Orange County Coast
Luxury Neighborhoods & Communities of Laguna Beach
From guard-gated coves to bluff-top enclaves above the water, a local’s guide to the neighborhoods that define Laguna Beach.
Laguna Beach’s best-known luxury neighborhoods are Emerald Bay, Irvine Cove and Three Arch Bay, the area’s three guard-gated beach communities, plus Lagunita, a gated street of homes above Victoria Beach. In the 12 months to October 25, 2026, Emerald Bay homes sold for a median $9,812,500 and Three Arch Bay homes for a median $7,025,000 in CRMLS records, against $3,200,000 for Laguna Beach as a whole, and an off-market Emerald Bay home set the Orange County record at $110 million in June 2026.
Laguna Beach Luxury Home Prices in 2026
Laguna Beach recorded 319 home sales in the 12 months to October 25, 2026, at a median price of $3,200,000, up 11.3% from $2,875,000 in the 12 months before, per CRMLS. Single-family homes sold for a median $3,350,000, and homes of every type sold for a median $1,593 per square foot. The four neighborhoods on this page price far above those lines. Emerald Bay homes sold for a median $2,708 per square foot and Three Arch Bay homes for $2,464, about 1.7 and 1.5 times the city figure. Emerald Bay, Irvine Cove and Three Arch Bay each sit behind a guard gate with a private beach for homeowners. Our Laguna Beach housing market report tracks the citywide numbers month by month.
For the practical side of a relocation, from property taxes to resident parking permits, read our guide to moving to Laguna Beach.
Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay Home Prices and Recent Sales
Emerald Bay recorded 12 home sales in the 12 months to October 25, 2026, at a median price of $9,812,500, or $2,708 per square foot, per CRMLS. Prices ran from $4,800,000 for a 2,107-square-foot home in November 2025 to $22,000,000 for 145 Emerald Bay in August 2026, the community’s top MLS sale of the year. Those MLS figures leave out a far bigger sale. In June 2026 an Emerald Bay home sold off-market for $110 million, an Orange County record, as the Orange County Business Journal reported that month. That one price is more than 11 times the community’s MLS median.
Emerald Bay Homes, Gate and Private Beach
Emerald Bay is a guard-gated community on the North Laguna coast, outside the Laguna Beach city limits in unincorporated Orange County. Homeowners share a private beach, a clubhouse and tennis courts. MLS records date its houses from 1930 to 2022, and the 12 homes sold in the past year ranged from 1,874 to 6,965 square feet of living space. Living area tells you little about price inside the gate: a 2,157-square-foot house sold for $15,050,000 in December 2025, while a 3,588-square-foot house sold for $9,700,000 in August 2026.
You can compare current listings with the most recent sales on our Emerald Bay homes for sale page.
Irvine Cove
Irvine Cove Home Prices and Recent Sales
Irvine Cove recorded one MLS home sale in the 12 months to October 25, 2026: 140 Irvine Cove Circle, an 8,570-square-foot home that closed at $14,000,000 in May 2026, or $1,634 per square foot. Over the three years to that date the MLS shows two Irvine Cove sales, $12,000,000 for a Monaco Drive home in April 2024 and the May 2026 sale. The neighborhood’s biggest reported prices do not appear in CRMLS records. An Irvine Cove estate on Riviera Drive sold for $70 million in November 2021, an Orange County record at the time, and a beachfront Irvine Cove home sold for $43 million at the end of that year, the Orange County Business Journal reported. On October 25, 2026, three Irvine Cove homes were listed for sale, at $21,995,000, $27,950,000 and $34,995,000.
Irvine Cove Homes and Private Beach
Irvine Cove is a guard-gated community at the north end of Laguna Beach, with a private beach for its homeowners. Its homes line Monaco Drive, Riviera Drive, Altamar Drive and the Irvine Cove streets: Circle, Court, Crest and Place. MLS records date the houses from 1959 to 2025. Homes run large, and the three listed in late October 2026 have 4,838 to 10,059 square feet. The highest CRMLS sale on record here closed at $35,820,000 in August 2018, also on Riviera Drive.
Browse current listings on our Irvine Cove homes for sale page.
Three Arch Bay
Three Arch Bay Home Prices and Recent Sales
Three Arch Bay recorded nine home sales in the 12 months to October 25, 2026, at a median price of $7,025,000, or $2,464 per square foot, per CRMLS. Prices ran from $3,400,000 for a 1,380-square-foot home in October 2026 to $19,750,000 for 3 N La Senda in April 2026, the community’s top sale of the year. Two homes sold above their list price, both on Vista del Sol: $9,500,000 against $8,890,000 in April 2026, and $13,600,000 against $13,500,000 in March 2026. On October 25, 2026, nine houses were listed for sale, asking $5,888,000 to $26,500,000.
Three Arch Bay Homes and Private Beach
Three Arch Bay is a guard-gated beach community in South Laguna, and its private beach is open to homeowners alone. Its streets include La Senda Drive, Stonington Road, Vista del Sol, Vista de la Luna and Bay Drive. MLS records date its houses from 1929 to 2024, and the nine homes sold in the past year ranged from 1,380 to 4,376 square feet. Three Arch Bay has the lowest entry price of the gated three: three of its nine sales closed under $5,000,000, against one of 12 in Emerald Bay and none in Irvine Cove.
