$2,756,556Average Value$549Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Beautiful mountain community with views of Catalina Island
In the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu, residents enjoy picturesque views of the Pacific extending beyond Catalina Island on a clear day. “Everybody focuses on the ocean view, but certain canyon and mountain views are every bit as peaceful and serene,” says Compass agent Russell Grether, who does 90% of his business in and around Malibu. The cost of entry is expensive — they call it the California lifestyle tax because it’s every bit as beautiful as portrayed on film and television. This unincorporated area is awash in green space and outdoor amenities. “What makes it so special here is that I can be at work in Malibu and then be at the beach or a trailhead in the mountains in a matter of minutes,” Grether says. “Honestly, the weather is perfect here, too — our seasons vary by 5 degrees, so even in the winter, it’s still quite pleasant — and there are no bugs.”
Outside of the urban center of Westlake Village you can find sprawling estates.
Scenic view of the Santa Monica Mountains at the Lois Ewen Overlook.
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Solitude at Paradise Cove and hiking the mountain trails
“Between the Santa Monica Mountains and the beaches, you can completely immerse yourself in totally different types of nature within minutes,” Grether says. “There are all these little pockets that you can go to that are even better than the Instagram points of interest that tend to be overrun. I’ll take my dog up to the hills, and we’ll be the only ones there — that’s the magical nature of this place.” Beach access is an amenity for residents of this area — Broad Beach and Point Dume are known to be among the quieter stretches of sand. “Paradise Cove is a beautiful beach. It feels private, and it’s shielded from the prevailing westerly winds, so there’s a lot of places to surf,” Grether says. Hiking at the trails at Sandstone Peak or rock climbing at Echo Cliffs are both amenities for the athletically inclined. Leo Carrillo State Park is a beach with coastal caves and reefs where camping, hiking and surfing are popular. There are hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails with picturesque views at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Malibu Creek State Park is rugged and mountainous, with hiking trails and a rock pool swimming hole.
Will Rogers State beach is an awesome place to visit year round, near Santa Monica Mountains.
The neighborhood of Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains is a tight-knit community.
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Diverse architectural styles and no condos or townhomes
Housing inventory in the Santa Monica Mountains is entirely single-family, with no townhouses and condos, and the vast majority of residents own their homes. The earliest homes were built in the 1960s, but the bulk is more contemporary additions since the 1980s. “One of the nice things north of Malibu is its diverse architectural style. And you can really feel the quality,” Grether says. “Many burnout homes from the [Woolsey] fire have been rebuilt and are modern with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and outdoor living space. Newer homes are on the modern side, so you can have that next to a Cape Cod or something Tuscan.” Homes range in price from $1.7 million to upward of $5 million, depending on lot size and views. “This is an expensive area. Many of the homes here are above the $3.5 million price point,” says Matt Tilley, a top agent with First Team Real Estate. There is also a lot of land for sale in the Santa Monica Mountains, but Grether says building from vacant land is a project most people don’t want to undertake. “I’ve had clients in the system for five to 10 years trying to get the proper entitlements, but it’s commonly at least two to four years to get the permits.” Lot prices are all over the place, but the biggest driver of land value is how far along it is in the entitlement process.
Private gated homes with stone siding are common in the Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains.
Homes in Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains have private driveways with secured gates.
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There's a Nobu across the street from McDonalds
Depending on home location, residents in the Santa Monica Mountains either travel south to Malibu for shopping and dining or north toward U.S. Route 101. “Eastern Malibu is probably the closest neighborhood for people in the mountains to commute into town and be close to the action,” Grether says. There are some independent retail establishments like the home goods store Malibu Market & Design and C. Bonz, a clothing store that offers interactive customizations and collaborative design. There are multiple options for stocking up on groceries, including Ralphs Fresh Fare and Whole Foods. “Malibu is the only place you’re going to find a Nobu across the street from a McDonald’s,” Grether says. An offshoot of the Beverly Hills hotspot, Nobu Malibu serves Japanese delicacies and California in an oceanfront setting with shimmering views of the Pacific. Somehow boasting even more incredible ocean views, Malibu Farm Pier Cafe is a breakfast and lunch spot. The iconic pier from 1905 has shops, restaurants, fishing and excellent people-watching opportunities.
Calabasas Commons near Santa Monica Mountains is a great place to spend a day out.
Malibu Farm Pier Cafe is a breakfast and lunch spot.
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High school undergoing a $110 million construction project
Two school districts serve the Santa Monica Mountains. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified is graded A-plus by Niche, while Las Virgenes Unified gets an A. Kids can attend Lupin Hill Elementary and then Lindero Canyon Middle, both graded A by Niche. Known for producing supermodels, Bella and Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber all attended Malibu High, another A school. In January 2024, the school broke ground on a $110 million construction project at MHS that will add 70,000 square feet of space to the building. The project will include a new library, performing arts classrooms, STEM classrooms, administrative offices, a cafeteria and other Southern California amenities like open breezeways and sunshades.
Learn robotics at Lindero Canyon Middle School.
Malibu High School the school broke ground on a $110 million construction project at MHS.
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Just miles from Pepperdine University
Mere miles from the neighborhood, picturesque Pepperdine University is a private Christian research university. The campus sits on 830 acres overlooking the ocean and Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu and is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. The university has 87 degree programs and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. Pepperdine had about 10,000 students enrolled in the fall of 2023, more than half of which were graduate students.
