Beach Haven: Cliff Haven

By: Jill Fales

Introduction to the Enclave: Cliff Haven is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Newport Beach and is comprised of large-parcel custom family estates. Set on a bluff above Mariners Mile and the Harbor, many of the homes have views of the bay and ocean. Award-winning schools, shopping, and churches of every denomination and within walking distance.

Bordered By: Cliff Haven is bordered by Kings Road, Dover Drive, Irvine Avenue and 15th Street.

History of the Area: Parts of Cliff Haven were annexed soon after the turn of the century. Between 1934 and 1936, the federal government and the county undertook work around the harbor. They dredged the Lower Bay, extended jetties and created the present contour of Newport Harbor.

How the community evolved: Cliff Haven has been a seaside enclave of custom homes since the early ’20s. Family beach estates were replaced during various phases with quaint cottages, large gardens, and magnificent trees. Over time, the quaint homes have been replaced with large ocean-view estates and private homes. Residents take advantage of the walking atmosphere of the neighborhood with its tree lined streets and parks and the nearby Environmental Nature Center.

Views: The views of Catalina, the sparkling Pacific Ocean, sunlit cresting surf and picturesque Newport Harbor are the finest along the California Coast. Panoramic views from most of the properties on the Pacific Coast Highway side of Kings Road, where you can see the ocean, Catalina Island, Newport Harbor, the Peninsula, including the Pavilion, and down the coast to Crystal Cove, the hills of Newport Coast and beyond.

Community features/amenities/special events: Newport Harbor High School and Ensign Middle School border the neighborhood and have been named National Blue Ribbon Honor Schools. The neighborhood is within walking distance of some of the area’s best shops, restaurants, walking trails and parks. The residents of Cliff Haven are the annual hosts of the Newport Harbor High School Heritage 10K Run every Octobe – this year it will be Oct. 29.

Current Market activity in this area:   There are currently 16 homes that are actively on the market, starting with a bank-owned, priced from $895.000, to a five-bedroom, seven-bath home with direct ocean/harbor views at $4,295,000.  There are four homes that are in escrow and there have been 12 homes sold this year in the Cliff Haven/Kings Road area. The average price per square foot for homes sold is running about $575, and amenities can include everything from custom homes with pools, spas, views, large lots and all the finest upgrades to the quintessential single-level cottages that once were the norm on every street.

Additional notes for the area:  Most streets in the area do not have sidewalks, nor do they have many street lights.

About the Realtor: Denine Kerns has been selling real estate since 1997. She is a Luxury Real Estate agent with Prudential and has been ranked the No. 1 Prudential agent in the Corona del Mar office for the first quarter of this year, and No. 14 in all of Orange County.

A native of Orange County, Denine comes from a family of real estate agents; both of her parents, one brother, and sister-in-law have all sold real estate.  She is a Certified Relocation Specialist and, having grown up in Orange County, has lived in the coastal communities from Huntington Beach to Laguna Niguel and east to Tustin and Irvine. She has sold property from Long Beach down to San Diego.

“I don’t look at my career as a ‘job,’ I look at it as a quest and truly love helping my clients achieve their dreams, whether they are buying, selling or investing,” she says.

Prudential California Realty

3301 E. Coast Highway

Corona del Mar 92625

(949)689-7078

www.deninekerns.com

Denine@prucdm.com