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Saddleback Valley
Lake Forest Real Estate
Live listings, recent sales, and a local’s guide to Lake Forest, from the original lake communities to Baker Ranch.
Lake Forest Homes for Sale
Browse every active Lake Forest home for sale below, newest listings first, updated from the MLS every 5 minutes.
247 homes for sale in Lake Forest right now. In the last 90 days through October 22, 2026, 145 homes sold at a median price of $1,220,000, up 8.4% from a year earlier, after a median 32 days on the market.
Browse Lake Forest: Single-Family Homes, Condos, Townhomes, Ocean View Homes, Homes Under $1 Million, Homes Under $2 Million and Price-Reduced Homes.
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For a property tour, an off market lead, or a comparative market analysis on a specific Lake Forest address, contact Clark Smith at (949) 494-8830. Realatrends Real Estate, locally owned and operated since 1983.
About Lake Forest
Lake Forest is a southern Orange County city of about 86,000 residents, spanning roughly 17 square miles at the base of the Saddleback Mountains between Mission Viejo and Irvine. Incorporated in 1991 around two private man-made lakes, it is organized into four distinct sub-areas: the original Lake Forest core, the master-planned Foothill Ranch, the foothill community of Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch, a 1.5-square-mile community built between 2017 and 2020. Housing ranges from 1970s and 1980s homes and condominiums to brand-new modern construction, so the citywide median masks wide variation by neighborhood. The city is served primarily by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, maintains 30 parks, and borders Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. The 5 Freeway and the 241 and 133 toll roads meet inside city limits, putting Irvine Spectrum, John Wayne Airport, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach within a short drive.
Whether you are browsing Lake Forest homes for sale or comparing the city against neighbors like Mission Viejo and Irvine, the sections below cover the practical details (school assignments, HOA structures, market data, and outdoor amenities) that affect price and lifestyle in each of the four sub areas.
Location and Access
Lake Forest is approximately 50 miles south of Los Angeles and 30 miles north of San Diego County. Interstate 5 runs north south through the western half of the city. The 241 toll road bisects the eastern half, connecting to the 91 Freeway in the north and the 5 in the south near San Juan Capistrano. The 133 toll road provides a direct route to Laguna Beach in roughly 10 minutes. John Wayne Airport (SNA) is 15 to 20 minutes northwest, and the Realatrends office in Laguna Beach is about 20 minutes west via El Toro Road.
Housing and Architecture
Lake Forest’s housing stock spans four distinct eras and styles, by sub area:
- Original Lake Forest core (south and west of the 5): primarily 1970s and 1980s single family homes and condominiums clustered around the two namesake private lakes. Sun and Sail Club membership, where applicable, includes lake access, pools, and tennis. Lots are smaller, prices are typically the most accessible in the city.
- Foothill Ranch (east of the 241, base of Saddleback): a master plan completed in 2000. Mediterranean and Spanish revival architecture, mature landscaping, and walking access to Foothill Ranch Towne Centre and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.
- Portola Hills (further east, between Whiting Ranch and Cleveland National Forest): a smaller community with a wider mix of detached single family, townhouses, and condos. More affordable than Foothill Ranch and Baker Ranch on a price per square foot basis.
- Baker Ranch (northwest, north of the 5 between Bake Parkway and Lake Forest Drive): a 1.5 square mile master plan built between 2017 and 2020. Modern construction, three swimming pools, eight parks, dog parks, sport courts, and clubhouses.
HOA structures vary widely by sub area. Always request the current CC&Rs and HOA disclosure package as part of due diligence on any specific address.
Condos and Townhomes Across Lake Forest
Attached housing turns up at both ends of the city’s timeline. The original core south and west of the 5 carries condominiums built alongside its 1970s and 1980s tracts, and homes there can qualify for the Sun and Sail Club while still paying into their own condo or townhouse association. Further east toward Whiting Ranch, Portola Hills mixes townhouses and condos with detached homes rather than separating them. Between the two sit the newer communities, which is why a citywide median says relatively little without knowing which era and which sub area a home belongs to.
Schools
Lake Forest is served primarily by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District (22,691 students across 32 schools). District boundaries do not always follow city limits, so confirm the assignment for any specific address before a purchase decision. Schools serving the city include:
- Lake Forest Elementary
- Oxford Preparatory Academy (charter, K to 8)
- El Toro High School: serves the southern and western parts of Lake Forest.