Residential streets are sleepy with few ways in and out
The southern border of the Santa Monica Mountains runs just north of the Pacific Coast Highway, the region’s main thoroughfare. Walk Score gives the area a 6 out of 100 for walkability, meaning public transportation isn’t easily accessible, and residents rely on their cars to get around. Most of the area’s neighborhoods have a single road leading in and out, and most streets wind to dead ends. The situation is perfect for privacy, but getting out quickly could be challenging if there’s an environmental emergency. For city commuters, downtown Los Angeles is about 35 miles east via U.S. Route 101, accessible a few miles north of the mountain area. Not for the faint of heart, it’s a stop-and-go drive that can take up to two hours during unpredictable rush hours. Malibu has no airport, but Los Angeles Van Nuys, Los Angeles International and Hollywood Burbank are all within 30 miles; Van Nuys is the closest and has the most reasonable drive time. The nearest medical facility is the UCLA West Valley Medical Center, about 10 miles northeast via the 101 and Las Virgenes Road.
Large estates with amazing views are secluded in the Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains.
Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains has one-lane roads up and down the mountainsides.
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Fire risk is severe in the mountains, but crime risk is low
Due to their location in the Santa Monica Mountains, homes here are at serious risk of wildfires. “Fortune favors the brave, but at the same time, you have to be really careful with the type of property you buy,” Grether says. “People want to buy infill-type properties with land, but many don’t want to bear the risk of buying something in the hills.” The Woosley Fire destroyed about 700 homes in 2018, and getting insurance is becoming more challenging and expensive as companies exit the state’s market. However, the city works year-round on fire prevention measures. There are free fire extinguisher trainings, mandatory brush clearance and fire safety liaisons to monitor conditions.
Violent and property crime occur at a rate way below the national numbers. The CAP Index Cime Score for the Santa Monica Mountains is 1 out of 10, compared to 4 nationally.
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
Marcus Beck,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Lois Ewen Overlook
Tapia Park
King Gillette Ranch
Picnic Area
Trails
Hiking
Vasa Park
Peter Strauss Ranch
Leo Carrillo State Park
Alumni Park
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Malibu Creek State Park
Transit
Airport
Los Angeles International
64 min drive
Bus
Pacific Coast HWY & John Tyler
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Santa Monica Mountains
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Santa Monica Mountains Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu over the last 12 months is $1,185,000, up 99% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to Monte Nido. Once a secret getaway for Hollywood elites to escape publicity and fast city life, it endures as a dark sky community preserved by its 'mountain nest.' Encased by Santa Monica Mountain ranges, flora and fauna thrive amongst the native plants and meandering streams. Milder temperatures than nearby Agoura, yet slightly warmer than Malibu. Take in mountain air and enjoy the
Tucked away on over 6 acres of privately gated land, this ultra exclusive Mediterranean Modern estate offers a perfect blend of seclusion, sophistication and convenience. Just minutes away from Malibu's world famous beaches, fine dining, and shopping, this 7-bedroom, 7-bathroom, 7547 sqft residence is a rare find for those who value both privacy and luxury. From the moment you step inside, the
Mid-Century Modern Gem in Idyllic Monte Nido. Tucked away on a quiet, neighborly street where everyone still knows each other by name, this mid-century modern retreat in Monte Nido offers architectural charm and serene living. Featuring soaring vaulted ceilings and an open-concept floor plan, the home is filled with natural light and canyon views that bring the outdoors in. The main level
Welcome to this extraordinary waterfront retreat nestled along the shores of Malibou Lake, offering breathtaking views of Sugarloaf Mountain and an unmatched lifestyle of relaxation and recreation. This privately gated and community-gated property features over 1,400 square feet of living space across two charming residences: a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom main home plus a detached 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom
Experience the best of Southern California living in this privately gated estate set on over 3⁄4 of an acre, offering sweeping, south-facing panoramic views over the rugged beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains. This 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence with a dedicated office blends refined comfort with natural splendor. A manicured yet drought-conscious landscape surrounds the property, including a
Ideally situated and privately gated near the back entrance of the breathtaking Malibu Creek State Park, this updated single-story modern country gem offers a rare blend of comfort, charm, and functionality. Nestled in the desirable Malibu Lakeside community, this home is a true sanctuary with unique features not often found in the area. Step inside to find a beautifully designed living room
FULLY FURNISHED AND AVAILABLE SHORT AND LONG TERM LEASE. Welcome to 1909 Hazel Nut Court, available fully furnished and turn-key. Nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Agoura Hills, this 5 bedroom, 6 bathroom Mediterranean estate is the ultimate luxury escape. Enter into the main level with an open and brightly lit floor plan with stone floors and high ceilings. The living room is accented
Discover a rare fusion of artistic inspiration, serene luxury, and ultimate privacy on this secluded two-acre ranch in the hills of western Malibu. Reimagined as a modern farmhouse compound, this gated retreat is the perfect live-work sanctuary for creatives seeking space, style, and substance. The main residence boasts soaring ceilings, rich hardwood and porcelain floors, and expansive sliding
Brand New Luxury Home in the Santa Monica mountains. Welcome to your dream home nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, offering breathtaking views from every room. This newly constructed estate masterfully blends modern elegance with natural beauty. Step inside to discover real hardwood floors, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and custom cabinetry throughout. The gourmet kitchen is outfitted with
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Marcus Beck,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,849
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$160,596
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$182,376
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.7%
College Graduates
57.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
15''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
2/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
