Crystal Cove State Park: 2,400+ acres
El Morro Elementary
Part of the Laguna Beach Unified School District, El Morro serves the Crystal Cove area of Newport Coast. The campus sits on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific.
Public
K-5
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Master-Planned Luxury Above the Pacific
Newport Coast is the eastern hillside of Newport Beach, a master-planned collection of guard-gated luxury communities developed by the Irvine Company on the ridgeline above Crystal Cove State Park. It is the newest section of Newport Beach and, in many ways, the most intentionally designed. Where neighborhoods like Corona del Mar and the Balboa Peninsula evolved organically over decades, Newport Coast was planned from the ground up as a luxury residential destination, built around a world-class resort, two championship golf courses, and thousands of acres of preserved open space.
Newport Coast real estate is defined by a few things that set it apart from the rest of Newport Beach. First, almost every neighborhood here is guard-gated with 24-hour security. Second, the homes are newer construction, mostly built from the late 1990s through the 2010s, with larger floor plans, higher ceilings, and more modern infrastructure than the older coastal neighborhoods to the west. Third, the views are panoramic. Sitting at elevation above the coast, many Newport Coast homes have sweeping sightlines across the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, the Pelican Hill Golf Course, Newport Harbor, and the city lights of the basin below.
Newport Coast homes for sale span a wide range within the luxury segment. Condos and townhomes in communities like Altezza start in the low $1 million range. Single-family homes in Newport Ridge and the smaller Pelican neighborhoods typically range from $3 million to $7 million. Custom estates in Pelican Hill, Pelican Crest, and the Estate Collection at Crystal Cove trade from $8 million to well over $20 million. The common thread across all of it is the gated, resort-style living experience that drew buyers here in the first place.
The File Group works with buyers and sellers throughout Newport Coast. As the #1 Compass team in neighboring Corona del Mar with over $945 million in closed sales, we understand the dynamics of this market, from the HOA structures and sub-association dues to the view premiums and the resale patterns within each gated community. If you are looking at Newport Coast real estate, we can walk you through the options and help you find the right fit.
Crystal Cove is the crown jewel of Newport Coast. It is a double guard-gated community perched on the bluffs directly above Crystal Cove State Park, with pedestrian tunnel access to the beach. The community includes several sub-neighborhoods (Oceana, Coral Crest, and the Estate Collection among them), ranging from production-luxury single-family homes to fully custom oceanfront estates on lots exceeding half an acre. Front-row homes in Crystal Cove command some of the highest prices in all of Newport Beach, regularly trading in the low-to-mid eight figures. The Canyon Club serves as the community's social hub, offering a resort-style pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and event programming for residents.
Pelican Hill is a guard-gated enclave of approximately 140 custom-built estates surrounding the Pelican Hill Golf Course and Resort. The architecture leans Mediterranean and Tuscan, with large-scale properties designed for indoor-outdoor entertaining, expansive view terraces, and resort-caliber pools. Views from Pelican Hill span the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, the golf course, and Newport Harbor. Homes here typically range from $8 million to over $20 million. As of early 2026, the median sale price in Pelican Hill is approximately $15.5 million, making it one of the most expensive residential enclaves in coastal Orange County.
Pelican Crest sits at the highest elevation in the Pelican family of neighborhoods, with just 166 custom estate lots. The elevation gives many homes uninterrupted panoramic views across the coastline, harbor, and city lights. Properties in Pelican Crest tend to be among the largest and most architecturally ambitious in Newport Coast, with homes frequently exceeding 10,000 square feet. One estate in the community was previously featured in Architectural Digest. This is the neighborhood for buyers who want the most expansive views and the greatest sense of elevation and privacy within Newport Coast.
Pelican Ridge is a larger community within the Pelican group, divided into sub-sections including Civita, Ocean Ridge, and Pelican Ridge Estates. Homes range from approximately 4,500 to 7,000 square feet on oversized lots, with ocean, canyon, and golf course views depending on position. Pelican Ridge Estates is often cited as one of the best values within the Pelican communities, offering the same guard-gated security, Mediterranean architecture, and community amenities (clubhouse, pool, tennis courts) at a somewhat lower price point than Pelican Hill or Pelican Crest. Prices here generally range from $4 million to $10 million.
These are two smaller enclaves within the broader Pelican family. Pelican Heights offers semi-custom luxury homes with golf course and ocean views. Pelican Point is the only oceanfront guard-gated community within Newport Coast, with homes that have direct proximity to Crystal Cove State Beach. Pelican Point homes are rare on the market and highly sought after because of that beach adjacency.
For buyers looking for an entry point into Newport Coast, Newport Ridge offers single-family homes in a gated setting with community parks, a pool, and family-friendly amenities. Homes here are smaller and more moderately priced than the Pelican and Crystal Cove communities, typically ranging from $2 million to $4 million. Altezza is a condominium community within Newport Coast that offers the area's most accessible price point, with units historically trading from the low $1 million to low $2 million range. Both are good options for buyers who want the Newport Coast address, school district, and gated lifestyle without the custom estate price tag.