- Trabuco Hills High School: serves Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and parts of Baker Ranch.
Parks, Walkability and Amenities
The City of Lake Forest maintains 30 neighborhood and community parks, plus access to two regional standouts. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, on the eastern edge near Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills, covers rolling foothills with sandstone outcrops (the Red Rock Canyon trail is the signature route, accessed from Borrego Trail) and is heavily used by hikers and mountain bikers. Heritage Hill Historical Park (4.1 acres, OC Parks) preserves four restored buildings from the Saddleback Valley’s Mexican Rancho era, the founding of El Toro, and the early twentieth century citrus farming days. Free admission; guided tours Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11 a.m. (ocparks.com).
Day to day shopping and dining concentrate at three centers: Foothill Ranch Towne Centre (anchored by Target), the Lake Forest Marketplace along El Toro Road, and Baker Ranch’s neighborhood retail. The Sun and Sail Club, original to the Lake Forest master plan, provides pool, tennis, and lake access for member households inside the original core.
Recent Market Snapshot
717 homes sold in Lake Forest in the 12 months to October 29, 2026, at a median price of $1,250,000, 6.7% above the 12 months before. Single-family homes rose 5.5% to $1,410,000, and condos and townhomes rose 6.5% to $697,500. The typical home sold in 19 days, at 98.3% of its original list price. 19% of buyers paid cash. Prices by month since 2012 are on our Lake Forest housing market page.The citywide median masks wide variation by sub area: Baker Ranch typically trades at a premium, Foothill Ranch sits near the citywide median, the original Lake Forest core trades below it, and Portola Hills runs more affordable on a price per square foot basis. Working from comparable sales inside the same sub area gives the most reliable read.
Lake Forest Market Report
Data for October 2026
Median Sale Price
$1,220,000
8.4% YoYDays on Market
32 days
Active Inventory
247
New Listings (Month)
70
Year-Over-Year Change
8.4%
What's Your Lake Forest Home Worth?
12-Month Median Price Trend
Lake Forest
12-month trend, month by month (text)
Zillow's median home value index for Lake Forest moved from $1,196,567 in October 2025 to $1,195,906 in September 2026.
| Month | Median home value |
|---|---|
| October 2025 | $1,196,567 |
| November 2025 | $1,197,276 |
| December 2025 | $1,199,892 |
| January 2026 | $1,202,625 |
| February 2026 | $1,205,563 |
| March 2026 | $1,207,312 |
| April 2026 | $1,206,336 |
| May 2026 | $1,202,904 |
| June 2026 | $1,198,474 |
| July 2026 | $1,195,019 |
| August 2026 | $1,194,742 |
| September 2026 | $1,195,906 |
Closed Sales in Lake Forest
Recorded MLS closings, last 90 days through October 22, 2026.
145Closings
$1,220,000Median recorded closing (CRMLS)+8.4% vs the same window last year
$614Median price per sq ft
32Median days on market
96.4%Sale to original list
19%Cash purchases
Recent Lake Forest sales
| Address | Type | Closed | Price | Sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20702 El Toro 90 | Condo | Oct 21, 2026 | $485,500 | 916 |
| 24142 Minnetonka Lane | Single-family | Oct 21, 2026 | $1,085,000 | 1,570 |
| 20 Forster | Single-family | Oct 21, 2026 | $1,650,000 | 2,501 |
| 25091 Shaver Lake Circle | Single-family | Oct 21, 2026 | $1,652,500 | 2,861 |
| 21792 Eveningside Lane | Single-family | Oct 20, 2026 | $1,288,650 | 1,796 |
| 25211 Cinnamon | Single-family | Oct 19, 2026 | $1,135,000 | 2,474 |
| 23222 Orange 4 | Condo | Oct 19, 2026 | $415,000 | 895 |
| 23292 Orange Avenue 6 | Condo | Oct 16, 2026 | $400,000 | 928 |
These figures count closings recorded in the MLS over the window shown. The market report above opens with the same median. Its other figures use monthly Redfin and Realtor.com data. Sale to original list excludes relisted properties. Cash purchases counts sales recorded as all cash.
For a broader look at pricing and inventory across the county, see our Orange County real estate guide.
How does Lake Forest compare? Our Orange County real estate statistics reports the median for every city we cover at three points in time, going back to 2012.
