renowned architect Mark Singer. This iconic 4-bedroom, 3-bath residence captures sweeping ocean, sunset, and hillside views from every level. Singer’s signature style shines throughout — seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, sculptural lines, and natural materials that blend effortlessly with the surrounding landscape. The open-concept layout is designed
Perched on a coveted elevated corner lot in Arch Beach Heights, 1094 Katella Street offers an extraordinary blend of panoramic views, timeless design, and an unbeatable location. Enjoy sweeping whitewater ocean views, sparkling city lights, and picture-perfect sunsets over Catalina Island—all from the comfort of your own home.This 4-bedroom, 3 full bathroom home has been thoughtfully
Sweeping coastline, ocean, and city light views set the backdrop for this newly redesigned soft-contemporary home with dramatic mid-century modern flair, perched at the crest of Laguna Beach's coveted Arch Beach Heights. Spanning approximately 2,373 square feet across three levels and a mezzanine, the home features four bedrooms and five updated bathrooms --three full and two half-- offering
Panoramic ocean view ±5,000 sq ft lot in the coveted Arch Beach Heights community of Laguna Beach. Approx. 50’ x 100’, located on Bonnie Brae Street just 300 ft south of Baja Street. Water and power are nearby, and sewer runs along the northerly property line. This is a paper street lot – currently not buildable per the City of Laguna Beach due to lack of frontage on a paved street. Buyer to
Prepare to be captivated by show-stopping ocean views that will leave you breathless. From crashing waves and golden Catalina sunsets to twinkling city lights and sweeping canyon vistas, every angle of this home captures the magic of Laguna Beach living. Step inside and enjoy a sun-drenched, open-concept living area with floor-to-ceiling glass sliders opening to a wide ocean-view balcony. This
Set in the hills of Arch Beach Heights, this one-of-a-kind multi-level Laguna Beach home offers sweeping panoramic views of the ocean, Catalina Island, coastline, and sparkling city lights from every level. Beautifully remodeled and move-in ready, this rare gem is perfectly positioned on an oversized 1.5-lot parcel, delivering the ideal blend of coastal luxury and laid-back charm. The main level
Located at the end of a private cul-de-sac atop Arch Beach Heights, this striking split-level contemporary residence offers unobstructed 180-degree ocean and coastline views, with Catalina Island and twinkling city lights stretching beyond Laguna Beach, visible from nearly every room. Set on an exceptionally rare double-wide lot, the home spans nearly 2,350 square feet and features 4 bedrooms,
Welcome to 1258 Cortez Ave - A hidden gem with amazing Views and Huge Back yard. Unlike any other in Arch Beach Heights - this quiet street is ONE OF KIND.. Newly painted inside and out with room for a Garden or playground . Modern kitchen lite and Brite
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jim Alfaro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,616
Median Age
54
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$155,250
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$178,821
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
72.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
3/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
