Castaways is one of the few guard-gated communities on the Back Bay’s western side. “People love it because it’s picturesque,” says Annie Clougherty, a Realtor with Compass and a Newport Beach native. She’s sold properties in the area for 20-plus years. “It has some of the best views because you can see the ocean, the bay and the city lights.” Clougherty also describes the community as private and family-friendly, walkable to the area’s many parks and schools. The Castaways Homeowners Association regulates streets and landscaping in exchange for monthly dues, and with massive mansions near the bay, home prices are much higher than the California median price of around $900,000. They line either side of the community's wide avenues, which often end in cul-de-sacs or near a bike trail.
Living in the Castaways neighborhood offers breathtaking views of Newport Harbor, the Back Bay, and stunning Pacific Ocean sunsets from its elevated coastal vantage point.
As a guard-gated enclave, Castaways ensures privacy and security for its residents, fostering a safe and serene environment for all residents.
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Private mansions next to the Back Bay
Homes in Castaways look out of place, but that’s often what draws people to the area. “This enclave of homes is known for its Cape Cod finishes and East Coast-inspired properties,” says Charlie Price with Coldwell Banker, the founder of the Charlie Price Group and a Newport local. “It’s a really unique aesthetic compared to Newport Beach as a whole, which has more of a traditional or Spanish feel.” This northern style is evident with features like cupolas, dormer windows, white paints and large square footage. Almost every home has a sizeable backyard with a pool, and rows of shrubs provide privacy between lots. Properties start at $3.9 million but can reach $6.1 million for a home with more space. Higher-end listings tend to be on Cape Andover, a street that overlooks Upper Newport Bay and is next to a waterfront trail. With only 120 homes in the neighborhood, inventory is limited, and Price describes the market as highly competitive.
Interiors feature coffered ceilings, beadboard paneling, and rich hardwood floors, embodying the refined craftsmanship of classic Cape Cod design in Castaways.
The Cape Cod-style homes in Castaways showcase charming shingle siding, white trim, and classic dormer windows, blending East Coast elegance with coastal luxury.
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High scores for Newport Harbor High and others
Mariners Elementary, Ensign Intermediate and Newport Harbor High are all within a mile of the neighborhood and score As from Niche. Bleachers are usually packed for the annual Battle of the Bay game, when Newport Harbor High’s football team faces Corona del Mar High. About 5 miles northeast of Castaways, University of California, Irvine, is both an employment center and a highly rated research school.
Mariners Elementary School is a Public K-6 School in Costa mesa.
Newport Harbor High School is the 'Home of the Sailors'.
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Steps from the Back Bay and Castaways Park
Castaways is just off Upper Newport Bay. Also called the Back Bay, this marine conservation area is one of the last remaining estuaries in Southern California, and wildlife ranges from bobcats to sandpipers to halibut. The Back Bay Loop is a 10-mile path around this preserve; it passes through the neighborhood’s east side, accessible via a code-locked gate. Also in this area, Castaways Park is a popular spot to watch the sunset because of its bay, harbor and ocean views. Bob Henry Park has baseball fields on the neighborhood’s north side, and local leagues use them frequently. About 3 miles south, Newport Beach has fishing and surfing opportunities.
The Castaways community is conveniently close to the Back Bay Loop, providing residents with easy access to scenic trails perfect for walking, running, and cycling.
Castaways Park has a large tree at its peak for sitting back under the shade while enjoy amazing scenery.
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Bayside restaurants and shopping at Lido Marina Village
Some restaurants are just north of the neighborhood along Westcliff Drive. Haute Cakes Café has all-day breakfast and coffee, while Olea has New American plates for dinner. For waterfront dining, more restaurants are south of Castaways on the bayfront. Lido Marina Village is an outdoor mall to the west; patrons can watch yachts as they eat and shop. Fashion Island is another popular mall east of the neighborhood, and it hosts over 200 businesses. Ralphs Fresh Fare is the closest grocer.
Olea in Newport Beach offers a refined dining experience with a West Coast-inspired menu, craft cocktails, and a warm, stylish ambiance perfect for any occasion.
Ralphs is conveniently located just minutes from the Castaways community, providing residents with easy access to fresh groceries, gourmet items, and everyday essentials.
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Waterfront walks near Castaways Lane, short drive to Pacific Coast Highway
Castaways is pedestrian-friendly, a small area with waterfront views and walking paths. Most people drive around Newport Beach, though. Castaways Lane has the only gated entrance into the neighborhood, and it connects to Dover Drive. This thoroughfare leads down to the Pacific Coast Highway, which follows the ocean to neighboring cities like Laguna Beach. Dover Drive also has the No. 55 bus route, and Orange County Transit Authority operates several other routes in the area.
The Castaways community is just steps from scenic walking paths that wind along the Back Bay, offering residents peaceful trails with stunning waterfront and nature views.
Residents of Castaways can easily access major highways, like PCH, making commutes to surrounding areas convenient and efficient.
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
Janelle File,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Castaways Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Hiking
Bob Henry Park
Transit
Airport
John Wayne/Orange County
11 min drive
Bus
Dover-Castaways
Bus
Dover-Coast
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Castaways
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Castaways Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Castaways, Newport Beach sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Castaways, Newport Beach over the last 12 months is $590,000.
This beautiful CLIFFSIDE home in the Castaways guard-gated neighborhood offers a "front row", spectacular view of Newport bay. The oversized lot and yard is one of the largest on the cliff allowing for a full pool together with a spa and fire pit. LaCantina folding doors create an indoor/outdoor coastal living experience and is as good as it gets. Beautiful kitchen with center- island includes
Perched blufftop, front row center in the coveted guard-gated Castaways community, this stunning Cape Cod-style residence showcases breathtaking, unobstructed vistas of the harbor, bay, Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, city lights, and back bay. Behind a timeless coastal facade, a grand two-story entry welcomes guests with soaring ceilings, a dramatic staircase, and an open-concept layout designed
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Janelle File,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
313
Median Age
46
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$203,636
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$205,907
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
75.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29%
% Population in Labor Force
82.8%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
72°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
44/ 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.