Our Three Arch Bay homes for sale page lists each active home and the latest closings.
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Lagunita
Lagunita Home Prices and Recent Sales
No Lagunita home sold through the MLS in the 12 months to October 25, 2026. Over the three years to that date, six homes on Lagunita Drive sold for a median $9,647,500, from $3,845,000 in January 2024 to $25,975,000 for 16 Lagunita Drive in May 2024. The most recent sale closed in July 2025, when 13 Lagunita Drive sold for $15,400,000. On October 25, 2026, three Lagunita homes were listed for sale, asking $12,700,000, $23,995,000 and $25,000,000. We count Lagunita by street address, because the MLS labels some Lagunita Drive homes as Victoria Beach or leaves the community blank.
Lagunita Homes on Lagunita Drive
Lagunita is a gated street of homes on the ocean side of Coast Highway in South Laguna, above Victoria Beach. The six homes sold there since January 2024 were built between 1946 and 2008. The smallest, a 1,703-square-foot house from 1946, sold for $3,845,000; the largest, an 8,718-square-foot house from 1999, sold for $25,975,000, almost seven times as much. For more Laguna Beach homes with ocean views, our listings page covers every part of the city.
See what is listed now on our Lagunita homes for sale page.
How the Four Neighborhoods Compare
Of the four, Emerald Bay led in both sales and price per square foot in the 12 months to October 25, 2026: 12 sales at $2,708 per square foot, against nine sales at $2,464 in Three Arch Bay and one at $1,634 in Irvine Cove. Irvine Cove and Lagunita trade less often through the MLS, so one sale moves their figures, and Irvine Cove’s $70 million and $43 million sales do not appear in CRMLS records. Every recorded sale in the four neighborhoods over those 12 months topped the Laguna Beach median of $3,200,000. Our guide to Laguna Beach neighborhoods covers the rest of the city, from Smithcliffs to Top of the World.
| Neighborhood | Sales | Median sale | Sale range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Bay | 12 | $9,812,500 | $4.8M–$22M |
| Three Arch Bay | 9 | $7,025,000 | $3.4M–$19.75M |
| Irvine Cove | 1 | $14,000,000 | One sale |
| Lagunita | 0 | None | Last sale $15.4M, July 2025 |
| Laguna Beach | 319 | $3,200,000 | All homes |
Where These Figures Come From
Sale counts, medians and price ranges on this page come from closed home sales recorded in CRMLS from October 26, 2025 to October 25, 2026, leases, land and income property left out. The citywide figures match our Laguna Beach housing market report for the same dates. We matched each neighborhood by its MLS community name, then checked street addresses for homes the MLS left unlabeled, and we compared each sale price with its list price. The $110 million, $70 million and $43 million sales do not appear in CRMLS records; the Orange County Business Journal reported them on June 22, 2026, December 13, 2021 and January 17, 2022.
Buying or Selling in a Laguna Beach Luxury Neighborhood
Realatrends Real Estate has sold homes on this coast since 1983, with 700+ sales and $1B+ in closed transactions. In these four neighborhoods the MLS covers part of the market: the three highest prices on this page do not appear in it, and Irvine Cove and Lagunita go months between MLS sales. If you are pricing a home on La Senda, Monaco Drive or inside the Emerald Bay gate, we can walk you through the recorded sales on your street and what is listed now. For the wider market, start with our Laguna Beach real estate page, which carries every active listing and the latest closings.
Luxury Laguna Beach Neighborhood FAQs
What is the average price of homes in the most expensive neighborhoods in Laguna Beach?
The average price of homes can vary significantly based on the neighborhood. In Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove, homes can range from several million to over $20 million, while Three Arch Bay typically runs from several million into the tens of millions.
Are there any community amenities in these neighborhoods?
Yes, each neighborhood offers various community amenities, such as private beach access, parks, clubhouse facilities, and organized events that foster a sense of community among residents.
What types of properties are available in these neighborhoods?
Properties in these neighborhoods primarily consist of single-family homes, with architectural styles ranging from contemporary designs to Mediterranean-inspired villas. Many homes feature luxury amenities, such as pools, outdoor living spaces, and high-end finishes.
Is the real estate market in Laguna Beach competitive?
Yes, the Laguna Beach real estate market, especially in these luxury neighborhoods, is competitive due to high demand and limited inventory.
What makes these neighborhoods appealing to buyers?
These neighborhoods offer ocean views, luxury properties, private amenities, and a strong sense of community, with a serene coastal setting away from urban life.
How high are home values in Laguna Beach?
Homes in gated enclaves like Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove range from several million dollars to more than $20 million, and the city’s median sale price is about $3 million. Limited inventory and oceanfront settings keep values among the highest in Southern California.
Why is Laguna Beach so expensive?
Scarcity drives Laguna Beach prices. The city covers less than nine square miles between protected canyon greenbelt and the coastline, so new construction is rare and inventory stays tight. Strong demand for oceanfront and view homes, combined with the artist-village character that draws buyers year round, keeps values among the highest in Orange County.
See the full photo tour and details for 32229 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach CA 92651, a blufftop holding of just over four acres in South Laguna.
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