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Buying & Selling in Orange County

Buy or sell in Newport Beach and coastal Orange County.

From the harbor in Newport Beach to the bluffs of Dana Point, these are the communities we know, love, and call home. Whether you’re searching for your next home or getting ready to sell, Sandra and the TLL Living Team bring local insight, design expertise, and The Agency’s global reach, all from our Corona del Mar office.

Oceanfront homes on the bluffs above the beach in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar

Our Favorite Neighborhoods

Our favorite neighborhoods, and why we love them.

Each community has its own personality. Here’s what makes each one special, plus the locally owned restaurants and shops we love to support.

Colorful waterfront homes and boats along the harbor in Newport Beach 01

Newport Beach

Harbor living at its finest.

From Balboa Island and Lido Isle to the gated communities of Newport Coast, Newport Beach blends waterfront living, world-class dining, and a true boating lifestyle.

Why We Love It
The boating lifestyle. Waking up to the harbor, dinner by boat, and sunsets on Balboa Island make every day feel like vacation.
Schools
Newport-Mesa Unified, including Newport Harbor High and Corona del Mar High, plus the private Sage Hill School.
Clubs & Recreation
Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach Country Club, Balboa Bay Club, and Pelican Hill Golf Club.
Yearly Events
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Local Favorites
Sweets: an original frozen banana or Balboa Bar at Sugar ’n Spice on Balboa Island, a local tradition since 1945. Upscale: French brasserie dining at Marché Moderne at Crystal Cove.
Shopping
The shops along Marine Avenue on Balboa Island and Crystal Cove Shopping Center.
Charming white cottage with blue shutters and brick patio in Corona del Mar 02

Corona del Mar

A seaside village with a hometown feel.

Charming cottages, ocean-view estates, and beloved beaches like Big Corona and Little Corona, all a short stroll from Coast Highway shops and cafes.

Why We Love It
It feels like a small village, but you’re minutes from everything. Strolling to coffee, then down to Little Corona’s tide pools, never gets old.
Schools
Newport-Mesa Unified, including Harbor View Elementary and Corona del Mar Middle & High School.
Clubs & Recreation
Close to Big Canyon Country Club, Sherman Library & Gardens, and Crystal Cove State Park.
Yearly Events
The Corona del Mar Christmas Walk and the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K.
Local Favorites
Coffee & casual: Zinc Café for breakfast and coffee. Fun: Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens for lunch among the plants. Upscale: The Quiet Woman and the classic Five Crowns.
Shopping
Rogers Gardens for home, garden, and gifts.
Mediterranean-style two-story home with tile roof in Costa Mesa 03

Costa Mesa

The City of the Arts.

Home to South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, with sought-after neighborhoods like the Eastside and Mesa Verde close to the beach.

Why We Love It
Culture and convenience. World-class shopping, the arts, and great restaurants, with the beach just a few minutes away.
Schools
Newport-Mesa Unified, including Costa Mesa High and Estancia High, plus Orange Coast College.
Clubs & Recreation
Mesa Verde Country Club and Costa Mesa Country Club.
Yearly Events
The OC Fair each summer at the OC Fair & Event Center.
Local Favorites
Coffee & matcha: Daydrift and Chafinity Matcha at The CAMP. Casual & fun: Slurpin’ Ramen and Wine Lab. Night out: small plates and cocktails at Mesa Lounge.
Shopping
Independent shops at The LAB Anti-Mall and The CAMP, plus some of the best higher-end resale in Orange County, including The Legacy Center for designer consignment furniture.
Newer craftsman-style homes with landscaped yards in Irvine 04

Irvine

Master-planned and family-friendly.

Thoughtfully planned villages like Turtle Rock, Shady Canyon, Quail Hill, and Woodbridge, with parks, trails, and convenience at every turn.

Why We Love It
Thoughtful planning and peace of mind. Top schools, beautiful parks and trails, and safe, welcoming villages for every stage of life.
Schools
Irvine Unified School District, including University, Northwood, and Portola High Schools, plus UC Irvine.
Clubs & Recreation
Shady Canyon Golf Club, Strawberry Farms Golf Club, and Oak Creek Golf Club.
Yearly Events
The Irvine Global Village Festival and year-round events at the Orange County Great Park.
Hillside neighborhood of tile-roof homes in Dana Point 05

Dana Point

The Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital.

