About Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is an upscale city located on the southern coast of Orange County, one of the most scenic stretches of the Southern California coast. Just under ten square miles in area, it makes up for its small size with a wealth of beaches and parks strewn across its seven-mile coast. It sits in between two other high-end coastal cities, Newport Beach and Dana Point, and is bordered by the Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Woods further inland.

The city is widely known for its art community and is home to a number of world-famous museums and art galleries. It is also a popular spot for films, weddings, and photo shoots, thanks to its pristine coastline and unobstructed views of the Pacific. Tourism has always played an important role in the Laguna Beach economy, drawing in thousands of visitors every year with its unique collection of parks, beaches, shops, restaurants, and various other attractions.

Laguna Beach History

Laguna Beach history did not start with a Spanish land grant, as did most of Orange County. It was first occupied by coastal Indians, who called it “Lagonas” settled along the two lagoons found in what is now the Laguna Canyon area. In the 1870s, a series of laws called the Timber-Culture Acts allowed anyone to own land provided they planted trees over a ten-year period, but the steep, rocky lands made it unsuitable for farming.

It was also around this time that Laguna started becoming known as a beach resort. Early on in Laguna Beach history, residents from inland villages like El Toro and Santa Ana would trek over to spend the weekend on the coast. Some 20 years later, Laguna Beach had around 15 families calling it home, but the “weekenders” continued to come regularly.

The city’s reputation as an artists’ resort can be traced later in Laguna Beach history, when an artist named Norman St. Clair came for a visit in the early 1900s. He began a series of paintings depicting the views and soon attracted other artists. Over the next decade, Laguna Beach had become home to over 30 artists, and in 1918, the Laguna Beach Art Association was created and still operates today.

Laguna Beach homes and real estate

Today, Laguna Beach is known as much for its art community as for its luxury real estate. Laguna Beach homes offer some of the best views in Southern California, and most are built specifically to preserve these views. Much of Laguna Beach real estate is located in private gated communities, each offering amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and even access to private cove beaches. This, coupled with the relaxed upscale feel that pervades the city, makes Laguna Beach homes practically synonymous to luxury living.

Needless to say, Laguna Beach real estate is among the most valuable on the California coast. Prices reached a median of $4 million prior to the recession; with the housing crunch slowing the market down, it has since dropped to $2 million. Nevertheless, it is still well above the Orange County median of $450,000, which itself is above average. Laguna Beach homes are expected to climb back up in the next few years, as the market stabilizes and community developments pull up property values.