Laguna Woods

Once known as “Leisure World,” the gated retirement community of Laguna Woods Village remains an ideal place for a life of leisure in the scenic hills of Orange County. “It’s like moving into a country club,” says Realtor Jennifer Heflin of Laguna Premier Realty, who frequently works in the neighborhood.

With around 16,000 residents, Laguna Woods is tucked away near the forested slopes of Crystal Cove State Park and just a short drive from Laguna Beach, a seaside resort city and major tourist destination. The city is made up almost entirely of the Laguna Woods Village community, although there are some businesses and a city hall accessible to the public. The retirement village offers a range of home styles and floorplans, all restricted to residents over the age of 55. You’ll find a mix of small condo complexes, stand-alone homes and “The Towers,” a luxury, mid-rise condominium. The community was largely developed in the 1960s and 70s with a classic, Mission Revival look, known for its warm color schemes, off-white stucco facades, red-tiled roofs and arched doorways, windows and porticos. The neighborhood is very secure, with more than a dozen guarded gates and a private security department that patrols the community. Home prices cross a broad spectrum, with condos and stand-alone units selling for between $300,000 and more than $1.2 million. “It all depends on the size and remodeling,” Heflin says.

Wherever you live, you’ll have exclusive access to Laguna Woods Village’s luxurious swimming pools, clubhouses, horse stables, fitness centers and shuffleboard, pickleball and bocce ball courts. Avid golfers can tee up at a 27-hole PGA-rated golf course and a smaller, “executive” nine-hole course. For those with a more active lifestyle, Crystal Cove State Park is the perfect place to get some fresh air. This nearly 4,000-acre sanctuary that borders the city is home to chaparral-covered hillsides, ocean bluffs and sandy seashores where you can hike or horseback ride to your hearts delight. Residents also have close access to the crystalline blue waters, public beaches and glowing sunsets at Laguna Beach.

There’s a small shopping plaza at the center of the village where you can fill up you can shop at Stater Bros. Markets, Aldi and Home Depot, or swing by restaurants like Tomo Sushi, Olive Garden or Sabrosada, a family-owned Mexican eatery. Shopping might be limited within the city, but you’ll have plenty of additional options in neighboring Laguna Hills and Aliso Viejo, both of which offer an array of grocers, big box stores, cafes, bakeries and restaurants. You're just a short drive away from organic produce at Trader Joe’s, a movie theater matinee and upscale apparel shops, among other things.

While there are few students to be found in Laguna Woods Village, it should be noted that the area is within the sought-after Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which offers stellar public schools like San Joaquin Elementary School, Los Alisos Intermediate School and Laguna Hills High School, all of which hold “B” ratings or higher from Niche, an online school review site. Laguna Hills High is among the highest rated high schools in California and is a past winner of both the California Distinguished Schools Award and the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Located along Interstate 5 and just a few minutes from the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, you'll have easy access to major thoroughfares that will take you all over Orange County and greater Los Angeles, whether you’re headed to the big city or the beach. If you’re looking for a luxury retirement community close to the coast, you might find what you’re looking for in Laguna Woods.

Written By

Anna Anderson

Photography Contributed By

Ling Ge