
Laguna Beach, California 92651
Analysis of 31886 Hillside, Laguna Beach, California 92651 is currently available with a list price of $1,295,000. The property maintains a Excellent Condition Rating (95/100), indicating excellent structural integrity and modern finishes throughout. This turnkey property requires minimal updates and is ready for immediate occupancy. Located in a high-demand neighborhood within the Laguna Beach Unified School District, this asset is categorized as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition suitable for both Buy-and-Hold Investors and Owner-Occupants willing to undertake light renovation work.
Property is new construction or fully renovated.
Despite the 1948 build date, the interior has undergone a high-quality recent renovation featuring a modern kitchen with stone countertops, updated cabinetry, and engineered hardwood flooring. The property is in mint, move-in ready condition with no visible deferred maintenance.
Elementary School: El Morro Elementary School (9/10). Middle School: Thurston Middle School (9/10). High School: Laguna Beach High School (9/10).
The property comes with Laguna Beach Design Review approved plans for an additional bedroom, bathroom, loft, and garage, providing a rare and valuable head start for future development.
This classic 1948 cottage has been tastefully updated with a remodeled kitchen, stone countertops, and engineered hardwood floors, blending vintage charm with modern functionality.
At only 440 square feet, the current living space is exceptionally small for a single-family home, which may restrict the buyer pool to individuals or those looking for a secondary residence.
The list price of $1.295M reflects a very high price per square foot, placing a heavy premium on the land value and approved plans rather than the existing habitable structure.
Situated in a quiet pocket of South Laguna Beach, this inviting cottage welcomes you through a charming Dutch door entry, with French doors and windows wrapping every room in natural light and coastal air. Warm, simple, and completely at ease with itself, this is classic beach cottage living at its best. The layout flows naturally from entry to living space to deck, each room connecting effortlessly to the next. Engineered hardwood floors run underfoot, and the remodeled kitchen is appointed with stone counters, generous counter space, open shelving, ample cabinet storage, and a dishwasher. Functional, fresh, and thoughtfully done. The bedroom is a quiet retreat with a skylight overhead. The bath continues the light-filled feel with a tub-in-shower beneath its own skylight. Simple and just right. Outside, the deck becomes an additional room and al fresco retreat, the one you'll find yourself in most. Head into downtown Laguna Beach for a farmers market morning, wind south to Dana Point Harbor for the afternoon, then come back and settle in for an evening that asks nothing more of you than to stay awhile. Just a few blocks to 1000 Steps Beach, this is one of Laguna Beach's most compelling values. An affordable single family home with genuine character in a community where that combination is increasingly rare. Laguna Beach Design Review approved plans for an additional bedroom and bathroom, a loft, and garage, add further upside, making this a rare foothold on the California coast at an approachable price point.
No exterior & parking available.
Grades K-5 • 5.7 mi
Grades 6-8 • 3.7 mi
Grades 9-12 • 3.7 mi
No sensitive facilities data found.
| Feature | Subject | Average Home | Neighborhood Ranking (50 Listings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beds | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3% |
| Baths | 1.0 | 3.0 | 5% |
| Square foot | 440 | 2,130 | 2% |
| Lot Size | 2,100 | 6,112.5 | 4% |
| Price | $1.29M | $3.20M | 3% |
| Price per sq ft | $2.9K | $1.5K | 92% |
| Built year | 1948 | 1964 | 29% |
| HOA | $0 | $0 | 50% |
| Days on market | 11 | 166 | 3% |
Jun 3, 2026
$1,295,000
Initial Listing
Mar 30, 2021
$650,000
Public Record
Apr 23, 2012
$475,000
Public Record
Dec 9, 2009
$450,500
Public Record
Mar 27, 2003
$457,500
Public Record