Browse by Community
Lake Forest Communities
Pick a community to see its homes for sale and recorded closings.
| Community | For sale | Median asking price | Closings in 12 months | Median recorded closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironridge | 10 | $1,094,500 | 10 | $1,022,500 |
| Pheasant Creek | 9 | $425,000 | 15 | $425,000 |
| Le Parc | 9 | $515,000 | 9 | $554,995 |
| The Meadows | 8 | $2,324,000 | 9 | $2,295,000 |
| Woods | 8 | $1,359,500 | 8 | $1,420,000 |
| The Oaks at Portola Hills | 8 | $2,546,495 | 7 | $2,520,000 |
| Aliso Creek Villas | 7 | $440,000 | 13 | $375,000 |
| Serrano Summit | 7 | $1,769,000 | 10 | $1,406,500 |
| Tuscany | 7 | $550,000 | 2 | |
| Laguna North | 6 | $1,175,000 | 8 | $1,150,000 |
| Vista del Flores | 5 | $525,000 | 5 | $772,700 |
| Lake Forest Keys | 4 | $2,312,500 | 21 | $1,675,000 |
| Cedar Glen | 4 | $587,450 | 13 | $585,000 |
| Montecido | 4 | $690,000 | 8 | $763,100 |
| Countryside | 4 | $1,157,500 | 7 | $1,155,000 |
| Deane Lake Homes | 4 | $1,522,000 | 6 | $1,390,000 |
| Salerno | 4 | $584,500 | 4 | $602,000 |
| San Remo Villas | 4 | $825,000 | 4 | $830,000 |
| Highlands | 4 | $2,145,000 | 2 | |
| Lakeside Park | 3 | $690,000 | 4 | $830,000 |
| Tierra Vista | 3 | $699,900 | 4 | $720,500 |
| White Oak | 3 | $489,000 | 4 | $464,500 |
| Wind Rows | 3 | $1,100,000 | 3 | $1,040,000 |
| Viewpoint | 3 | $3,295,000 | 2 | |
| Lake Forest Shores | 3 | $784,000 | 1 | |
| Sand Castle | 3 | $599,999 | ||
| Woods - Baldwin | 3 | $1,399,900 | ||
| Grandview | 2 | $697,450 | 14 | $807,500 |
| The Rowe | 2 | $1,020,944 | 8 | $1,076,250 |
| Serrano Park I | 2 | $1,267,000 | 7 | $1,487,500 |
Other Lake Forest Communities
- Alderwood
- Aliso Creek Village
- Aliso Park Estates
- Aliso Woods
- Antigua
- Bella Palermo
- Belwood Park
- Bench Mark Villas
- Bennett Ranch South
- Beverly Court
- Brittany
- California Coventry
- California Parke
- Camden Square
- Canyon Oaks
- Carriage Hill
- Concord Crossing
- Creekside
- Crestline
- El Paseo
- El Toro Care Free
- Fieldstone Classic
- Greenridge
- Heights
- Hillview
- Influential Homes
- Lake Forest Townhomes
- Lake Forest Woods
- Lake Park West
- Live Oak
- Lyon Hills
- Lyon Parkside
- Meadow Homes I
- Meadow Homes II
- Meadowwood Homes
- Montbury on the Hill
- Normandale Heights
- Oaks
- Oreste
- Palacio
- Park Place
- Park West Estates
- Parkside
- Parkview
- Parkwood Estates
- Pebble Creek
- Portola Hills
- Rancho Viejo Condos I
- Rancho Viejo Condos II
- Rancho Viejo Homes
- Republic
- Richwood
- Saddleback Valley Views
- Serenado
- Serrano Creek Villas
- Serrano Woods
- Shadow Glen
- Shadow Run (SD)
- Smoketree
- Sterling Heights
- Summit
- Sunwood
- Sycamore Creek
- Sycamore Ridge
- Teresina
- Terraces
- The Courts
- The Landing
- The Oaks
- The Peake
- Toll Brothers
- Topaz
- Trabuco Highlands
- Village Homes
- Villorio
- Vineyards
- Vista Verde
- Whisler Ridge
- Whispering Trees
- Willow Glen
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Lake Forest Homes by Type and Feature
Lake Forest Single-Family Homes
Lake Forest Condos
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Lake Forest Manufactured Homes
Lake Forest Homes with Pools
Lake Forest Ocean View Homes
Lake Forest Single-Story Homes
Lake Forest Gated Community Homes
Lake Forest New Construction Homes
Lake Forest Homes Under $500K
Lake Forest Homes Under $1 Million
Lake Forest Homes Under $2 Million
Lake Forest Luxury Homes
Lake Forest New Listings
Lake Forest Price-Reduced Homes
Nearby
Cities Near Lake Forest
86,000
Population
$1.22M
Median Sale Price (90 days)
17 sq mi
Land Area
1991
Incorporated
Added by Realatrends Real Estate
Flood, Fire and Earthquake Zones for Lake Forest Homes for Sale
Of the 249 homes for sale in Lake Forest on October 28, 2026, 50 are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and none are inside FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area.
