Newport Beach Homes for Sale

Named one of the Top 10 Resort Towns in the US by AOL Travel in 2008, Newport Beach is a chic, affluent oceanfront community in Orange County, California, between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Known for its boating and yachting, high-end shopping and dining, and food and international film festivals, Newport Beach draws visitors year-round. The city’s population is about 85,000. More than one-fourth of the population earns more than $200,000 per year.

Newport Beach Homes for Sale

History

American settlers began arriving in Newport Beach, where the federal government was selling one-acre parcels for $1 each, in the 1800s. The city earned its name with a steamer arrived there in 1870 and several settlers agreed on the moniker ¨Newport.¨

The city grew substantially in 1905 when Pacific Electric Railway established a southern terminus there, connecting the town with downtown Los Angeles. The following year, the city incorporated as Newport Beach. Over the years, the city continued to grow, most recently in 2002 when it annexed Corona del Mark, and in 2008 when it annexed East Santa Ana Heights and San Joaquin Hills.

Attractions

Newport Harbor was created when residents dredged the estuary in the early 1900s. Homes cover several small islands that were created in the harbor. While the harbor once supported maritime industries, including commercial fishing and boat-building, today is mainly used for recreation. With roughly 9,000 boats docked there, it is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the West Coast.

Even those who don´t own a boat can enjoy the maritime life by taking a ferry to Catalina Island, or chartering a boat for sports fishing or whale watching. Each year, the Christmas Boat Parade, which dates back to 1908, delights spectators. The New York Times has called it one of the Top 10 holiday events in the nation. The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race is the largest sailboat race in the world.

As its name implies, Newport Beach is also known for its beaches. Surfers flock to local hotspots such as the beach between Newport Pier and the Santa Ana River, and The Wedge, which is located at the tip of Balboa Peninsula. The Peninsula features the cityś most famous landmarks, the historic Balboa Pavilion and Balboa Island Ferry. The Balboa Fun Zone offers a merry-go-round, and other amusement park rides.

Nature lovers frequent Newport Beach for its tide pools at Crystal Cove State Park, and bird-watching opportunities at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Golfers can choose between two courses in the Pelican Hill area. Both rank among Americaś best public golf courses in Golf Digest. The city also offers a wide variety of restaurants and nightclubs, shops, and farmers markets.

Real Estate

Sometimes called ¨the Beverly Hills of Orange County,” Newport Beach is filled with mansions and estates. The median sale price of homes in Newport Beach through most of 2012 was $1.14 million.

There are seven neighborhoods in Newport Beach – Corona del Mar/Spyglass Area, Newport Heights, West Bay/Santa Ana Heights, West Newport/Lido Isle, Lower Newport Bay/Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula, and East Bluff/Harbor View.

Latest Newport Beach Homes for Sale:

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