When families consider coastal living, two neighborhoods often come to mind: Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles and Newport Heights in Newport Beach. Both offer that rare mix of community, walkability, and a strong family lifestyle.
With so many families tragically displaced by the California wildfires, I've had more conversations than ever with people searching for a neighborhood that feels like “home” again. If you're considering moving to Newport Beach after the wildfires, Newport Heights offers a lifestyle strikingly familiar to anyone who has loved life in the Pacific Palisades.
My Story: From Santa Monica to Newport Heights
From 2008 to 2015, I lived just off Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. While I never officially lived in the Pacific Palisades, I practically lived the culture. I'd walk to R&D Kitchen on Thursday nights, grab coffee and dinner within minutes of my doorstep, and take my dog to Palisades Park overlooking the ocean—always with the thought: "I'm living the dream."
Fast forward to today—I live and work in Newport Heights, Newport Beach, and I can confidently say: the two neighborhoods share many similarities. You'll find amazing and clean parks overlooking the Newport Harbor, as well as restaurants, shopping, and specialty stores nearby. As Cassie French, a Newport Beach realtor, I help families every day who are making the transition from LA's Westside to coastal Orange County. Knowing which city and neighborhoods best suit your personal needs is something I love helping home buyers with!
The Pros of Newport Heights Living
1. Comparable Lifestyle
Newport Heights is the Orange County twin of Pacific Palisades. You've got shops and dining right off 17th Street and PCH, all walkable or golf-cart friendly. Saturday brunch? Easy. Running errands without feeling like you’re in gridlock? Even easier. The lifestyle is very active, family-friendly, and very neighborly. If you need someone to put your trash cans away, you'll find a neighbor willing to help! Another perk of living in Newport Beach is that you can actually go to the beach. You can surf, paddleboard, and enjoy a boat ride on the Harbor. You wouldn't be caught swimming at Santa Monica Beach.
2. Larger Lots & Breathing Room
I know many displaced families moved to the South Bay because it is a closer location, and the schools allowed those from the Palisades to join in their school year. As amazing as Manhattan Beach may be, some South Bay neighborhoods are packed in like sardines where every square foot is maximized. Newport Heights offers lot sizes much more comparable to the Palisades—so you're not fighting for parking or staring directly into your neighbor's window.
3. Excellent Schools
From Newport Harbor High School to the abundance of private schools nearby, families have plenty of strong educational options, just like in the Palisades.
4. Family-Friendly Community
Neighbors here are not only welcoming but truly look out for one another. It’s a neighborhood that values community—and it shows. There are many community events; my favorite being Halloween. Every neighbor decks out their home for the holiday—even more than Christmas, it seems.
The Cons of Newport Heights
1. Not as Walkable as LA’s Westside
While Newport Heights is walkable in its own way, it’s a little more “golf cart chic” than “Montana Avenue sidewalk stroll.” The lifestyle is the same—but the vibe is slightly different. More of a golf cart neighborhood.
2. The Higher Price Tag Still Exists
Newport Heights is still Newport Beach—it's not inexpensive. The lifestyle that both the Palisades and Newport Heights offer comes with a heavy admission fee. That said, you often get more for your money compared to the Westside, but not a huge financial difference.
Final Thoughts
At the heart of both neighborhoods—Pacific Palisades and Newport Heights—you’ll find the same core values: community, convenience, and coastal family living.
For anyone moving to Newport Beach after the wildfires or simply looking for that perfect “next chapter” neighborhood, Newport Heights offers the Palisades lifestyle with just a little more breathing room.
👉 I’m Cassie French, a Newport Beach real estate agent, and I’d love to help you explore what Newport Heights has to offer. Having lived in Santa Monica for seven years and now calling Newport Heights home, I understand both cultures—and I can help your family transition into a neighborhood that feels like home again.
