$1,596,181Average Value$679Average Price per Sq Ft61Homes For Sale
Upscale Orange County living
Laguna Hills is a suburban city tucked away in the rolling terrain of Orange County, just east of Laguna Beach and Laguna Canyon. Its natural scenery, hillside vistas and upscale homes have made it a sought-after spot for its 30,000 residents. “It feels like an exclusive area,” says Martha Haecherl, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty and longtime resident. “Your dollar goes further here than in other cities around. It’s a beautiful area.” While it’s primarily residential, there are also plenty of community parks, shopping and dining. Interstate 5 runs along the city's edge, tying it into the Gordian Knot that is the L.A. highway system.
Elevated view showing the well kept community of condominiums.
Head over to Laguna Beach for great shopping and dining.
Laguna Hills Mall has many fantastic places to shop and dine.
Bring the family out to Sheep Hills Park for a day of fun.
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Outdoor scenery, parks and beaches
Laguna Hills offers an abundance of outdoor spaces, from traditional parks to tennis courts and equestrian trails. The expansive Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex is a spot for both relaxation and recreation. Dinosaur Park is a prehistoric-themed playground with climbable skeletons. Laguna Beach is less than 10 miles southwest.
Alison Creek Riding and Hiking Trail is a popular feature of Laguna Hills.
There are swings that children will enjoy at Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills.
The Landscaping throughout Laguna Hills is beautiful.
Scenic views at Crescent Bay in North Laguna.
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Local shopping and dining
Most retail is concentrated around I-5 including a diverse dining scene. Haecherl recommends Balvina’s, Franco’s Famous and Heidelberg Bakery, but says there are many good options. Laguna Hills Mall, right off the interstate, closed a number of years ago and is currently being redeveloped into a mix of office space, residential units and 250,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment venues. More shopping options can be found in Laguna Niguel or other nearby cities.
Nellie Gail residents can enjoy fine dining at Franco's Famous Restaurant.
Laguna Hills Farmers Market has the freshest produce around.
Take a trip to Trader Joes in Laguna Hills for all your grocery shopping needs.
Franco's Famous is a popular Mexican restaurant in Laguna Hills.
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Million-dollar homes in the hills
“You can get a large home with a great layout,” says Haecherl. “These are homes you can grow into. A lot of homes were custom builds, so nothing is cookie cutter.” Haecherl says that the city is one of the more expensive Orange County communities. Single-family homes sell for a median of $1.6 million. Homes are spacious and include sought-after amenities like pools and large lots. Throughout the city, homeowners glimpse rolling hills and views of the ocean. Some neighborhoods, like Nellie Gail , are known for the equestrian stables and trails.
Homes in Laguna Hills have plenty of square footage for a growing family.
Many of the homes and condos in Laguna Hills are Spanish inspired.
Unique flat roof homes a scattered in the neighborhood of Laguna Hills.
Many homes in Laguna Hills are beautiful custom homes.
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Highly rated Saddleback Valley Unified Schools
Students attend schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, a top-rated district with an A-rating from Niche. There are three schools in Laguna Hills: Lomarena Elementary School, which receives an A-minus, and Valencia Elementary School and Laguna Hills High School, which hold A ratings.
Lomarena Elementary School is a well known school in the community.
Laguna Hills High School is a well known school in the area.
San Joaquin Elementary School is part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
Linda Vista Elementary School is a public, K-5 school in the Mission Viejo neighborhood.
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Getting around Laguna Hills and beyond
Laguna Hills is bordered by Interstate 5, which Haecherl says provides convenience without excess noise. Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine are all within a 20-mile drive. Los Angeles is farther north, 50 miles away via the highway, San Diego is 75 miles south. The closest airport is John Wayne Airport, 13 miles away. The city is served by the Orange County Transportation Authority via several bus lines.
Crime in Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills has below-average crime rates. There were 58 violent crimes reported in the city in 2022, putting it about 68% lower than the national average, according to FBI statistics. There were also 420 property crimes reported in 2022, a near-historic low for the city. Like much of the region wildfires are a reality for Laguna Hills and Orange County says the city is at a moderate risk.
Events in Laguna Hills
“It’s a small city with a great sense of community,” says Haecherl. “We’ve got a lot of great events people seem to enjoy.” The city offers an array of community events, like concerts and movies in the park. Seasonal celebrations bring residents together to watch Fourth of July fireworks or the annual Christmas tree lighting. Early each autumn, Heritage Day welcomes autumn with a fair, vendors and live entertainment.
