$2,465,636Average Value$1,325Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Arch Beach Heights is a residential subdivision in the hills of Laguna Beach
On the surface, Arch Beach Heights may seem like any other residential neighborhood in Laguna Beach: it has eclectic homes, palm trees and views of the Pacific Ocean from its hillside vantage point. But the origins of Arch Beach Heights are anything but standard. Today, the median home price in this neighborhood is over $2 million. But when the subdivision’s empty lots were first divvied up in 1911, they were typically selling for less than $50. “Arch Beach Heights was laid out by someone who had never even seen the area. They just took a grid of streets and plopped it down on top of the map without thinking about the hilly topography, so many lots just became inaccessible and couldn’t be built on,” says Michael “Mike” Johnson, a longtime Laguna Beach resident and Realtor with the Mike Johnson Group at Compass. The lots in Arch Beach Heights weren’t selling, so developers devised a unique way to promote the parcels: “In the 1920s, people could buy encyclopedia sets and, as a bonus, get a free parcel of land. But the catch was, you had to hike up to your lot since there were also no roads at the time,” Johnson says. After proper roads were built in the 1960s and 70s, a surge of residents moved into Arch Beach Heights and built their homes.
Custom million-dollar homes from the mid-to-late 20th century
Homes in Arch Beach Heights were built during the latter half of the 20th century and exhibit custom architecture across Craftsman, Mediterranean, Spanish and contemporary housing styles. Because of the neighborhood’s steep hills and fluctuating terrain, homes here offer more privacy and distance from Laguna Beach’s more populated areas along the oceanfront. “When you get to the top of the hill that Arch Beach Heights is on, you’re flabbergasted at how many houses are up there because you can’t see them from down below,” Johnson says. Most properties range from about $1.6 million to $6 million, with a median price of $2.3 million. The handful of homes that cost upwards of $6 million are typically larger, newer estates that fall outside the neighborhood’s grid-like pattern.
Arch Beach Heights steep hills and fluctuating terrain offer homes with more privacy than the areas below.
One way and winding streets reveal many hills in the high hillsides of Arch Beach Heights.
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Laguna Beach School District serves students in this neighborhood
Arch Beach Heights is zoned for the Laguna Beach Unified School District, which receives an overall A-plus rating from Niche. The A-rated Top of the World Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Thurston Middle is also rated A and welcomes grades six through eight. Laguna Beach High School is an A-plus-rated institution with award-winning athletic programs and an advanced academic curriculum, including more than 20 Advanced Placement courses. Students can also enroll in private schools located in nearby communities, including the Sage Hill School in Newport Beach and any of the Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano.
Top of the World Elementary School serves Arch Beach Heights students with award wining education.
Thurston Middle School has modern amenities for Arch Beach Heights families.
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Outdoor recreation in Arch Beach Heights and the greater Bluebird Canyon area
Moulton Meadows Park is a wide-open outdoor recreation spot with picnic areas, a playground and athletic facilities for basketball, tennis, soccer and pickleball. Residents can also access a paved pedestrian trail at the park that connects Arch Beach Heights to the Top of the World neighborhood just over a mile away. The Mentally Sensitive hiking trail is also accessible at Moulton Meadows and presents a challenging trek through the Aliso and Woods Canyons. The trail’s interesting name, according to local lore, came about as the result of someone scratching off the first seven letters on a sign noting the vicinity as an official protected Environmentally Sensitive Area. The result was a sign reading “Mentally Sensitive Area,” and when the trail was officially established, the name remained. And thus was born the Mentally Sensitive Trail.
Less than a mile from the neighborhood is Bluebird Park, which has several playgrounds and play structures, making it a popular destination for families with young children. In the summertime, Bluebird Park hosts Music in the Park, a free concert series with weekly performances on Sunday evenings. Victoria Beach on the ocean is a 2-mile drive from Arch Beach Heights.
Arch Beach Heights is part of Laguna Beach’s larger Bluebird Canyon area, which has been designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the California Department of Forest and Fire Protection. Laguna Beach has several programs dedicated to mitigating fire risk in this area, including vegetation management programs like fuel modification for development and weed abatement. Homeowners can also request a wildfire consultation from the local fire department and have their properties assessed for free.
An Arch Beach Heights resident enjoys a walk through Moulton Meadows Park.
Bluebird Park west of Arch Beach Heights also has a playground with swings.
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Local restaurants and businesses in downtown Laguna Beach
Shopping and dining options are available down the hill from Arch Beach Heights along Coast Highway. As locals head north on the highway, they’ll come across restaurants like Maro Wood Grill, which serves Argentinian cuisine, a family-owned Italian bistro called Rumari, and Mozambique, a popular steakhouse and local favorite for an upscale dining experience. Arch Beach Heights is about 2.5 miles from downtown Laguna Beach, known locally as the Village. This pedestrian-friendly area is the heart of the city and is home to nearly 100 local businesses and restaurants. On Saturday mornings, locals flock to the Laguna Beach Farmers Market, which takes place in the downtown area and includes more than 40 vendors.
