An Orange County bedroom community with luxury living in the coastal hills
One of California’s first master-planned communities, Laguna Niguel blends natural landscapes with a luxe style. Many of the city’s 63,000 residents live in gated communities of Mediterranean mansions, steps away from an expansive parks and recreation system. Here miles of trails wind through the San Joaquin Hills, leading to overlooks of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ana Mountains. With a Mediterranean climate, Laguna Niguel is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts, although it’s popular more generally too. “It's in really high demand, a desirable city, so a lot of people want to live there,” says Realtor Robert Najafinia, who works with Realty One Group West and has over two decades of experience in the area. Halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Niguel doesn’t quite rest on the ocean. The city battled Dana Point for Salt Creek Beach in 1986 and lost. But it’s only a couple of miles away from the rugged bluffs, soft sand and surfable waves of Southern California’s coastline.
Laguna Niguel City is an Orange County bedroom community with luxury living and great views.
Laguna Niguel City is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Laguna Niguel City os one of California's first master-planned communities.
There are miles of trails through the hills of Laguna Niguel City with stunning ocean views.
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Laguna Niguel Regional Park and more recreation opportunities
Over a third of Laguna Niguel is public open space, divided between 31 city parks and four Orange County parks. With about 230 acres of land, Laguna Niguel Regional Park is the largest in the city and is located in the northern half of the community. The park offers picnic shelters, pickleball courts and Laguna Niguel Lake, a reservoir where residents can go fishing and see ducks. The city also has over 80 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Bordering the city’s western side, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park has some of the most popular trails. The scenery includes coastal canyons, grasslands and the Dripping Cave, where robbers used to hide before stealing from stagecoaches in the 1850s. As a wildlife sanctuary, the park features rare animals like killdeer and red diamond rattlesnakes.
Laguna Niguel Regional Park offers great spots for fishing in Laguna Niguel City.
Over a third of Laguna Niguel City is public open space including many great beaches nearby.
Laguna Niguel City has over 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback.
Laguna Lake is a popular destination for a peaceful day out in Laguna Niguel City.
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Salt Creek Beach, plus more attractions and events
One of the main attractions of Laguna Niguel is proximity to the beaches of Laguna Beach and Dana Point, including Salt Creek Beach. From the top of a bluff, locals can watch the sunset over the water or walk down to surf, with huge waves created by an offshore reef. “It has a lot of areas for hiking and spending time with the family. It’s a very nice beach with a lot of areas for laying and sitting down. It's a wide beach with a lot of sand, whereas other beaches have a lot of rocks,” Najafinia says. 1000 Steps Beach offers tide pool wildlife watching and access to a sea cave during low tide. For those who prefer dry land, the centrally located Niguel Botanical Preserve has over 2,000 plant species in multiple gardens, with a sculpture section and a labyrinth overlooking the Saddleback Valley.
Crown Valley Park is the epicenter of the community geographically and in spirit, hosting over 250,000 visitors annually at frequent events. Its summer concert series is especially popular, with live music ranging from Motown to rock and roll in an outdoor amphitheater. The park also has Fall Flicks, family-friendly movies during the month of September, and Haunted Trails during October. This Halloween-themed event includes costumed actors that scare visitors.
One of the main attractions of Laguna Niguel City is the proximity to the local beaches.
The Laguna Niguel Preserve has a stunning labyrinth in Laguna Niguel City.
Take a short trip to the popular 1000 step beach for a day of fun near Laguna Niguel.
Tide pools near Laguna Niguel City have a variety of ocean life.
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Mediterranean homes, ranch-style houses and more in Laguna Niguel
As a master-planned community, Laguna Niguel is composed of sprawling subdivisions that ascend through hillsides, with trails and parks woven into each pocket of the city. Most neighborhoods have views of the hills, and some of the more upscale, guard-gated communities have ocean views. Many of the neighborhoods have HOAs, which can take care of landscaping, clubhouses and community pools. Here Mediterranean homes are predominant and cost around $6 million. Midcentury ranch-style homes are priced at about $2 million, while townhouses and condos cost around $750,000. The city has a median sales price of $1.3 million, with an average of 28 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44 days.
Laguna Niguel City has master planned communities that ascend through the hillside.
Many beautiful homes in Laguna Niguel City are mediterranean style architecture.
Laguna Niguel City consists of high quality ranch and mediterranean style homes.
Mediterranean style homes with amazing mountain views are plentiful in Laguna Niguel City.
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The award-winning Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District has an A-plus on Niche. Its 11 National Blue Ribbon schools and 19 Golden Bell-winning programs exemplify academic excellence. Serving over 41,000 students, it has a student-teacher ratio of 23-to-1. Nearby higher education options include Chapman University, Saddleback College and the University of California, Irvine, which earns an A-plus on Niche.
John Malcolm Elementary School is Part of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Moulton Elementary School, in Laguna Niguel, is a Blue Ribbon school.
The entrance to the Niguel Hills Sharks Middle School.
St. Anne School has experienced teachers that foster a positive learning experience.
