Laguna Niguel, CA Real Estate

Laguna Niguel, an upscale community in southern Orange County, started as one of the nation’s first master planned communities in the 1960’s. Located in the San Joaquin Hills, it borders Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Aliso Viejo.

The first communities developed in Laguna Niguel were right along the coast, bordering Laguna Beach. These communities were called Monarch Bay and the Monarch Bay Terrace built between 1960 and 1962.

Laguna Niguel’s most notable building, known by the locals as “The Ziggurat” was built in 1971 as the headquarters of Rockwell International. By the time the million-square-foot building was finished, a recession had hit and Rockwell never moved in; the building was sold to the federal government and is now the Chet Holifield Federal Building. The building still retains its futuristic look and is often used as a movie location.

Over one-third of Laguna Niguel is designated as open space. Major parks in Laguna Niguel include: Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park, Badlands Park and Laguna Niguel Regional Park. The private Rancho Niguel Country Club is also in the city.
Laguna Niguel is home to many upscale neighborhoods including Bear Brand Ridge, Ocean Ranch, South Peak, Crest de Ville, Palmilla, and Monarch Point, which offer city, canyon, and ocean views. Other major neighborhoods include Rancho Niguel, Marina Hills, Niguel West, Beacon Hill, El Niguel Heights, Kite Hill, and San Joaquin Hills. Kite Hill is typical of Laguna Niguel developments with many amenities.

The development consists of detached family housing of single and double story plans, all in the million dollar-plus range. The development includes a private park containing six tennis courts, two volleyball courts, basketball court, soccer field, Olympic size swimming pool, cabanas, children's park, paved and lighted walking paths through about a quarter-mile of the recreational facilities, and a gated recreation center. Kite Hill homes are mainly owned by professional caliber people such as: doctors, lawyers, small business owners, retired professional athletics and others among that level. Phase one was built in 1978 and the community was finally built-out in 1998.

San Joaquin Hills is a guard gated master planned community set in the northernmost foothills of Laguna Niguel. Each neighborhood within San Joaquin Hills has about 250 homes within its limits, and parks, as well as a community recreation and pool. There are a total of 910 homes in the development, and an estimated population of around 2,750 residents. Communities within San Joaquin Hills include Crestview, Glen Cove, Knolls, and Somerset, and The Summit.

Laguna Niguel is accessible from Interstate 5 and the 72 toll road, with limited offramps runs through the city; there is a Metrolink train station providing service to Los Angeles and Oceanside.