Based on the latest Zillow Home Value Index figures (November 30, 2024), California’s Pacific coastal real estate presents a diverse range of property values, with the most affordable neighborhoods clustered primarily in Southern California. The analysis reveals a concentrated distribution across six coastal cities, with San Diego leading with nine neighborhoods, followed closely by Long Beach with eight, and Oxnard contributing six. Single neighborhoods from Ventura, Oceanside, and Monterey round out the list, notably marking Monterey as the sole representative from Northern California.
The price spectrum among these coastal communities spans from $424,384 in Long Beach’s East Village to $633,975 in San Diego’s Fairmount Village, with appreciation rates varying dramatically. Colina del Sol in San Diego demonstrated the highest appreciation at 140.0%, while the Gaslamp Quarter, also in San Diego, showed the most modest growth at 14.6%. The overall average appreciation rate of 94.5% reflects the robust growth in coastal property values from 2015 to 2024. Property values cluster notably around the $550,000 to $625,000 range for the top tier, while the lower tier spans from $424,000 to $500,000, suggesting distinct market segments even within these more affordable coastal areas.
#24. East Village (Long Beach)
East Village, located in the heart of downtown Long Beach just 25 miles south of Los Angeles, represents the most affordable Pacific coastal neighborhood in California. Despite its prime location near the Queen Mary and the Port of Long Beach, property values remain relatively accessible, though they have risen from $202,292 in 2015 to $329,401 in 2020, before reaching $424,384 in 2024. Even with a substantial 109.8% increase over the nine-year period, this historic district still offers the most budget-friendly entry point to California coastal living.
#23. Colina del Sol (San Diego)
Colina del Sol, situated about 5 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and close to San Diego State University, offers one of the most affordable options for coastal living in Southern California’s second-largest city. While property values have shown remarkable growth, rising from $189,487 in 2015 to $315,040 in 2020, before reaching $454,856 in 2024, the neighborhood’s 140.0% appreciation still keeps it within reach for many homebuyers seeking proximity to San Diego’s attractions.
#22. Washington School (Long Beach)
Washington School neighborhood, positioned just 2 miles from downtown Long Beach and its famous waterfront attractions, provides an affordable entry point to coastal living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Despite its convenient location near the 710 freeway and the Port of Long Beach, home values remain relatively moderate, increasing from $232,567 in 2015 to $352,267 in 2020, before reaching $471,432 in 2024, showing a robust yet still accessible 102.7% appreciation.
#21. Oceana (Oceanside)
Oceana, nestled in the coastal city of Oceanside about 35 miles north of San Diego and 83 miles south of Los Angeles, offers an affordable coastal living option near the historic Oceanside Pier and Harbor. Though property values have appreciated significantly from $231,808 in 2015 to $339,543 in 2020, before reaching $484,564 in 2024, this 109.0% increase still positions it as one of the more attainable coastal communities in Southern California.
#20. Gaslamp Quarter (San Diego)
The Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s historic entertainment district located in the heart of downtown and just steps from San Diego Bay, offers a unique urban coastal living experience. Despite its prime location near the Convention Center and Petco Park, property values have shown modest growth, moving from $434,631 in 2015 to $456,221 in 2020, before reaching $498,156 in 2024, with a conservative 14.6% increase making it surprisingly attainable for a downtown location.
#19. Glenwood (Monterey)
Glenwood, situated in historic Monterey just 2 miles from Cannery Row and the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, represents one of the few affordable neighborhoods in Northern California’s coastal region. Located 115 miles south of San Francisco, this neighborhood has seen property values rise steadily from $262,975 in 2015 to $386,570 in 2020, before reaching $504,448 in 2024, with its 91.8% appreciation still keeping it relatively affordable for the Monterey Peninsula.
#18. Teralta East (San Diego)
Teralta East, located approximately 4 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and close to both the I-15 and I-805 freeways, offers an affordable alternative for those seeking proximity to San Diego’s coastal attractions. Despite significant appreciation from $229,919 in 2015 to $337,824 in 2020, before reaching $506,056 in 2024, its 120.1% increase still maintains relative affordability compared to surrounding coastal areas.
#17. Grantville (San Diego)
Grantville, located 7 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and adjacent to Mission Trails Regional Park, offers a balanced combination of coastal city access and natural surroundings. Though property values have increased substantially from $254,535 in 2015 to $353,020 in 2020, before reaching $524,879 in 2024, the 106.2% appreciation still makes it one of the more attainable neighborhoods in the San Diego coastal region.
#16. Alamitos Beach (Long Beach)
Alamitos Beach, located right on the coast and just steps from Long Beach’s popular shoreline, offers a rare opportunity for direct beach access at a relatively moderate price point. Despite its prime location near the Aquarium of the Pacific and the East Village Arts District, property values, while rising from $297,262 in 2015 to $418,305 in 2020, and reaching $538,210 in 2024, maintain relative affordability with an 81.1% appreciation rate.
#15. Zaferia (Long Beach)
Zaferia, positioned just 1.5 miles from the beach and adjacent to the vibrant 4th Street Retro Row, provides an affordable entry point to Long Beach coastal living. Located in the heart of Long Beach, about 25 miles south of Los Angeles, property values have increased from $280,092 in 2015 to $412,226 in 2020, before reaching $548,075 in 2024, with its 95.7% appreciation still keeping it relatively attainable compared to surrounding coastal areas.
