From the hills of Los Angeles to prestigious beach towns, Southern California is home to some of the most affluent areas in the country. This article reveals the ten richest and most exclusive neighborhoods in SoCal right now.
Southern California is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. Consequently, the area is home to some of the wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods in the country. These are the playgrounds of celebrities and CEOs, enclaves of the rich and famous, neighborhoods whose names are known the world over.
But in a land of affluence, which neighborhoods are the richest? Where do the elite live and the rest of us dream of moving? To answer these questions, this article considered not only household income, real estate values, and data from the American Community Survey, but also a perceived wealth in culture, exclusivity, and natural beauty. The result is a list of the richest neighborhoods in Southern California right now.
Forget San Jose and the San Francisco Bay area, read further to find out about the SoCal hoods that put the ‘gold’ in Golden State.
Wealtiest Neighborhoods, Southern California 2021
Corona del Mar, Newport Beach
Newport Beach is one of the most exclusive communities in all of the United States making it a top suburb to live in Orange County, and perhaps no neighborhood within the coastal enclave of just over 85,000 is more unique, or more sought after, than Corona del Mar – the “Crown of the Sea,” or, “CDM” as it is affectionately called by locals.
The neighborhoods of Corona del Mar as Cameo Shores and Cameo Highlands feature large luxury homes with panoramic views of the area’s white-sand beaches and dramatic cliffs, several of which have private beaches of their own. Combine this with luxury shopping and some of the best fine dining options in Southern California, and it is no surprise that real estate in Corona del Mar beach is more expensive than 99.7% of neighborhoods in the United States.
For those looking to retire at the pinnacle of Southern California luxury with views up and down Pacific Coast Highway, there is perhaps no better locale than Corona del Mar, which has been rated more retiree-friendly than 99.1% of neighborhoods in California.
Put the ‘gold’ in your golden years.
Pelican Hill, Newport Beach
Set further back from the shore than Corona del Mar, the Pelican Hill neighborhood sits high in the hills of Newport Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In one direction, Pelican Hill homes gaze out at the area’s stunning natural beauty, while in the other, at a world-class golf course and resort which certainly stands as one of the most spectacular places to tee it up in the country. Even more exclusive is the gated community of Pelican Crest within Pelican Hill.
In addition, Pelican Hill features large home lots with plenty of space for activities, and is renowned for its safety, meaning that while Corona del Mar may be the chicest neighborhood in Newport Beach, Pelican Hill is certainly it’s most family-friendly. For a more affordable but still luxurious OC experience, check out Laguna Niguel.
Malibu Colony, Malibu
Known as “the original Malibu,” Malibu Colony is a hidden enclave of luxury beachfront homes dating back to the 1920s. For a century, the neighborhood has been a beach retreat for the rich and famous.
In fact, this history is a large part of the neighborhood’s appeal. Not only are those who live in Malibu Colony neighbors with celebrities and CEOs, but they are neighbors with the history of Southern California, existing in a sort of time capsule to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Of course, a private stretch of pristine Malibu coastline within walking distance of world-class shopping and dining doesn’t hurt either.
Fun fact: In 2018, Malibu was named as one of the world’s 17 “ultra-prime” real estate markets, alongside luminaries like New York, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Monaco.
Coto de Caza, Orange County
When considering the richest neighborhoods in Southern California, it doesn’t always have to be about beach towns. Just look to Coto de Caza, the most affluent and exclusive neighborhood in the inland part of Orange County.
You may have heard of Coto de Caza thanks to The Real Housewives of Orange County, since it is where the majority of the cast members on that hit TV show lived. But more importantly, you should have heard of it if you are a lover of outdoor activities. The Coto de Caza community sits within a striking landscape of rolling hills and wildflowers, next to the Riley Wilderness Park, where residents are apt to explore on foot or on horseback, and friendly wildlife wanders unperturbed.
It has been described as “an atmosphere of magic,” idyllic rural privacy less than ten miles from access to I-5.
Ready to find your own magic atmosphere?
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills is an exclusive gated community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County. Despite consistently ranking among the richest places in California, Rolling Hills feels more like a picturesque ranch town than an enclave of opulence. It has no stoplights, and extensive open space exists between homes. Residents are known for their love of horses, while the community has nearly 50 miles of equestrian and walking trails that meander along streams through hills and canyons.
