Sunset Beach, California, a serene coastal enclave within Huntington Beach, is a slice of paradise along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Known for its pristine beaches, iconic water tower house, and a tight community of roughly 641 homes, this neighborhood blends laid-back coastal charm with undeniable allure. While South Pacific Avenue hugs the oceanfront, North Pacific Avenue—running parallel to PCH on its eastern side—offers a unique counterpoint. These homes, often just steps from Huntington Harbour and a short stroll from the beach, marry seaside appeal with investment savvy. As we explore February 2025, this blog post dives into why North Pacific Avenue homes stand out, weaving together their charm, market trends, and untapped potential for residents and investors alike.
Sunset Beach and North Pacific Avenue: The Lay of the Land
Sunset Beach’s allure is rooted in its small size and coastal exclusivity. Stretching 1.5 miles along PCH, it’s a retreat from Orange County’s urban sprawl, with a median home value of $2.5-$2.7 million in February 2025 (up from $1.2-$1.5M in 2015) and luxury listings hitting $7 million (RocketHomes, December 2024). Its inventory is famously tight—2-5 listings at a time—driving a premium that outpaces Huntington Beach’s $1.28 million median.
North Pacific Avenue anchors the eastern edge of this enclave, flanked by PCH to the west and Huntington Harbour’s waterways to the east. Unlike South Pacific Avenue’s oceanfront perch, North Pacific offers a mix of harbor-front and near-ocean properties, often with docks or views of sailboats gliding through the marina. Numbered streets (1st to 17th) connect it to the beach, a 2-5-minute walk, while Linear Park—a 14-acre greenbelt—adds a pastoral buffer. This positioning delivers coastal charm with a twist: proximity to water on two fronts, minus the highway’s hum, making it a quieter, versatile gem.
Coastal Charm: The North Pacific Avenue Vibe
North Pacific Avenue exudes a charm that’s distinctly Sunset Beach—relaxed yet refined, historic yet modern. Picture a 1950s beach bungalow with weathered shingles and a harbor-view porch, or a 2020s remodel with sleek lines and a private dock. These homes, typically 1,500-3,500 square feet, blend mid-century simplicity with contemporary upgrades—think hardwood floors, open-plan layouts, and glass walls framing water vistas. The street’s layout fosters intimacy, with tree-lined sidewalks and neighbors nodding hello, a nod to Sunset Beach’s roots as a tight-knit outpost founded in 1904.
The harbor proximity is a standout. Homes backing onto Huntington Harbour—say, at 16500 or 16600 North Pacific—offer docks for kayaks or small boats, a rarity steps from PCH. Morning coffee comes with egret sightings, while evenings bring harbor sunsets rivaling the beach’s famed displays. A short walk west lands you on Sunset Beach’s sands, uncrowded thanks to limited parking, preserving the area’s low-key vibe. This dual-water access—harbor and ocean—infuses North Pacific Avenue with a coastal charm that’s both practical and picturesque, appealing to retirees (median age 55), families, and remote workers seeking a slice of serenity.
Market Snapshot: Prices and Trends in 2025
North Pacific Avenue homes reflect Sunset Beach’s premium market, tempered by their slightly inland perch. In February 2025, expect a median price range of $2-$2.5 million—below South Pacific’s $2.5-$7 million oceanfront highs but well above Huntington Beach’s $1.28 million. A 3-bedroom, 2-bath harbor-front home might list at $2.3 million ($1,200-$1,500 per square foot), while a larger 4-bedroom with dock access could hit $3 million. These figures track Sunset Beach’s 67-125% growth since 2015 ($1.2-$1.5M), or 5.3-8.4% annually, outpacing California’s 89% ($481K to $909K, C.A.R. 2025 forecast).
Inventory mirrors the broader enclave’s scarcity—perhaps 1-3 listings monthly on North Pacific, part of Sunset Beach’s 2-5 total. December 2024 saw two homes market-wide, with a 122-day DOM, suggesting a slow, seller-driven pace. In 2025, North Pacific sales align with this: 100-150 days, with cash buyers (60-65% of transactions) dominating over financed offers (rates at 6.89%, potentially 6.5% by year-end). Appreciation forecasts of 4-6% annually promise $2.5-$3 million medians by 2030, blending stability with upside.
