By Connie K. Ho
From beaches and parks to spas and shopping, Newport Beach offers an assortment of activities from casual to upscale. That same diversity extends to the residences in the area, with properties that run the gamut from quaint beach cottages on Balboa Island to extravagant mega-mansions in Newport Coast.
Each of the neighborhoods that make up the city offer distinct features and unique personalities. On any given day, Balboa Island residents can soak up the charming atmosphere in their idyllic village community, while those living near the Back Bay can explore the coastal wetlands.
On the following pages, we invite you to step inside a few properties from around town that highlight Newport Beach living for varying personalities, styles and budgets.
More Than $10 Million: For the Yachtsman
13 Harbor Island, Newport Harbor
$10,500,000
With a slip that can accommodate a boat up to 70 feet and a second up to 30 feet, this house in Newport Harbor is perfect for those who love to sail or commune with the water. Visitors can get a glimpse of the harbor’s main channel as well as the mountains in the distance. The residence has a private pier and dock with a lush garden and tree-lined yard. The outdoor terrace and dining area is paved with beautiful Pennsylvania bluestone, a rare and expensive stone, and features a spa for relaxing while you soak in the views.
Eric Mossman, a well-known Orange County architect, designed the two-story custom-built home in 1994. Mossman’s work has also been found in Balboa Island and Lido Isle, among other areas in Newport Beach. Located in a gated community on a private island, this French-style home features five bedrooms with five and a half baths. Other design features include Belgian stone floors and handcrafted millwork.
Enjoy myriad activities from the private pier, including stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Those who enjoy swimming can take a dip near the dock. Many residents in the area enjoy using their electric boats to frequent restaurants like those at the Balboa Bay Resort. Local community members who are active in the boating community can join the nearby Newport Harbor Yacht Club, with the added benefit of easily cruising out to Catalina Island, only 26 miles away
“Harbor Island is one of the most exclusive addresses on the bay front,” says Steve High of Villa Real Estate. “Lots of people on the waterfront have boats, and a big part of that lifestyle is being able to go over to the island in the summer.”
$5 Million to $10 Million: For the Social Butterfly
206 Morning Canyon Rd., Shore Cliffs
$6,100,000
A beach home in the exclusive neighborhood of Shore Cliffs, this chic house is a master combination of craftsman and New England seaboard. The custom-built home was featured in the 2012 Corona del Mar Home Tour and was designed by architect Bill Guidero of William Guidero planning and design firm, who is known for his work on indoor-outdoor living spaces.
The property includes a number of French doors that open to an interior courtyard allowing a flow of social activities. White curtains hang near the courtyard, which can be closed for privacy or opened for a view of the outdoor pool. Green vines adorn the outside space, providing a rustic look. At night, rectangular lamps around the saltwater pool light up the deck. The home can host 100 guests, and outdoor spaces showcase a mix of materials, fabrics, stones and bricks.
Inside the home, guests can take advantage of the indoor movie theater and wine tasting room. There’s also a loggia with a fireplace and barbecue, creating a perfect space for entertainment
or relaxation. Built in 2007, the home spans 5,800 square feet and includes five bedrooms and six baths.
“It’s in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Newport Beach and has its own private entrances to lovely beaches,” says Coleen Brennan of Engel & Völkers. “You can enjoy time by yourself or time with guests. The finishes are wonderful, and thoughtfulness went into the planning of the home and the layout.”
$1 Million to $5 Million: For the Resident Foodie
436 Snug Harbor Rd., Newport Heights
$4,195,000
Located in the coveted Cliffhaven neighborhood, this custom-built house’s main draw is the expansive gourmet kitchen, perfect for the home cook. Amenities include a 48-inch Viking cooktop, a walk-in pantry, two ovens, two microwaves, two dishwashers, two warming drawers and custom-made cabinets. The space also boasts an enormous center island, granite countertops and a brick-lined, refrigerated wine cellar.
The kitchen leads to an oversized family room, which can accommodate around 40 people and is made cozy with a fireplace. LaCantina bifold doors connect the space to an outdoor patio and grassy area.
“The detail on [this home] is exquisite,” says Alison McCormick of Teles Properties. “It’s a one-of-a-kind property.”
Apart from the kitchen, visitors will be struck by intricate design details like the winding staircase at the entry of the two-story home. Built about three years ago by Rutter Development, a three-generation construction company based in Irvine, the property includes six bedrooms and eight baths; all the bedrooms include private baths. The master suite, in particular, features a private balcony with French doors and a master bath complete with a Jacuzzi tub and deluxe walk-in shower with five showerheads. The space also includes custom crown molding, cathedral-vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan. Rutter Development has worked on homes in Newport Beach in the past, including the Newport Ridge Vistas gated community that boasts high-end condos.
This traditional home spans 5,800 square feet and is located in one of Cliffhaven’s larger corner lots (approximately 13,500 square feet). There’s also a roomy garage that can fit four cars.
Editor’s note: Some of the homes featured here may no longer be on the market and prices may have changed as of press time.