As the LA Times so eloquently put it, Rolling Hills is a neighborhood where “luxury overflows onto the outdoors.”
Did you know: Business Insider named Rolling Hills among the top 10 zip codes where America’s wealthiest millennials live.
La Jolla Farms, San Diego
Our list wouldn’t be complete without traveling down to San Diego County. Yes, there are the spectacular ocean views, the crashing waves amidst rocky bluffs. But what really makes La Jolla Farms stand out is its homes and residential area. These are palatial estates on large lots overlooking the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by tall walls and iron gates, and featuring some of the most impressive architecture anywhere. It is a neighborhood home to millionaires and billionaires.
Or perhaps what really makes La Jolla farms stand out is its amenities. The neighborhood is filled with high-end fashion boutiques and celebrity chef restaurants; it is within walking distance of world-famous Black’s Beach, across the street from the University of California San Diego campus, and down the road from Torrey Pines golf course, where multiple US Open Championships have been held.
From famous athletes to recording artists, this coveted community has tons of high-profile homeowners. It may not be hyperbole to say that San Diego’s La Jolla Farms neighborhood has it all.
The Hill Section, Manhattan Beach
In 2020, 24/7 Wall St named Manhattan Beach the best place to live in the entire United States. And within Manhattan Beach, there is no neighborhood more prestigious or desirable than the Hill Section.
Sitting, as the name suggests, high on a hill, the neighborhood is known for its large homes, wide streets, and spacious lots, quite a difference from other parts of the prestigious town which are often smaller and more crowded.
The Hill Section is also known for its spectacular natural views which encompass all that Southern California living has to offer. On the west side of the neighborhood, homes have panoramic ocean views all the way from Palos Verdes to Malibu, while on the east side, homes look out over the twinkling lights of Los Angeles and a sharp mountain backdrop.
If living in Manhattan Beach is prestigious, then the Hill Section is a luxury only an exclusive few can claim.
Ready to claim yours?
The “Platinum Triangle”
The “Platinum Triangle” is the unofficial name for the three uber-exclusive LA-area neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Bel Air Estates, and Holmby Hills. Together, they make up the pinnacle of Hollywood glamour and luxury, home to the biggest celebrities and stars of every generation, from Walt Disney to Jay-Z and Beyonce, Elizabeth Taylor to Elon Musk.
Aside from housing some of the most incredible estates and stunning architecture in the entire country, the ‘Platinum Triangle’ is home to top talent agencies, law firms, and boutique entertainment companies located just 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. People from all over Los Angeles and Southern California come to the Platinum Triangle to work where the stars live.
You know a place is famous when its streets and zip codes are recognized worldwide – Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, 90210; these are the markers of the ‘Platinum Triangle,’ without a doubt one of the richest and most exclusive areas of Southern California and in fact the world. Closer to Sunset Boulevard, the “Platinum Triangle” is right in at the center of LA action whereas homes in the Hollywood Hills are a bit more removed from the hustle and bustle.
Beverly Park
Interestingly, none of the three members of the Platinum Triangle claim the title of richest neighborhood in Los Angeles. That honor would go to the adjacent community of Beverly Park. With homes that average 20,000 square feet, and vacant lots selling for $30 million, Beverly Park is the most expensive place in a land of expensive places.
But what really sets the neighborhood apart is its legendary privacy. The community itself is gated, with security guards on duty 24 hours a day, while most individual properties also employ private security. Even photography is not allowed in the neighborhood. It is no wonder that Beverly Park is home to A-list celebrities like Justin Bieber, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Denzel Washington.
We could have easily listed every neighborhood in LA with celebrity homes including Calabasas and Brentwood Park, but the list is simply too long!
Fun fact: Sylvester Stallone recently listed his lavish Beverly Park estate for $110 million.
Hidden Hills
“Dom Rose toast. Hidden Hills is where I post,” says Drake in the song ‘Free Smoke.’
He’s not alone. Hidden Hills, a private community some 25 miles west of Los Angeles, has become the home of a new generation of celebrity elite; from Drake, to Miley Cyrus, to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. In fact, you can thank Hidden Hills for giving us the Kardashian empire, since it was there that the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians began.
But for all the wealth and fame of Hidden Hills, it is a neighborhood marked by a desire for more traditional tranquility – think children with lemonade stands, neighbors stopping in the street to chat, cars stopped so those on horseback or walking their dogs can cross the street.
Celebrities: they’re just like us.
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