#14. Willmore City (Long Beach)
Willmore City, a historic neighborhood just a mile from downtown Long Beach and its vibrant waterfront, offers relatively affordable coastal living within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Located near the Port of Long Beach and the 710 freeway, property values have risen from $274,682 in 2015 to $412,555 in 2020, before reaching $556,562 in 2024, yet its 102.6% appreciation still keeps it more attainable than many coastal alternatives.
#13. Hellman (Long Beach)
Hellman, situated 2 miles from downtown Long Beach and its popular waterfront attractions, provides a more affordable option for coastal living in the Los Angeles area. Just minutes from the beach and the Metro Blue Line to downtown LA, property values have increased from $258,759 in 2015 to $408,365 in 2020, before reaching $559,749 in 2024, with its 116.3% appreciation still maintaining relative affordability.
#12. Thille (Ventura)
Thille, located in Ventura about 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles and just 3 miles from the historic Ventura Pier, represents one of the more affordable coastal neighborhoods in this upscale beach city. Despite its proximity to both the beach and the 101 freeway, property values remain relatively moderate, increasing from $316,506 in 2015 to $402,001 in 2020, before reaching $560,315 in 2024, showing a 77.0% appreciation.
#11. Mission Valley West (San Diego)
Mission Valley West, positioned 4 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and adjacent to the San Diego River, offers convenient coastal city living at a more moderate price point. Near major shopping centers and the 8 freeway, property values have grown from $297,032 in 2015 to $385,595 in 2020, before reaching $569,174 in 2024, with its 91.6% appreciation maintaining relative affordability for the San Diego region.
#10. College Park (Oxnard)
College Park, situated about 2 miles from Oxnard Beach Park and 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, provides an affordable coastal living option in Ventura County. Near Oxnard College and Channel Islands Harbor, property values have increased from $327,456 in 2015 to $434,660 in 2020, before reaching $573,624 in 2024, with its 75.2% appreciation keeping it relatively attainable.
#9. Hobson Park East (Oxnard)
Hobson Park East, located 2.5 miles from Oxnard State Beach and minutes from Channel Islands Harbor, offers more affordable coastal living within the greater Los Angeles area. Despite its proximity to both the beach and downtown Oxnard, property values remain moderate, rising from $307,358 in 2015 to $426,886 in 2020, before reaching $602,180 in 2024, showing a 95.9% appreciation.
#8. Orchard (Oxnard)
Orchard, positioned 3 miles from Oxnard’s beautiful beaches and the Channel Islands Harbor, provides a relatively affordable entry point to coastal living. Located in a city just 60 miles from Los Angeles, property values have increased from $332,791 in 2015 to $436,457 in 2020, before reaching $602,511 in 2024, with its 81.0% appreciation maintaining comparative affordability.
#7. East Side (Long Beach)
East Side, located 2 miles from Long Beach’s popular waterfront and 25 miles south of Los Angeles, offers urban coastal living at a more moderate price point. Near the Colorado Lagoon and Recreation Park Golf Course, property values have risen from $324,597 in 2015 to $463,901 in 2020, before reaching $610,899 in 2024, with its 88.2% appreciation still keeping it relatively attainable.
#6. La Colonia (Oxnard)
La Colonia, situated 2.5 miles from Oxnard State Beach and the Channel Islands Harbor, represents one of the more affordable options for coastal living in Ventura County. Despite its proximity to both the beach and downtown Oxnard, property values remain moderate, increasing from $314,861 in 2015 to $433,608 in 2020, before reaching $612,112 in 2024, showing a 94.4% appreciation.
#5. Cypress (Oxnard)
Cypress, located just 3 miles from Mandalay State Beach and Channel Islands Harbor, provides a relatively affordable coastal living option in the greater Los Angeles area. Near both the 101 freeway and downtown Oxnard, property values have grown from $322,980 in 2015 to $434,968 in 2020, before reaching $614,473 in 2024, with its 90.3% appreciation maintaining comparative affordability.
#4. Teralta West (San Diego)
Teralta West, positioned 4 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and its beautiful harbor, offers urban coastal living at a more moderate price point. Located near both the I-15 and I-805 freeways, property values have increased from $292,085 in 2015 to $429,462 in 2020, before reaching $621,441 in 2024, though its 112.8% appreciation still keeps it relatively attainable for the San Diego market.
#3. Rose Park (Oxnard)
Rose Park, situated 2.5 miles from Oxnard State Beach and the Channel Islands Harbor, provides one of the more affordable options for coastal living in Ventura County. Despite its convenient location near both the beach and the 101 freeway, property values have risen from $313,875 in 2015 to $432,449 in 2020, before reaching $621,600 in 2024, with its 98.0% appreciation maintaining relative affordability.
#2. Cortez Hill (San Diego)
Cortez Hill, located in the heart of downtown San Diego just a mile from the harbor and Waterfront Park, offers urban coastal living with spectacular bay views. Despite its prime location near the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy, property values have shown moderate growth from $401,094 in 2015 to $470,064 in 2020, before reaching $623,467 in 2024, with its modest 55.4% appreciation keeping it relatively attainable for a downtown location.
#1. Fairmount Village (San Diego)
Fairmount Village, situated 5 miles northeast of downtown San Diego and its harbor, tops our list while still offering relatively attainable coastal city living. Located near both the I-805 and I-15 freeways, and just minutes from Balboa Park, property values have increased significantly from $283,324 in 2015 to $451,833 in 2020, before reaching $633,975 in 2024. Despite its impressive 123.8% appreciation, it remains one of the more affordable options for accessing San Diego’s coastal lifestyle.
