An Orange County bedroom community with luxury living in the coastal hills
One of California’s first master-planned communities, Laguna Niguel blends natural landscapes with a luxe style. Many of the city’s 63,000 residents live in gated communities of Mediterranean mansions, steps away from an expansive parks and recreation system. Here miles of trails wind through the San Joaquin Hills, leading to overlooks of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ana Mountains. With a Mediterranean climate, Laguna Niguel is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts, although it’s popular more generally too. “It's in really high demand, a desirable city, so a lot of people want to live there,” says Realtor Robert Najafinia, who works with Realty One Group West and has over two decades of experience in the area. Halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Niguel doesn’t quite rest on the ocean. The city battled Dana Point for Salt Creek Beach in 1986 and lost. But it’s only a couple of miles away from the rugged bluffs, soft sand and surfable waves of Southern California’s coastline.
Laguna Niguel City is an Orange County bedroom community with luxury living and great views.
Laguna Niguel City is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Laguna Niguel City os one of California's first master-planned communities.
There are miles of trails through the hills of Laguna Niguel City with stunning ocean views.
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Laguna Niguel Regional Park and more recreation opportunities
Over a third of Laguna Niguel is public open space, divided between 31 city parks and four Orange County parks. With about 230 acres of land, Laguna Niguel Regional Park is the largest in the city and is located in the northern half of the community. The park offers picnic shelters, pickleball courts and Laguna Niguel Lake, a reservoir where residents can go fishing and see ducks. The city also has over 80 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Bordering the city’s western side, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park has some of the most popular trails. The scenery includes coastal canyons, grasslands and the Dripping Cave, where robbers used to hide before stealing from stagecoaches in the 1850s. As a wildlife sanctuary, the park features rare animals like killdeer and red diamond rattlesnakes.
Laguna Niguel Regional Park offers great spots for fishing in Laguna Niguel City.
Over a third of Laguna Niguel City is public open space including many great beaches nearby.
Laguna Niguel City has over 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback.
Laguna Lake is a popular destination for a peaceful day out in Laguna Niguel City.
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Salt Creek Beach, plus more attractions and events
One of the main attractions of Laguna Niguel is proximity to the beaches of Laguna Beach and Dana Point, including Salt Creek Beach. From the top of a bluff, locals can watch the sunset over the water or walk down to surf, with huge waves created by an offshore reef. “It has a lot of areas for hiking and spending time with the family. It’s a very nice beach with a lot of areas for laying and sitting down. It's a wide beach with a lot of sand, whereas other beaches have a lot of rocks,” Najafinia says. 1000 Steps Beach offers tide pool wildlife watching and access to a sea cave during low tide. For those who prefer dry land, the centrally located Niguel Botanical Preserve has over 2,000 plant species in multiple gardens, with a sculpture section and a labyrinth overlooking the Saddleback Valley.
Crown Valley Park is the epicenter of the community geographically and in spirit, hosting over 250,000 visitors annually at frequent events. Its summer concert series is especially popular, with live music ranging from Motown to rock and roll in an outdoor amphitheater. The park also has Fall Flicks, family-friendly movies during the month of September, and Haunted Trails during October. This Halloween-themed event includes costumed actors that scare visitors.
One of the main attractions of Laguna Niguel City is the proximity to the local beaches.
The Laguna Niguel Preserve has a stunning labyrinth in Laguna Niguel City.
Take a short trip to the popular 1000 step beach for a day of fun near Laguna Niguel.
Tide pools near Laguna Niguel City have a variety of ocean life.
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Mediterranean homes, ranch-style houses and more in Laguna Niguel
As a master-planned community, Laguna Niguel is composed of sprawling subdivisions that ascend through hillsides, with trails and parks woven into each pocket of the city. Most neighborhoods have views of the hills, and some of the more upscale, guard-gated communities have ocean views. Many of the neighborhoods have HOAs, which can take care of landscaping, clubhouses and community pools. Here Mediterranean homes are predominant and cost around $6 million. Midcentury ranch-style homes are priced at about $2 million, while townhouses and condos cost around $750,000. The city has a median sales price of $1.3 million, with an average of 28 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44 days.
Laguna Niguel City has master planned communities that ascend through the hillside.
Many beautiful homes in Laguna Niguel City are mediterranean style architecture.
Laguna Niguel City consists of high quality ranch and mediterranean style homes.
