
Laguna Beach, California 92651
This Rare Legacy Oceanfront Estate is listed at $18,500,000, representing a stable acquisition priced accurately to its $18,451,617 Fair Market Value. Featuring Panoramic Ocean Views and a rare Oceanfront Lawn, the property maintains a Well-Maintained Condition Rating despite its original 1981 finishes. The substantial 6,908 sqft floor plan and location within the Laguna Beach Unified district offer a significant value-add opportunity through interior modernization. This singular offering is ideal for Luxury Homeowners or Visionary Developers looking to curate a world-class coastal sanctuary.
Comparables within 1 miles sold in recently
| Address | Sold Price | Beds | Baths | Sq Ft | $/Sqft | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
★ 245 Crescent Bay Drive Subject | $18,500,000* List Price | 4 | 5 | 6,908 | $2,671 | - |
A 15 Smithcliffs Active | $14,500,000 List Price | 4 | 9 | 7,119 | $2,037 | 0.2 mi |
* Subject property listed price vs sold prices of comps.
Property is moderate renovation needed.
Built in 1981, this estate is well-maintained but remains largely in its original stylistic state. The kitchen is significantly dated, featuring tiled countertops with decorative borders and older cabinetry. Interior finishes like the parquet flooring and extensive grid-style windows reflect 1980s architecture. While functional and grand in scale, the property requires substantial modernization of its primary systems and aesthetic features to meet current luxury standards.
Situated on the prestigious north-western point of Crescent Bay, this legacy estate offers unparalleled panoramic ocean views and a building envelope that would be nearly impossible to replicate under current coastal development restrictions.
The property features an expansive oceanfront lawn and private gardens, a unique and highly coveted feature for Laguna Beach estates that provides exceptional privacy and a park-like setting.
With nearly 7,000 square feet of flexible living space and three oversized garage bays, the home offers a level of interior volume and parking capacity rarely found in oceanfront properties.
Built in 1981, the estate may require significant capital investment to update its interior finishes and systems to meet the expectations of modern ultra-luxury buyers.
The property has been on the market for over 230 days and has undergone a substantial price reduction, which may indicate a disconnect between the initial asking price and current market demand for its specific style.
Magnificently situated on the prized north-western point of Crescent Bay, Chateau du Soleil overlooks the glistening Pacific Ocean, the picturesque curve of Crescent Bay, and a view immortalized countless times in paintings and photographs. This is an extremely rare opportunity to own a legacy estate property with only four previous owners stretching back to the nineteenth century. Anchoring the estate is an expansive oceanfront lawn and gardens – a unique feature rarely found in oceanfront estates along this coast. This generous space provides a special sense of serenity and offers a level of privacy uncommon in oceanfront living. Whether used for entertaining, relaxing or simply taking in the ever-changing light over the water or whale-watching, the space feels like your own private overlook park. The views from inside the home are epic - framed by towering two-story 'windows on the Pacific'. With substantial interior square footage and a forward location on the point, the home would be difficult (if not impossible) to replicate under today’s coastal development restrictions. Currently configured as a four-bedroom home with an abundance of additional flexible-use rooms, the floor plan and size easily lend themselves to a variety of configurations depending on the new owner’s needs. Also unusual in oceanfront properties, this home has three oversized garage bays and driveway parking. For those unfamiliar with Laguna Beach’s Crescent Bay, this stretch of sand is stunningly beautiful and never without something interesting to watch. Waves crash on the tide pools in endlessly interesting patterns, pelicans fly by at eye level as they head back to their nests, colorful umbrellas dot the sand, and the local marine mammal rescue uses this beach to release the seals and sea lions they’ve nursed back to health. It is considered one of the most picturesque spots on the California coast and inspired the artist pilgrimage to the area that established Laguna Beach before the 20th century. Crescent Bay Drive and even this property counts among its owners and residents many of the notable families whose names are still known to this day – Heisler, McKnight, and Florence ‘Pancho’ Barnes. Chateau du Soleil, 245 Crescent Bay Drive, is a singular offering. Spectacular locale, stunning setting, and the required existing building envelope to satisfy dreams. Rare are estate opportunities like this.
No exterior & parking available.
No sensitive facilities data found.
| Feature | Subject | Average Home | Neighborhood Ranking (50 Listings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beds | 4.0 | 3.0 | 54% |
| Baths | 5.0 | 3.0 | 84% |
| Square foot | 6,908 | 2,111 | 99% |
| Lot Size | 12,850 | 6,003 | 91% |
| Price | $18.50M | $3.10M | 98% |
| Price per sq ft | $2.7K | $1.6K | 86% |
| Built year | 1981 | 1965 | 74% |
| HOA | $0 | $0 | 50% |
| Days on market | 247 | 183 | 72% |
Jan 27, 2026
$18,500,000
$19,995,000
-7% Price Drop
Initial Listing
Aug 18, 2025
$19,995,000
Initial Listing