Corona del Mar
A walkable seaside village of bluff-top estates, hidden gardens, and Big Corona.
Living in Corona del Mar
Known to locals simply as “CdM,” Corona del Mar is a five-square-mile pocket of Newport Beach that combines walkable village life with some of California’s most spectacular oceanfront real estate. The PCH corridor — known as East Coast Highway through town — is lined with one-off boutiques, family-run restaurants, and the Sherman Library & Gardens, a hidden 2.2-acre botanical refuge tucked between the bluffs and the highway.
The community is anchored by Big Corona State Beach and the Inspiration Point bluffs, which look directly down on the Newport Harbor jetty and Catalina on a clear day. Bluff-top streets like Ocean Boulevard command some of the highest per-square-foot values in the country.
Neighborhoods
- Shore Cliffs — Bluff-top homes overlooking Pacific Ocean and Crystal Cove
- Cameo Shores — Guard-gated oceanfront with private beach access
- Cameo Highlands — Hillside ocean-view homes adjacent to Cameo Shores
- Irvine Terrace — Mid-century classic just east of Newport Harbor
- Harbor View Hills — Family-friendly, panoramic views, top schools
- The Village (CdM) — Walkable to East Coast Highway shops and beach
- Spyglass Hill — Custom estates on the highest point in CdM
What buyers should know
CdM real estate is defined by the lot. Inland village homes sit on classic 30×118 lots — perfect for the modern beach cottage tear-down-and-rebuild trend that’s reshaped the neighborhood over the past decade. Bluff-front and oceanfront properties along Ocean Boulevard, Bayside Drive, and Way Lane regularly trade in the $15M–$60M range. Median sale price across all CdM sits around $4.2M, with strong appreciation history relative to greater OC.
Schools
Newport-Mesa Unified serves Corona del Mar, with Corona del Mar Middle/High School consistently ranking among California’s top public schools (the campus serves grades 7-12). Harbor View Elementary and Lincoln Elementary are the primary feeder schools, both rated 9-10 on GreatSchools.
Lifestyle
CdM lives at the intersection of beach town and refined village. Mornings start at the Bungalow or Bandera. Afternoons unfold at Big Corona or down the cliff at Pirate’s Cove. Friday nights mean dinner at Five Crowns, the half-century-old English-pub-style institution on PCH. The Christmas Walk every December turns East Coast Highway into a six-block holiday market — it’s one of the best small-town traditions in Orange County.
Life in Corona del Mar
Buying or selling in Corona del Mar?
I’ve spent more than two decades helping clients find homes along this stretch of the coast. Whether you’re touring your first Corona del Mar listing or quietly considering selling a long-held home, I’d be glad to be your guide.
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Quick answers to the questions buyers, sellers, and prospective Corona del Mar residents ask most.
What is the median home price in Corona del Mar?
As of 2026, the median home price in Corona del Mar is approximately $4.2M, making 92625 one of the most expensive zip codes in Orange County. Cottages on the numbered streets near the village start around $2.5M, while bluff-top oceanfront homes on Ocean Boulevard regularly close above $20M.
Is Corona del Mar a good place to live?
Corona del Mar is widely considered one of California’s most desirable coastal villages. It offers a walkable village center on East Coast Highway, top-rated schools (Corona del Mar Middle/High), Big Corona State Beach, Inspiration Point bluffs, and the iconic CdM lifestyle. The 1.5-square-mile community has about 14,000 residents and a small-town, refined feel.
What is Corona del Mar known for?
Corona del Mar is known for its walkable village atmosphere, bluff-top oceanfront estates, the Sherman Library & Gardens, Inspiration Point, Big Corona State Beach, the Corona del Mar Pier, the annual 5K Run and Christmas Walk, and the highly-rated CdM Middle/High School. It is often called “Newport’s most refined oceanfront enclave.”
What are the best streets to live on in Corona del Mar?
The most coveted streets in Corona del Mar include Ocean Boulevard (bluff-top oceanfront — the most expensive street in CdM), Bayside Drive (waterfront on the harbor), Carnation Avenue, Goldenrod Avenue (named for the signature pedestrian bridge with ocean views), Marguerite Avenue (in the heart of the village), and the numbered streets (3rd through 6th) for charming walkable cottages.
How are the schools in Corona del Mar?
Schools in Corona del Mar are exceptional. The community is served by Newport-Mesa Unified School District, with Harbor View Elementary, Lincoln Elementary (CdM), and Corona del Mar Middle/High School all top-rated. CdM High has been named a California Distinguished School multiple times and a National Blue Ribbon School. A+ ratings on Niche are typical across the district.
Is Corona del Mar part of Newport Beach?
Yes — Corona del Mar is a neighborhood within the City of Newport Beach. It has its own distinct identity, zip code (92625), village character, and even its own high school, but it falls under Newport Beach city government and shares the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Many locals refer to it simply as “CdM.”
What is the Corona del Mar real estate market like in 2026?
The 2026 Corona del Mar market is severely inventory-constrained, with typically fewer than 50 active listings citywide. Median sale prices are roughly $4.2M, and days-on-market for well-priced homes is typically under 30 days. Oceanfront homes on Ocean Boulevard and bayfront homes on Bayside Drive command the highest premiums and often trade off-market.