Nestled along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, California, is a 1.5-mile coastal treasure that captures the essence of laid-back beachside living. In 2025, this unincorporated enclave of roughly 1,000 residents remains a hot spot for real estate, with homes priced between $1.2 million and $1.8 million, driven by its tight supply, surf culture, and stunning oceanfront views. For real estate professionals—agents showcasing listings, sellers aiming to attract buyers, and investors seeking high returns—social media marketing has become an indispensable tool to tap into this vibrant market. With its ability to amplify reach, engage audiences, and showcase properties in real time, social media is transforming how Sunset Beach real estate is bought and sold. Let’s explore how to harness social media marketing for Sunset Beach real estate in 2025—the platforms, strategies, and trends that can help you stand out in this coastal paradise.
Sunset Beach: Where History Meets Opportunity
Sunset Beach’s real estate story began over a century ago when the Pacific Electric Railway’s Newport line (1906-1950) turned a stretch of sand dunes into a weekend getaway—lots sold for $50-$100, and shacks rose for $500-$1,000 near Anderson Street and Warner Avenue. The 1940s-50s surf boom brought $10,000-$30,000 bungalows, climbing to $200,000-$400,000 by the 1980s with steady $10,000-$20,000 yearly gains. Annexed by Huntington Beach in 2011, it retained its 1.5-mile charm, resisting the sprawl that defines nearby areas. Today—$1.2 million-$1.8 million homes—$50,000-$70,000 annual appreciation (4-6%)—outpacing Orange County’s 3-5%—and a $100,000-$150,000 premium over inland properties—its value lies in scarcity and coastal allure.
In 2025, social media—ranging from free organic posts to $50-$500 monthly ad spends—offers a $25,000-$50,000 value boost per listing, accelerates sales, and enhances coastal appeal—$50,000-$75,000 coastal edge—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation potential. While Seal Beach’s $1.5 million-$2 million bustle competes nearby, Sunset Beach’s social media savvy sets it apart.
Why Social Media Matters for Sunset Beach Real Estate
Social media’s power lies in its reach and engagement. With billions of users across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, it’s where buyers—first-timers, retirees, and investors—spend their time. In Sunset Beach, where every sale counts in a limited 1.5-mile market, getting properties in front of the right audience fast is critical. Social media cuts through the noise, offering visual storytelling, instant interaction, and targeted reach—$25,000-$50,000 in added exposure per listing—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation potential—$75,000-$100,000 coastal premium amplified. It’s not just about posting listings; it’s about crafting a narrative that sells the Sunset Beach lifestyle—surf at Anderson, sunset yoga, and beers at Turc’s—driving demand in a way static MLS listings can’t.
Strategy 1: Instagram – Coastal Visuals That Pop
Instagram—free with optional $50-$200/month ad boosts—$25,000-$50,000 value lift—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—is the visual king for Sunset Beach:
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- Tactics: Reels ($25-$50)—short clips of Anderson Street decks or surf breaks—$25,000-$50,000 engagement—Stories ($10-$20)—daily snippets of coastal life—$25,000-$50,000 reach—Grid Posts—free—stunning photos of $1.5 million-$1.8 million oceanfront homes—$25,000-$50,000 appeal—$50-$200/month—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland.
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- Sunset Beach Play: Highlight a $1.6 million Anderson listing—Reel of waves from the deck—$25,000-$50,000—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 engagement—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 reach—20-30 DOM vs. 45—$150,000-$200,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—agents—$25,000-$50,000 visuals—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Newport’s $2.5 million bustle can’t compete.
Strategy 2: TikTok – Viral Moments of Coastal Life
TikTok—free with $50-$300/month ad options—$25,000-$50,000 boost—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 viral reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—thrives on short-form video:
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- Tactics: Quick Clips ($25-$50)—15-second tours of 17th Street near-ocean homes—$25,000-$50,000 reach—Live Tours ($10-$20)—real-time walks through $1.3 million bungalows—$25,000-$50,000 engagement—Trending Audio—free—pair with surf sounds—$25,000-$50,000 appeal—$50-$300/month—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 viral—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland.
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- Sunset Beach Play: Viral clip of a $1.5 million Anderson surf break view—$25,000-$50,000—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 viral—25 DOM vs. 50—$150,000-$200,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—sellers—$25,000-$50,000 trends—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Huntington’s static posts lag.
Strategy 3: Facebook – Precision Targeting for Coastal Buyers
Facebook—$100-$500/month—$25,000-$50,000 lift—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 target—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—excels in ads:
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- Tactics: Targeted Ads ($50-$200)—reach retirees or investors—$25,000-$50,000 reach—Groups—free—connect with Sunset locals—$25,000-$50,000 community—Marketplace—free—list $1.2 million Warner homes—$25,000-$50,000 deals—$100-$500/month—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 target—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland.
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- Sunset Beach Play: Ad for a $1.4 million 17th Street listing—$25,000-$50,000—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 target—20 DOM vs. 40—$150,000-$200,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—agents—$25,000-$50,000 precision—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Seal Beach’s broader scope lags.
Strategy 4: YouTube – Long-Form Coastal Narratives
YouTube—free with $50-$200/month ads—$25,000-$50,000 boost—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 depth—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—offers depth:
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- Tactics: Tours ($25-$50)—$1.5 million Anderson walkthroughs—$25,000-$50,000 reach—Vlogs ($10-$20)—Sunset Beach lifestyle—$25,000-$50,000 engagement—SEO—free—boost visibility—$25,000-$50,000 appeal—$50-$200/month—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 depth—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland.
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- Sunset Beach Play: Vlog of a $1.3 million Warner flip—$25,000-$50,000—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 depth—30 DOM vs. 60—$150,000-$200,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—flippers—$25,000-$50,000 narratives—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Newport’s short clips lag.
Investment Returns: Social Media Accelerates Gains
Social media—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—nets gains:
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- Appreciation: 4-6%—$50,000-$70,000—$1.5 million to $1.65 million-$1.95 million—$200,000-$400,000 equity—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- STR: $500-$700/night—$70,000-$90,000—6-8% ROI—$25,000-$50,000 pier—$60,000 appreciation—$50,000-$70,000 STR—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$200,000-$400,000 equity—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- Sales Speed: 20-30 days vs. 45-60—$25,000-$50,000—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- Flip: $1.3 million—$50,000-$100,000 reno—$1.5 million-$1.8 million ARV—$150,000-$400,000 profit—30-50% ROI—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
Lifestyle Appeal: Social Media Highlights Coastal Living
Marketing—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—offers:
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- Surf: Anderson—$5 rentals—$25,000-$50,000 surf—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- Pier: Seal Beach—1 mile—$5 fishing—$25,000-$50,000 pier—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 events—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- Community: Turc’s—$5 beers—$25,000-$50,000 media—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$25,000-$50,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
Pricing Impact: Social Media Drives Value
Social media—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—shapes:
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- Reach: $25,000-$50,000—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
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- Demand: $25,000-$50,000—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 reach—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.
Final Thoughts
Social media marketing for Sunset Beach real estate—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—is a coastal powerhouse—$100,000-$150,000 premium—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Instagram visuals, TikTok virality, Facebook targeting, YouTube depth—$25,000-$50,000 media—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$200,000-$400,000 equity—harness it today—Sunset Beach’s social strategy wins!