9 Reasons to Buy Luxury Real Estate in Newport Beach

The seaside town of Newport Beach in Orange County, California, makes a good case for itself as a great place to live: it’s sophisticated, charming, cultured, sporty, and fun, and its property prices and family income consistently place high in national rankings.

Newport Beach has everything on its doorstep, from pristine beaches and parks to the bright city lights of Los Angeles, just a short drive away. Those who decide to call this city home enjoy world-class culture and schools, high-end shopping, and countless recreational opportunities.

Sandy Chang is Marketing Director at First Team Real Estate, the Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate in the area. A longtime Orange County resident, she offers 9 reasons why she calls The O.C. home:

1. Natural Beauty
Newport Beach’s 10-mile coastline is a heavenly mix of golden-sand coves, world-famous surf spots, tranquil nature trails, and picturesque neighborhoods. Nature shows off here: the 30-foot waves that rise from the Pacific Ocean at The Wedge are among the biggest in Southern California; the coastal wetland of the Upper Newport Ecological Reserve is one of the finest bird-watching sites in North America; and Upper Newport Bay is one of the state’s most pristine estuaries.

2. Location
Part of what makes Newport one of the most desirable locations in the US is its close proximity to countless other destinations, including Big Bear Lake and Palm Springs. “You can surf in the morning, ski in the afternoon, and go on a desert safari in the evening,” says Chang. “And Los Angeles is just a quick jaunt up the 405 Freeway.”

3. Culture
“I’m proud of our city’s commitment to the arts,” says Chang, “and our amazing galleries and theaters, which bring the best exhibitions and performers to our doorstep.” Chang recommends the Segerstrom Center of the Arts and the Orange County Museum of Art, and loves The Getty Museum and the recently opened Broad Museum, both in nearby Los Angeles. The Broad, a dazzling building that looks like a giant net, houses 2,000 exhibits by post-war and contemporary stars such as Basquiat, Giacometti, and Warhol.

4. Schools
“We have many award-winning schools, including Corona del Mar High School and Harbor Day School, which are among the best in the US. And we also have University of California, Irvine, an excellent university with a world-class reputation for engineering. Of course, I may be a bit biased, as it’s my alma mater,” Chang says.

5. Golf
The Resort at Pelican Hill’s two award-winning golf courses, designed by Tom Fazio, overlook the Pacific Ocean and have wowed critics and players alike – they’re guaranteed to give you the drive of your life.

6. Shopping
Few places in the United States offer such high-caliber retail. “Another thing that separates Newport Beach from just about every other beach community in the US is our access to the world’s best fashion houses,” says Chang. “South Coast Plaza, with labels such as Chanel, Christian Louboutin, and Saint Laurent, rivals retail mecca Rodeo Drive. And we also have Fashion Island, the premier outdoor shopping destination in the country. Its team of personal shoppers will leap to your rescue if you’ve forgotten a birthday. You can call and give them an idea of what you’re after, and they’ll organize everything, even down to bringing the beautifully wrapped gift to your office.”

7. Restaurants
For gourmet diners with a preference for the Californian coast, Newport Beach is in a class of its own, with more than 4,000 restaurants to choose from. “True Food Kitchen is my go-to for healthy, seasonal food,” says Chang, but the Newport dining scene goes far beyond conscience nutrition. Our ever-growing list of upscale restaurants – Fig & Olive, Mastro’s Ocean Club, and Red O Restaurant – means the only challenge of planning a dinner date is deciding where to go. “If you’re a yachtsman, the question in Newport isn’t simply where to eat, but how to arrive, since several restaurants offer a “dock and dine” experience. Guests pull up in their yachts, enjoy a meal and then sail away; or, they can pick up a sumptuous meal to eat on board while cruising around the harbor.

8. The neighborhoods
Newport Beach has 10 neighborhoods, each with its own distinct style and vibe. Chang enjoys wandering around Balboa Island on a lazy Sunday afternoon, taking clients to dinner in the Crystal Cove area, and exploring the many boutiques along the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Corona del Mar.

9. Real estate
“Some of our largest listings in the area are in Newport Beach,” says Chang. “Currently one of our newest listings is in an area of Newport called Corona Highlands. It’s a contemporary masterpiece with 270-degree views of the Pacific, a local nature reserve, and famous Fashion Island—listed at $10.99 million. Crystal Cove residences, in Laguna Beach, also command high prices—between $3,000,000 and $7,000,000.”