Investment Potential: Beyond the Charm
North Pacific Avenue isn’t just a pretty face—it’s an investor’s dream, balancing coastal appeal with tangible returns. Here’s why:
1. Rental Yields
The harbor and beach proximity make these homes rental goldmines. A 3-bedroom North Pacific rental fetches $4,000-$7,000 monthly, per local trends, with peak summer rates at $300-$500 nightly via Airbnb. Lower than South Pacific’s $6K-$10K oceanfront yields, but still robust—3-4% annually on a $2M investment ($60K-$80K). Demand spans vacationers drawn to Huntington Beach’s pier and surf scene, plus long-term tenants seeking harbor access.
2. Appreciation
Sunset Beach’s scarcity drives value, and North Pacific rides this wave. A $2 million home today could hit $2.4-$2.6 million by 2030 (18-22% growth, CoreLogic), a solid long-term play. Less exposed to oceanfront risks, these homes offer a slightly safer bet within the enclave’s premium market.
3. Versatility
North Pacific homes cater to diverse buyers—families wanting harbor docks, retirees seeking single-story charm, or investors eyeing flips. Renovations (e.g., $100K-$200K) can boost a $1.8M fixer-upper to $2.5M, leveraging the $1,200-$1,500 per square foot norm.
Cash dominance (60-65%) ensures quick closings, while rental income offsets high entry costs—$2M-$3M upfront, plus $5K-$10K annual insurance and $10K-$20K maintenance. It’s not a quick flip market—100-150 DOM requires patience—but a hold strategy shines.
Lifestyle Perks: Living the Dream
Beyond numbers, North Pacific Avenue delivers a lifestyle that enhances its investment appeal. Residents enjoy:
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- Harbor Access: Kayaking or paddleboarding from your backyard, with Bolsa Chica wetlands nearby for nature lovers.
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- Beach Proximity: A 2-5-minute walk to uncrowded sands, perfect for surfing or sunset strolls.
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- Community: A quieter vibe than PCH, with Linear Park’s trails and playgrounds fostering a neighborly feel.
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- Convenience: Steps from PCH’s cafes (e.g., Mother’s Tavern) and a short drive to Huntington Beach’s downtown buzz.
This mix appeals to Sunset Beach’s affluent base—median income $145,571—blending practicality with coastal bliss, a draw for long-term residents and seasonal tenants alike.
Economic and Environmental Context
In 2025, North Pacific Avenue benefits from Sunset Beach’s economic resilience. California’s job market—unemployment below 5%, GDP growth at 2.5-3%—channels Orange County wealth here, sustaining demand. Interest rates (6.89%, potentially 6.5%) boost financed buyers marginally, but cash rules, insulating sales. A $2M home at 6.89% with 20% down costs $10,550 monthly—$10,050 at 6.5%—savings dwarfed by cash offers.
Environmental risks loom: 43% flood risk, 99% wildfire exposure over 30 years, though harbor-front homes face less direct ocean threat than South Pacific. Insurance runs $5K-$10K annually, maintenance $10K-$20K—costs absorbed by appreciation and yields. Resilience shines—Sunset Beach dipped 5-10% in 2022-2023 vs. California’s 9%, and North Pacific holds steady.
North vs. South Pacific: A Charming Contrast
Compared to South Pacific Avenue’s oceanfront splendor ($2.5M-$7M), North Pacific offers a subtler charm. South Pacific’s direct beach access commands higher prices and rental rates, but North Pacific counters with harbor views, lower noise, and a $2M-$3M entry point—more accessible within Sunset Beach’s luxury tier. Both share scarcity and coastal appeal, but North Pacific’s dual-water vibe and quieter setting make it a sleeper hit for charm and investment.
The 2025 Outlook: Seize the Potential
In February 2025, North Pacific Avenue homes beckon:
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- Buyers: $2M-$2.5M secures a 3-bedroom harbor gem, $3M an upscale retreat—steps from beach and dock.
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- Sellers: List at $1,200-$1,500 per square foot; 100-150 days yields cash offers in a tight market.
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- Investors: $4K-$7K monthly rentals, 4-6% growth to $2.5M-$3M by 2030—coastal charm with profit.
This isn’t South Pacific’s flashy oceanfront—it’s a quieter, versatile charm with investment teeth. Whether you’re docking a boat, renting to surfers, or holding for decades, North Pacific Avenue blends Sunset Beach’s best: coastal living, community warmth, and a market poised for gains. It’s charm you can bank on.
