Laguna Hills

Jasmine's take on Laguna Hills

"Clients ask me three things about Laguna Hills: the schools, what's happening with the old mall, and how it compares with Mission Viejo and Lake Forest. Most of the city is in Saddleback Valley Unified, but confirm the schools for the exact address. The old Laguna Hills Mall site is being redeveloped as The Village at Laguna Hills, so if you're buying nearby, find out what stage it's in. What listings don't show: many homes sit on hillside lots, with sloped driveways and terraced yards to maintain. It's a quiet, early-to-bed suburb; for evening dining, most people drive to Irvine or Laguna Beach. Freeway access is a plus, but rush hour on the I-5 spills onto Alicia Parkway. Homes facing south or west can get hot in summer and early fall, so ask about AC and utility bills. And read the HOA rules, even in neighborhoods that feel independent."

— Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder, Melati Real Estate Group

Four Laguna Hills neighborhoods

Laguna Hills has dozens of named neighborhoods. These four show the range, from horse property to condos.

HOA dues vary by neighborhood and change over time, so check the current amount for the specific home.

What you'll find for housing

Laguna Hills is mostly single-family homes built in the 1970s and 1980s. About 57% of its roughly 11,300 homes are detached houses, another 17% are townhomes, and about 76% were built between 1970 and 1989.

About 72% of occupied homes are owned by the people who live in them. With most homes built in the 1970s and '80s, ask about the age of the roof, plumbing, windows and HVAC.

Source: SCAG local housing data for Laguna Hills, April 2021, using California Department of Finance and American Community Survey estimates.

The old mall site: The Village at Laguna Hills

The City of Laguna Hills approved the revised Village at Laguna Hills plan on July 14, 2026. It replaces the Laguna Hills Mall, which opened in 1973, closed at the end of 2018 and was demolished in 2023.

The developer expects 6 to 12 months of site work and permits after approval before the first phases of construction can begin. If you're buying near the site, ask about construction timing and traffic on the surrounding streets.

Sources: CEQAnet notice of determination, posted July 21, 2026; Village at Laguna Hills FAQ.

Schools

Laguna Hills is served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which also serves Lake Forest and parts of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Laguna Hills High School is one of the district's high schools.

School assignments follow attendance boundaries, so confirm the schools for the exact address with Saddleback Valley Unified before you buy.

Getting around

Interstate 5 runs along the city's eastern edge, with five interchanges in Laguna Hills. The main local roads are El Toro Road, Alicia Parkway, Oso Parkway and Moulton Parkway.

When the I-5 backs up at rush hour, traffic spills onto those parkways. Test your commute at the hours you would actually drive it.

Parks and open space

• Nellie Gail Ranch: a 1,350-acre equestrian community in Laguna Hills. Its association maintains about 25 miles of riding trails, five parks and four arenas.
• Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex: at 25555 Alicia Parkway, with baseball and softball diamonds, a soccer field, a gymnasium, a basketball court, a playground and trails.
• Cabot Park: a city park at Cabot Road and Rapid Falls Road, inside Nellie Gail Ranch, with a ball field and a tot lot.
• Sheep Hills Park: added to the city in the 2000 westside annexation.

The market right now

The median Laguna Hills home sold for $1,449,041 over the three months ending August 2026, up 32.3% from a year earlier. Price per square foot moved the other way, down 8.2%, so the median alone does not tell the whole story. Homes sold in a median of 31 days, down from 55 a year ago.

Source: Redfin, Laguna Hills housing market, read October 4, 2026.

Laguna Hills questions, answered

What do homes cost in Laguna Hills?

The median home in Laguna Hills sold for $1,449,041 over the three months ending August 2026, up 32.3% from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Median price per square foot fell 8.2% over the same period.

What is being built at the old Laguna Hills Mall?

The Village at Laguna Hills, approved by the city on July 14, 2026, plans up to 1,500 homes, about 140,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and two hotels on the former mall site.

What school district serves Laguna Hills?

Laguna Hills is served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which includes Laguna Hills High School.

How long do homes take to sell in Laguna Hills?

The median home sold in 31 days over the three months ending August 2026, down from 55 days a year earlier, according to Redfin.

What kinds of homes are in Laguna Hills?

About 57% of Laguna Hills' roughly 11,300 homes are detached houses and 17% are townhomes. About 76% were built between 1970 and 1989.

Is Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills?

Yes. Nellie Gail Ranch is a 1,350-acre equestrian community in Laguna Hills with about 25 miles of riding trails.

Which real estate agent serves Laguna Hills?

Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder of Melati Real Estate Group (DRE 02051340), works with buyers and sellers in Laguna Hills and across Orange County. Book a call.

Sources: Laguna Hills, California · City of Laguna Hills facilities · Saddleback Valley Unified · Nellie Gail Ranch · Homes.com · Neighborhoods.com · OC Real Estate Inc · Your Orange County · Laguna Hills Mall