In the California Geological Survey's Seismic Hazard Zones, 31 are in a liquefaction zone and 6 are in an earthquake-induced landslide zone.
Fiber service is reported in the census blocks of 46 percent of them.
- Homes for sale: CRMLS, as of October 28, 2026.
- Fire zones: CAL FIRE, the State Fire Marshal's 2025 map for Local Responsibility Areas and the 2024 State Responsibility Area map. Each city adopts its own map and may add areas. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Flood zones: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Seismic Hazard Zones: California Geological Survey. Reproduced with permission, California Geological Survey, Webservice of Official Maps of Seismic Hazard Zones (2025). Checked October 15, 2026.
- Fiber: FCC National Broadband Map, provider-reported data. Not endorsed by the FCC. Checked October 15, 2026.
Official maps
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Forest
How many condos and townhomes are for sale in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest had 94 condos for sale on October 29, 2026, plus 17 townhomes, according to the MLS. Browse them on our Lake Forest condos and Lake Forest townhomes pages.
Are there new construction homes for sale in Lake Forest?
On October 29, 2026, MLS listings in Lake Forest included 8 homes for sale that their agents flagged as new construction. Our Lake Forest new construction homes page lists them.
What is the Lake Forest real estate market like?
Buyers in Lake Forest paid a median of $1,220,000 in the last 90 days through October 22, 2026, up 8.4% from the same window a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 32 days on market. Leaving out relisted homes, the median sale closed at 96.4% of its original list price. Our Lake Forest housing market page shows prices and sales for every year since 2012.
How much do homes cost in Lake Forest?
The median sale price in Lake Forest was $1,220,000 over the last 90 days through October 22, 2026, across 145 recorded MLS closings, up 8.4% from the same window a year earlier. Prices and sales for every year since 2012 are on our Lake Forest housing market page.
What school district serves Lake Forest?
Lake Forest is served primarily by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. District boundaries do not always follow city limits, and high school assignment in particular splits between El Toro High School (south and west) and Trabuco Hills High School (Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, parts of Baker Ranch). Confirm the assignment for any specific address before a purchase decision.
What is the difference between Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch?
All three are sub areas of Lake Forest with their own master plans. Foothill Ranch (built out by 2000) sits at the base of Saddleback with mature landscaping and Mediterranean architecture. Portola Hills, further east, is smaller and trades more affordably. Baker Ranch (built 2017 to 2020) is the newest, most amenity rich, and most expensive on a median basis, with modern construction plus pools, parks, and clubhouses.
Are there HOAs in Lake Forest?
HOA structure varies by sub area. Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch each operate under their own master HOAs with sub HOAs for individual tracts. The original Lake Forest core has the Sun and Sail Club for member households (pool, tennis, lake access) and individual condo or townhouse HOAs. Always request the current CC&R and HOA disclosure package as part of due diligence.
What is the closest beach?
Laguna Beach is the closest, approximately 10 to 12 miles southwest via the 133 toll road (about 15 minutes off peak). Aliso Beach and Crescent Bay are similarly close. Newport Beach is roughly 18 miles west via the 5 and the 73 toll road.
How does Lake Forest compare to Mission Viejo and Irvine?
Lake Forest spans a wider range of housing stock than either Mission Viejo or Irvine, from 1970s era homes in the original core to brand new Baker Ranch construction. Median prices sit between Mission Viejo (slightly lower citywide) and Irvine (notably higher). Lake Forest also has more direct access to wilderness recreation through Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park than either neighbor.
How many Lake Forest homes for sale are there right now?
The MLS showed 247 homes for sale in Lake Forest on October 29, 2026, counting houses, condos, townhomes and multi-unit buildings, with each home counted once and manufactured homes left out.
Active inventory shifts week to week, so the listings grid at the top of this page pulls live MLS data and the count and homes you see are current.
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Neighborhoods, schools, commute, and daily life from brokers who live and work on this coast.
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