A harbor town with ocean bluffs, resort living at Monarch Beach, and easy access to Doheny State Beach.

Why We Love It
Laid-back harbor charm. Whale watching, ocean-view hikes, and resort-style living at Monarch Beach feel like a permanent getaway.
Schools
Capistrano Unified School District, including Dana Hills High School.
Clubs & Recreation
Monarch Beach Golf Links and the Dana Point Yacht Club.
Yearly Events
The Festival of Whales, Ohana Fest at Doheny State Beach, and the Dana Point Turkey Trot.
Local Favorites
Coffee: Bear Coast Coffee and The Coffee Importers at the harbor. Casual & fun: Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern. Upscale: waterfront dining at Wind & Sea and family-owned Luciana’s Ristorante.
Shopping
Art Sea, Gift Chateau, and Vintage Yacht Club at Dana Point Harbor, plus the locally owned shops of the Lantern District.

Design Finds

Furnish your home, from resale to new.

Whether you’re moving in or staging to sell, these are the local showrooms and consignment shops we love for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Resale, Consignment & Vintage

  • Lido Consignment Gallery — Costa Mesa. More than 20,000 square feet of designer furniture, antiques, art, and rugs, with names like Baker, Henredon, and Marge Carson.
  • The Legacy Center — Costa Mesa. Consignment furniture and home pieces on Harbor Boulevard.
  • Magnolia Mews — Newport Beach. A curated consignment shop on Old Newport Boulevard.
  • The Find — Costa Mesa. Vintage and secondhand treasures on Newport Boulevard.

New Furniture & Decor

  • Heirloom — Newport Beach. A showroom and design studio on Westcliff Drive.
  • HTGT Furniture — Costa Mesa. A small, family-run furniture shop on Superior Avenue.
  • Rococo Home — Costa Mesa. The home side of a longtime local boutique on East 17th Street.
  • Sparrow and Sage — Newport Beach. Decor and finishing touches on Avocado Avenue.
  • SOCO & The OC Mix — Costa Mesa. A design destination with more than 20 showrooms open to the public.

Want help pulling it all together? The TLL Living Design Team can help you plan, source, and style every room.

Search Homes

Homes for sale in coastal Orange County.

Browse current listings in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Dana Point.

For Buyers

Find the right neighborhood, not just the right house.

The right community shapes your everyday life. We help you find the one that fits how you want to live.

Local insight

We know the streets, the schools, the commute, and the hidden gems, so you can compare neighborhoods with confidence before you ever write an offer.

Early access

Through The Agency’s network, our buyers often hear about new and off-market homes before they hit the major search sites.

A designer’s eye

Sandra helps you see a home’s potential, from simple updates to a full remodel, and what those changes could mean for its value.

For Sellers

Your home isn’t an average. Don’t price it like one.

In Orange County, home values can change from one community to the next, and even from one street to the next. Views, lot size, location, and upgrades all make a real difference in what your home is worth.

Online estimates miss the details

Zillow and other sites give you a lot of statistics, but their pricing is rarely accurate. They don’t walk through your home, see your upgrades, or understand what makes your property special.

We walk your home

Nothing helps you make the right decision like an experienced agent walking your home in person and giving real value to your remodels, finishes, views, and the details buyers pay for.

We research what really sold

We study recent sales nearby, comparing upgrades, lot size, square footage, and condition, then build a price designed to attract serious buyers and sell your home for the right price.

Why Work With Sandra

Local knowledge. Global reach.

The Agency Marketing System

A proven process built to sell homes for more money in less time, with strategic pricing, professional photography and video, and worldwide exposure through The Agency.

A Designer’s Eye

Through Styled & Sold by Sandra, we recommend only the updates and staging that pay you back, so your home makes a strong first impression.

Close to Home

Our Corona del Mar office keeps us close to the communities we serve, from Newport Beach to Dana Point.

Buying or Selling?

Let’s find your place in Orange County.

Whether you’re buying your next home or selling one you love, tell us about your goals and your timeline. We’ll show you what’s possible.

Book a Discovery Call

Sandra McCullough, Associate Broker
Sandra McCullough PLLC
(949) 432-9190 · sandra.m@theagencyre.com