Neighborhood Spotlight: Newport Coast a tony spot with humble origins

Long before the Newport Beach area became one of the toniest stretches of the Orange County coastline, it was part of the massive Irvine Ranch, a sheep farming concern that sprawled over 120,000 undeveloped acres.

Nearby Balboa Peninsula became a center of shipping in the 1880s, with a long wharf and shipping warehouse springing up to export sheep and fish, and to send imports via rail across the Southland. A settlement that sprang up there thrived despite losing out at its attempt to become the primary sea terminal for the area when San Pedro landed federal grants to dredge and improve its harbor.

That small village of Newport — and the rest of Orange County — would experience such explosive growth in the 1950s and 1960s that the family-owned ranch decided to capitalize on its extensive landholdings. It ditched sheepherding in favor of transforming the invaluable acreage into an ambitious experiment in master-planned communities that would stretch from the waters of Crystal Cove to the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains.

One of the most luxurious of those planned communities is Newport Coast, nearly 3,000 acres of connected villages that began construction in 1990 and which is now home to some of the priciest real estate — and most spectacular views — in Orange County. Although the neighborhood is certainly upscale, it features a wide variety of residences, from $600,000 condos to $35-million luxury mansions, all within relatively easy driving distance of Laguna Beach and Irvine.

Like other Irvine Co. developments, a cohesive architectural style unites the Newport Coast communities — in this case Mediterranean Revival. The community also boasts schools, parks and shopping centers, as well as world-class resorts and a golf course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

For outdoors enthusiasts, Crystal Cove State Beach is right across Pacific Coast Highway, and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is next door.

Neighborhood highlights

Nearby West Street Beach in Laguna Beach.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times )

I can see for miles and miles: The highest reaches of Newport Coast boasts jetliner views of the entirety of Orange County, and on clear days you can see all the way up the coast to Rancho Palos Verdes.

Shop and dine ’til you drop: With two shopping districts and plenty of upscale dining choices along Pacific Coast Highway — not to mention the restaurants at the Pelican Hill resort — there’s no need to drive up the coast to Newport Center to sate your appetite.

Recreation and relaxation: Whether you’re a golfer, a surfer or a hiker, there’s plenty to do in the great outdoors along one of the most beautiful stretches of Southern California coastline.

An easy commute: Pacific Coast Highway offers access to NewportCenter and Laguna Beach, and the 73 toll road makes the commute to Irvine and South Coast Metro relatively painless.

Neighborhood challenges

The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast.

(Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times )

You will drive: For all of its perks, Newport Coast suffers from an ailment common to Irvine Co. developments in that it’s definitely car-centric. In other words, Walk Score: 0.

Affordability: It takes a pretty penny to be able to live in this pricey neighborhood.

Expert insight

Real estate agent Michael Fawaz specializes in Newport Coast, his home for the last 15 years.

“It’s the lifestyle, the location, the exclusivity,� he said. “The value’s always going to rise. It’s one of the best investments. There’s no more land, basically, which is making it more and more expensive. Good properties with good views — they sell within days.�

Market snapshot

The start of this year’s Newport to Ensenada race off Newport Beach, which took place in April.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times )

In the 92657 ZIP Code, among the wealthiest in the Southland, 14 single-family homes sold in May at a median price of $2.375 million, according to CoreLogic. The median price for condominiums was $1.115 million, based on eight sales.

Report card

Within the boundaries of the 92657 ZIP Code is Newport Coast Elementary School, which scored 943 out of 1,000 in the 2013 Academic Performance Index. Also in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District are Mariners Elementary and Newport Elementary, which scored 933 and 861, respectively. Horace Ensign Intermediate scored 850, and Newport Harbor High had a score of 827.