Santa Ana Heights Homes For Sale
Eastside Costa Mesa’s Secluded Equestrian & Coastal Enclave
A Hidden Gem with a Newport Connection
As a local resident in Mesa Verde, I often tell clients that Santa Ana Heights is the Mesa Verde of the Eastside. It is where you go when you want larger lots, a sense of rural serenity, and a Newport Beach mailing address, all at a meaningful discount to Newport Beach proper. Bordering the Newport Back Bay and the Santa Ana Country Club, this neighborhood is unique for its 20,000+ sq ft lots and its position as one of the last coastal-adjacent communities in Orange County where equestrian zoning is still active.
Custom estates in Santa Ana Heights
Santa Ana Heights is one of the few coastal-adjacent neighborhoods where you can still find equestrian-zoned properties alongside modern custom-built compounds. The neighborhood spans a wide spectrum from smaller homes and condos near the country club to sprawling estates with direct Back Bay trail access. What makes the area enduringly valuable is the permanence of both the open space adjacency and the Newport Beach mailing address, neither of which can be replicated or built over.
Want to understand the specific lot sizes, equestrian zoning boundaries, and which Santa Ana Heights properties back to the best amenities? Call or text me directly: 949-430-7500
Lifestyle & Recreation
Market Intelligence
Experience the Heights Lifestyle
From custom horse properties to luxury fairway estates, Santa Ana Heights offers a combination of space, nature access, and Newport prestige that is genuinely rare in coastal Orange County.
Santa Ana Heights Real Estate FAQ
Is Santa Ana Heights part of Costa Mesa or Newport Beach?
Santa Ana Heights is an unincorporated community under Orange County jurisdiction, not formally part of either Costa Mesa or Newport Beach city limits. However, many addresses carry a Newport Beach, CA 92660 mailing designation, which is one of the neighborhood's distinctive features. The area is adjacent to Eastside Costa Mesa and borders the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Buyers should verify the specific jurisdiction for any address, as it affects which city services, zoning rules, and permit processes apply.
Can you have horses in Santa Ana Heights?
Yes. Santa Ana Heights has equestrian zoning designations on select parcels that allow horses on the property. The large lot sizes in the neighborhood, often exceeding 20,000 square feet, make it one of the very few coastal-adjacent communities in Orange County where equestrian use is still viable. Not every parcel is equestrian-zoned, so buyers interested in keeping horses should confirm the specific zoning designation for any property with Orange County Planning before making an offer.
What is the Newport Back Bay access like from Santa Ana Heights?
Santa Ana Heights sits directly adjacent to the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, a 752-acre estuary that is one of the largest in Southern California. The Back Bay Loop Trail runs along the preserve perimeter and is accessible on foot or by bike from the neighborhood without getting in a car. The trail connects through to Newport Beach and offers birding, kayaking launch points, and open water views. This park adjacency is a permanent amenity that significantly enhances the lifestyle value of the neighborhood.
What types of homes are available in Santa Ana Heights?
Santa Ana Heights has a wide spectrum of property types. At the entry level, smaller single-family homes and condos sit near the Santa Ana Country Club. At the top end, custom-built modern compounds and sprawling equestrian estates on 20,000 to 40,000+ square foot lots define the luxury segment. The neighborhood also has homes backing directly to the Santa Ana Country Club fairways and properties with direct trail access to the Back Bay. For current pricing and active inventory across all property types, see our live Eastside market report, updated every 5 minutes from the MLS.