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The Center at Rancho Niguel mall and more retail areas
The community’s densest retail area is on its northern side, where there are boutiques and diverse restaurants at The Center at Rancho Niguel shopping mall. Also in the north, the Plaza de la Paz Shopping Center is a big box center with grocery shopping and department stores. The Laguna Niguel Plaza and Crown Valley Mall are strip malls centrally located in Laguna Niguel, and the Ocean Ranch Village mall is in the city’s southern section. The City Center Mixed Use Project, approved by the city council in 2022, will become Laguna Niguel’s downtown. The walkable area will have shopping, restaurants, plazas and more.
The Center at Rancho Niguel is a popular destination for outdoor dining in Laguna Niguel.
Ocean Ranch Village has a wide variety of restaurants and shops in Laguna Niguel City.
Plaza De La Paz Shopping Center in Laguna Niguel City has popular High Tide Coffee Shop.
Pick up some fashionable clothes at the boutiques in The Center at Rancho Niguel.
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A 20-mile drive to Irvine and 30 miles to Santa Ana
Laguna Niguel is a car-dependent commuter community. Via state Route 73, the city is about 20 miles away from Irvine. It’s also 30 miles away from Santa Ana using the same route. Some residents work with Laguna Niguel’s biggest employers: the United States government, Costco and the Capistrano Unified School District. For public transportation, residents can find multiple Orange County Transportation Authority bus stops throughout the city. It also has a free summer trolley program, from Crown Valley Park to Salt Creek Beach. At the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station, commuters can take the Metrolink Orange County Line to Los Angeles and San Diego. The closest major airport is the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, about 20 miles away.
Decreasing crime and the Laguna Niguel Police Department
According to the FBI, Laguna Niguel’s violent crime rate has fallen from 25 to 13 per 100,000 people from 2022 to 2023, while the property crime rate has also decreased from 95 to 91. In comparison, the state of California’s violent crime rate has increased from 92 to 103, and the property crime rate has decreased from 209 to 207. The Laguna Niguel Police Department’s programs include citywide safety meetings and You Are Not Alone (YANA) service. For those who live alone, YANA provides free check-ins on their safety.
Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Samuel Evans
Video By
Kellan Beaver
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mickey Tameifuna,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Laguna Niguel, CA sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Laguna Niguel, CA over the last 12 months is $1,299,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Venture into refined coastal Marina Hill's living in one of the largest but rare model homes to come on the market! This home has been beautifully updated and is ready to move in! PEX REPIPE/ 5-bedroom (downstairs bedroom is en-suited), 3.5-bathroom, nearly 3000 sq ft home won’t disappoint and has fresh paint inside and out, with every aspect thoughtfully curated, this home offers unparalleled
The wait is over! Welcome to a stunning modeled VIEW HOME in Laguna Niguel perched on a coveted street with no homes directly in front and or behind. 24572 Via Del Oro has sweeping year-round sunset views and a beautifully remodeled & freshly painted interior. This charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom residence blends modern upgrades with timeless comfort in one of Laguna Niguel’s most desirable
What a great Bridgeport Terrace townhome and Community! This 2 Bedroom, two story townhome, with no one above or below you, features SOLAR panels, an OPEN FLOOR PLAN, laminate flooring, enclosed stairs with the laminate flooring, large kitchen with pull-out shelves, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, double sink & faucet, recessed lighting in the kitchen, window for lots of light & a
Welcome to this beautifully upgraded 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with 3,686 sq ft of living space, perfectly tucked into the highly sought-after San Marin neighborhood of Laguna Niguel—just 2 miles from Salt Creek Beach and 1 mile from Monarch Beach Resort. Step inside and experience expansive living areas designed for both comfort and entertaining. The grand formal living and dining rooms feature
***Priced well below the current sales in this charming community*** Nestled in the French inspired community of Lake Chateau, is a thoughtfully re-designed home that blends current style with functionality. Set in a cul-de-sac location, the property offers an indoor/outdoor living environment with an open courtyard in front and an expansive covered patio in the backyard. As you step inside,
Live the good life in the coveted gated community of Siena and fall in love with this opened concept home that exceeds expectations! Upgraded three bedrooms (one downstairs with full bathroom) plus Loft is ideally located in the community and has exquisite finishes of hardwood and porcelain tiled floors, Carrara marble, and impressive windows that face a stunning view of hills, nature and gives
Available September 6th! Situated in the desirable Vistara neighborhood of Marina Hills on a private cul-de-sac, this expansive 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom POOL home offers over 3,600 square feet of beautifully designed living space. The open floor plan features a formal living room with fireplace, elegant dining area, and a spacious family room with a cozy fireplace. The gourmet kitchen includes a
Nestled within a prestigious guard-gated community, this Mediterranean custom estate is perched on a scenic bluff, capturing sweeping, unobstructed views of the ocean, Catalina Island, and coastline from nearly every room. Thoughtfully designed with four bedrooms and a dedicated office, the residence features a sought-after main-level primary suite and ensuite baths in each bedroom, offering
Available for lease, this stunning executive residence in the prestigious Rancho Niguel community offers a sophisticated, turnkey lifestyle with breathtaking panoramic views. Perfect for entertaining, the home’s open floor plan features soaring ceilings, an expansive living room, and a family room, each with its own fireplace. The chef’s kitchen is impeccably appointed with a built-in Sub Zero
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