Arch Beach Heights residents enjoy getting thier produce at the Laguna Beach Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Dizz's As Is is a local favorite for fine dining near Arch Beach Heights.
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Free resident-only transit services like Laguna Local help beat the traffic
Driving is the preferred method of transportation in Arch Beach Heights, as its remote location makes it a more car-dependent neighborhood. Residents can take one of several winding roads out of the hills and down to Coast Highway, the main thoroughfare running north-south through Laguna Beach. “A lot of people who drive along the highway don’t even live in town; they just choose to do so because it’s a beautiful commute along the coast,” Johnson says. During tourist season, when parking becomes a sporting event, residents can avoid the hassle of finding a spot with a city-run service known as Laguna Local: “It’s a fleet of vans and cars with bright colors that essentially act like a free Uber service exclusively for residents,” Johnson says. “It’s meant to help people avoid having to park downtown and whatnot. You can use it to pre-arrange rides or do rideshare.” The city also operates the Laguna Beach Trolley, a free trolley service with a route along Coast Highway.
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
Candice Blair,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Moulton Meadows Park
Basketball
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
John Wayne/Orange County
29 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Arch Beach Heights
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Arch Beach Heights, Laguna Beach sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Arch Beach Heights, Laguna Beach over the last 12 months is $2,525,513, up 15% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
TWO WEEKS ONLY – RARE OCEAN VIEW OPPORTUNITY IN ARCH BEACH HEIGHTS!This is your one shot to secure a phenomenal deal before a full-scale renovation begins. Whether you're a savvy investor looking to capitalize on a prime Laguna Beach property or an end-user ready to create your forever ocean view dream home, this is the golden window of opportunity you've been waiting for—and it's only open for
The epitome of refined coastal living, this immaculate residence offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and the iconic Southern California coastline from its main living areas. An open-concept layout seamlessly connects the living and dining rooms to an expansive entertainer’s deck, where panoramic ocean vistas take center stage. Accented by exposed beam ceilings and walls
Located in the heart of Laguna Beach, 1744 Del Mar is a cozy, move-in-ready two-bedroom, one-bath home with breathtaking ocean views from both the living room and the rear of the property. The home features beautiful natural ceilings and great light, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Current plans to expand the home into a spacious three-bedroom, three-bathroom layout (within the existing
PRICE REDUCTION!! This home is perched on an expansive double lot with a side easement, this stunning Mark Singer original, ocean view home in Laguna Beach, is truly exceptional. Originally inspired by the lines of a piano and the flow of music, this recently remodeled 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath masterpiece offers a seamless blend of artistry and luxury. Window walls in the living room and kitchen offer
Introducing an exquisite three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence in the heart of Laguna Beach, boasting breathtaking, panoramic, ocean and Catalina views that will leave you in awe. Enjoy spectacular views from two expansive decks, and every level of the home, including ocean views from the charming rear yard! Recently remodeled, this home masterfully marries modern sophistication with coastal
Experience the ultimate in coastal luxury with this exquisite mid-century home, featuring vaulted ceilings and breathtaking 180-degree ocean views that stretch across the breaking waves, Catalina Island, city lights, and the coastline. Designed to maximize its spectacular surroundings, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers stunning vistas from nearly every room.The main bedroom suite provides
RARELY ON THE MARKET ! Sitting above the clouds in Laguna Beach this exquisite remodeled Arch Beach Home offers 3-bedroom, 2 bathrooms and unmatched white-water and Catalina Island views that stretch endlessly up the coast. Designed to embrace the Laguna Beach lifestyle, this 2,274 sq. ft. residence is an entertainer’s dream, featuring multiple ocean-view decks perfect for soaking in the
Welcome to your fully-furnished turn-key rental on the best street in Laguna Beach. Nestled on a rare double lot along the premier thoroughfare in Laguna Beach’s coveted Arch Beach Heights, this exquisite residence offers unparalleled privacy and stunning panoramic views. Here you’ll find enviable "sit down" vistas of Catalina Island, white water ocean waves, vibrant sunsets, and twinkling Laguna
Perched high in the Arch Beach Heights community, this stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers unmatched white-water and Catalina Island views that stretch endlessly up the coast. Designed to embrace the Laguna Beach lifestyle, this 2,362 sq. ft. residence is an entertainer’s dream, featuring multiple ocean-view decks perfect for soaking in the sunset, enjoying the sea breeze, and taking in
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Candice Blair,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,616
Median Age
54
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$155,250
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$178,821
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
72.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
3/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