Mediterranean style homes with amazing mountain views are plentiful in Laguna Niguel City.
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The award-winning Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District has an A-plus on Niche. Its 11 National Blue Ribbon schools and 19 Golden Bell-winning programs exemplify academic excellence. Serving over 41,000 students, it has a student-teacher ratio of 23-to-1. Nearby higher education options include Chapman University, Saddleback College and the University of California, Irvine, which earns an A-plus on Niche.
John Malcolm Elementary School is Part of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Moulton Elementary School, in Laguna Niguel, is a Blue Ribbon school.
The entrance to the Niguel Hills Sharks Middle School.
St. Anne School has experienced teachers that foster a positive learning experience.
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The Center at Rancho Niguel mall and more retail areas
The community’s densest retail area is on its northern side, where there are boutiques and diverse restaurants at The Center at Rancho Niguel shopping mall. Also in the north, the Plaza de la Paz Shopping Center is a big box center with grocery shopping and department stores. The Laguna Niguel Plaza and Crown Valley Mall are strip malls centrally located in Laguna Niguel, and the Ocean Ranch Village mall is in the city’s southern section. The City Center Mixed Use Project, approved by the city council in 2022, will become Laguna Niguel’s downtown. The walkable area will have shopping, restaurants, plazas and more.
The Center at Rancho Niguel is a popular destination for outdoor dining in Laguna Niguel.
Ocean Ranch Village has a wide variety of restaurants and shops in Laguna Niguel City.
Plaza De La Paz Shopping Center in Laguna Niguel City has popular High Tide Coffee Shop.
Pick up some fashionable clothes at the boutiques in The Center at Rancho Niguel.
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A 20-mile drive to Irvine and 30 miles to Santa Ana
Laguna Niguel is a car-dependent commuter community. Via state Route 73, the city is about 20 miles away from Irvine. It’s also 30 miles away from Santa Ana using the same route. Some residents work with Laguna Niguel’s biggest employers: the United States government, Costco and the Capistrano Unified School District. For public transportation, residents can find multiple Orange County Transportation Authority bus stops throughout the city. It also has a free summer trolley program, from Crown Valley Park to Salt Creek Beach. At the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station, commuters can take the Metrolink Orange County Line to Los Angeles and San Diego. The closest major airport is the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, about 20 miles away.
Decreasing crime and the Laguna Niguel Police Department
According to the FBI, Laguna Niguel’s violent crime rate has fallen from 25 to 13 per 100,000 people from 2022 to 2023, while the property crime rate has also decreased from 95 to 91. In comparison, the state of California’s violent crime rate has increased from 92 to 103, and the property crime rate has decreased from 209 to 207. The Laguna Niguel Police Department’s programs include citywide safety meetings and You Are Not Alone (YANA) service. For those who live alone, YANA provides free check-ins on their safety.
With an impressive track record in real estate and a dedication to serving her clients, Judy brings a unique blend of strategic expertise, deep community knowledge, and exceptional service to her role at Compass Realty. Known for her commitment to exceeding client expectations, Judy’s approach is grounded in integrity, market expertise, and a genuine passion for helping others achieve their real estate goals.
Judy’s career began in healthcare, where she quickly rose through senior sales management roles. Motivated by a commitment to excellence, she pursued an MBA at Pepperdine University, honing her expertise in high-stakes negotiations and complex contract management—skills that have proven instrumental to her success.
After transitioning to real estate, Judy distinguished herself as a top performer, building a loyal clientele and consistently outpacing her peers. While working with a leading team in Newport Beach, she honed her skills in Social Media Real Estate Marketing, earning a reputation for strategic insights and dedication to her clients.
Recently, Judy joined Compass Realty, drawn by its exceptional marketing capabilities and the strength of being part of one of the largest real estate companies in the United States. This move marks an exciting new chapter, allowing her to leverage Compass’s cutting-edge tools and vast network to deliver even greater value and expand her reach within Orange County’s competitive market.
As a 28-year resident of Orange County, Judy offers her clients an insider’s perspective on the area’s diverse neighborhoods and market trends. Outside of work, she leads an active lifestyle, enjoying mountain biking, hiking, Pilates, and stand-up paddleboarding with friends and family. She often spends time with her adult daughters, Molly and Kelly, and her beloved pets, Beau and London. Judy’s clients appreciate her dedication, expertise, and the genuine warmth she brings to every transaction.
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