Written By
Josie Keeley
Photography Contributed By
Samuel Evans
Video By
Tyler Belile
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Parisa Houshangi,
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Laguna Hills, CA sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Laguna Hills, CA over the last 12 months is $1,200,000, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION in the exclusive gated community of Bella Terra in the City of Laguna Hills, California. This property offers two ample bedrooms with two full bathrooms. The home is accentuated with elegant wooden floors. This property is in a setting of matured trees on a private and secluded community. The private entry of this home leads you into the open living room and dining
Lower end unit condo located in popular neighborhood facing a manicured putting green with beautiful view down to the serene 9 Hole, 3-Par course fairway. Convenient, easy ramp access (no stairs or elevators), within steps of your private oversized single car garage with built-in storage cabinets. Neutral walls and smooth ceilings throughout (painted in 2024), with newly installed carpet in the
Step into this highly desirable end- unit upper-level home, where natural light fills the open living space designed for both comfort and style. The home features a beautifully updated bathroom, a spacious bedroom with new flooring, and the convenience of in-unit stackable washer and dryer.Enjoy rare privacy with only one common wall—no neighbors above, below, or on the greenbelt
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION in the exclusive gated community of Bella Terra in the City of Laguna Hills, California. This property offers two ample bedrooms with two full bathrooms. The home is accentuated with elegant wooden floors. This property is in a setting of matured trees on a private and secluded community. The private entry of this home leads you into the open living room and dining
This is a highly sought after "G" floor plan at the Towers, with gorgeous views of the Southern California Sunsets! This home has a huge bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms. The dining room and living room lead to the step out balcony that runs the length of the home. The kitchen has been remodeled and features a 2 burner cook top, fridge plus an added bar with more storage and counter space. The master
*** POPULAR EAST facing “C” model condo, with STUNNING Golf course and Saddleback Mountain Views *** Expanded kitchen with white cabinetry, light counter tops, smooth cook top, lots of cabinets and drawers. The huge living room has floor to ceiling sliding doors that open onto step-out balcony with breathtaking views of Saddleback Mountain, the golf course and Laguna Woods. The master bedroom is
Experience the best of active adult living in Laguna Woods Village, Southern California’s premier 55+ community, featuring two professional golf courses, seven pickleball courts, multiple clubhouses, and dedicated spaces for arts, crafts, and other activities.This charming Unit B offers enhanced privacy with no neighbors above or below. The single-level floor plan includes high ceilings, an
Welcome to Your Lake Forest Retreat – Comfort and Lifestyle in One Package. This beautifully upgraded pool home sits on a spacious 7,200 Sq. ft lot with NO HOA and a LOW TAXES rate and PAID SOLAR, offering great value in a prime South OC location. Whether you're commuting from Los Angeles or Riverside county for your work in Orange county, this home is short drive to John Wayne Airport, the
Reata is centrally located just south of the Irvine Spectrum in the heart of South Orange County. Experience the convenience of Laguna Hills living with Trader Joe's, restaurants, shopping, hiking/biking trails and amazing right at your front door. Reata Oakbrook Village is urban living from a whole new perspective!
Nellie Gail, also known as Nellie Gail Ranch, is an equestrian community of Laguna Hills that is comprised of 1,400 homes on about 1,400 acres. While Realtor Jim Bishop of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties notes that owning a horse certainly isn’t a requirement here, you’ll find that many of the area’s home sites are zoned for equines and are located on lots that back up to trails. “There are about 25 miles of trails in the area,” Bishop says.<br><br>The Nellie Gail community, which dates back to the 1970s, includes homes from several phases of development, constructed by a handful of builders. Some of the smallest homes, which are about 1,700 square feet, are the area’s original builds. “There are also quite a few in the 4,600- to 5,800-square-foot range,” Bishop says. You’ll see some late 1980s contemporary styles going for about $1.9 million and four-bedroom Mediterranean-style homes priced around $2.2 million. You’ll also find Tudor styles from the late 1970s that are fetching $3.2 million. “We have a few teardowns on occasion, so you might find some new construction here, also,” Bishop says.<br><br>Residents can expect to pay about $140 per month to the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association (NGROA). Bishop says it’s a reasonable fee considering the amenities, which include a clubhouse with a bar, tennis center with 12 championship courts and a pool. The NGROA also puts out a monthly newsletter, which looks more like a magazine, aptly named The Pony Express. The newsletter keeps residents apprised of community happenings such as wine tastings, Oktoberfest celebrations and Horse-O-Ween, an annual event where owners dress up their horses for a costume contest. “The summer concerts are my favorite,” Bishop says. “The bands are great, and we usually have some food trucks.”<br><br>Regardless of the season, locals can enjoy bagels, breakfast sandwiches and cronuts from J.C. Donuts and authentic taquitos and burritos from La Rana Mexican Restaurant. There are also many restaurant and retail options available in nearby Laguna Niguel, including Costco, Target and Stater Bros. Markets. <br><br>Students here are served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which has an overall Niche rating of A. Valencia Elementary School is a kindergarten through sixth-grade school where almost half of the faculty is certified in gifted and talented instruction. “Parents here are extremely involved,” Bishop says. La Paz Intermediate School offers programs for qualified students such as Model United Nations and the California Junior Scholarship Federation. At Laguna Hills High School, students receive a well-rounded educational experience that includes athletics, extracurricular clubs and partnerships with the University of California, Irvine. “A lot of kids go to some fantastic colleges when they graduate from here,” Bishop says.<br><br>In addition to the community’s trails that are ideal for horseback riding and hiking, you can also get outdoors and explore some of the area’s 50 acres of open space. You can take the kids to the playground at Moulton Park, enjoy a picnic at Dapple Grey Park or shoot some hoops at Hidden Trail Park. <br><br>Nellie Gail’s location, which Bishop notes is about halfway between LA and San Diego, is close to the beach and the mountains. If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a strong sense of community, excellent schools and plenty of room for you and a horse or two, you might want to saddle up and head to Nellie Gail.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Laguna Hills Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
29,457
Median Age
44
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$113,219
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$140,988
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93%
College Graduates
50.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.2%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
14''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®®
50/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
21/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