Pacific Ridge is a guard-gated community located along the ridgeline with ocean, canyon, and Catalina views. It features a mix of floor plans and architectural styles, and as of early 2026, the median sale price is approximately $7.6 million, though there is wide variation depending on the plan and view orientation. Pacific Ridge appeals to buyers who want Newport Coast's gated lifestyle and elevated views at a slightly more approachable price point than Crystal Cove or Pelican Hill.
Newport Coast's dining scene is anchored by the Resort at Pelican Hill, which offers Andrea, an Italian fine dining restaurant with ocean-view terraces, and Pelican Grill, a more casual option overlooking the golf course. The Crystal Cove Promenade, a retail center at the base of the hillside communities, has several everyday dining options including Javier's for upscale Mexican, Taleo for modern Latin cuisine, and Crystal Cove Shake Shack. The Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove State Park is a local institution, serving breakfast and lunch right on the sand in one of the restored 1930s beach cottages.
For broader dining, Fashion Island is a 10-minute drive and offers dozens of restaurants ranging from Fig and Olive to True Food Kitchen to Nobu. Corona del Mar's Village dining scene (Five Crowns, Bandera, The Quiet Woman) is equally close. Newport Coast residents tend to treat the dining options across Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, and Laguna Beach as extensions of their own neighborhood, because everything is within a short drive.
The Crystal Cove Promenade handles daily errands with a Pavilions grocery store, dry cleaners, and pharmacy. For serious shopping, Fashion Island is the nearest destination, offering over 200 retailers from Neiman Marcus to local boutiques. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, one of the highest-grossing retail centers in the country, is about 15 minutes north on the 73. Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach has a more curated, boutique-driven collection for those who prefer a waterside shopping experience.
Crystal Cove State Park is the defining outdoor amenity for Newport Coast. The park spans over 2,400 acres with 3.2 miles of coastline, 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, tide pools, and a collection of 46 restored historic beach cottages from the 1930s and 1940s. Several Newport Coast communities have direct pedestrian tunnel access to the park, meaning residents can walk to the beach without getting in a car or crossing PCH.
The Pelican Hill Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf across two Tom Fazio-designed courses, with ocean views on nearly every hole, making it one of the area's premier golf destinations. The courses are open to resort guests and club members, and they regularly rank among the top public-access courses in the country. Beyond golf, the Pelican Hill Spa offers a full range of wellness treatments in a setting that overlooks the Pacific. For more active pursuits, the trails in Crystal Cove connect to the larger Laguna Coast Wilderness Park system, giving runners, hikers, and mountain bikers access to ridgeline routes with views stretching from Laguna Beach to Catalina.
Part of the Laguna Beach Unified School District, El Morro serves the Crystal Cove area of Newport Coast. The campus sits on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific.
Public
K-5
The neighborhood elementary school for most Newport Coast families. Part of IUSD, it is highly rated and known for strong parent involvement and small community feel.
Public
K-6
The Laguna Beach Unified School District's middle school and the direct feeder for El Morro graduates.
6-8
Part of IUSD, located in Irvine but serving Newport Coast students. Strong academic and extracurricular programs.
7-8
The Laguna Beach Unified School District's high school, serving students from Thurston Middle.
Public
9-12
Located within Newport Coast, Sage Hill is one of the top private college preparatory high schools in Orange County. It offers small class sizes, a rigorous academic curriculum, and a campus with ocean views. Many Newport Coast families choose Sage Hill as an alternative to the public high school.
Private
9-12
Newport Coast is served by the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) for elementary and middle school, and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) for high school. Both are among the highest-rated districts in Orange County.
Newport Coast Elementary (Grades K-6): The neighborhood elementary school for most Newport Coast families. Part of IUSD, it is highly rated and known for strong parent involvement and small community feel.
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School (Grades 7-8): Part of IUSD, located in Irvine but serving Newport Coast students. Strong academic and extracurricular programs.
Corona del Mar High School (Grades 9-12): Newport Coast students attend CdM High, which is part of NMUSD and ranked among the top public high schools in California with an A+ rating from Niche. CdM High is known for competitive athletics, a strong AP program, and high college admission rates.
Sage Hill School (Private, Grades 9-12): Located within Newport Coast, Sage Hill is one of the top private college preparatory high schools in Orange County. It offers small class sizes, a rigorous academic curriculum, and a campus with ocean views. Many Newport Coast families choose Sage Hill as an alternative to the public high school.
El Morro Elementary School: El Morro Elementary School is a highly rated public elementary school which is part of the Laguna Beach Unified School District and serves approximately 400 to 420 students from kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is famously situated on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Thurston Middle School: Thurston Middle School is the only middle school in the Laguna Beach Unified School District, it serves approximately 600 students in grades 6 through 8 and acts as the direct feeder school for El Morro Elementary graduates.
Laguna Beach High School: Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) is the sole high school in the Laguna Beach Unified School District, it serves roughly 900 to 1,000 students in grades 9 through 12 and is the direct destination for Thurston Middle School graduates.
Other private options nearby include Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar (K-8) and St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. The combination of IUSD elementary schools, CdM High, and Sage Hill gives Newport Coast families an unusually strong range of educational options for a community of this size.
Crystal Cove State Park: 2,400+ acres
Golf: 36 holes (Pelican Hill)
Schools: IUSD + NMUSD