Sunset Beach Waterfront Properties: What’s Available in 2025

Sunset Beach, California, a charming coastal enclave within Huntington Beach, is synonymous with exclusive waterfront living along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). With its pristine beaches, iconic water tower house, and a tight-knit community of approximately 641 homes, this 1.5-mile stretch offers a rare blend of serenity and prestige. As we dive into February 2025, the allure of Sunset Beach’s waterfront properties—those perched along the oceanfront or backing onto Huntington Harbour—continues to captivate buyers seeking luxury, lifestyle, and investment potential. This blog post explores what’s available in Sunset Beach’s waterfront real estate market in 2025, spotlighting current trends, standout properties, and the factors shaping this coveted niche.

 

The Waterfront Appeal of Sunset Beach

 

Waterfront living in Sunset Beach is a dream defined by its dual offerings: the Pacific Ocean to the west and Huntington Harbour’s tranquil waterways to the east. South Pacific Avenue hugs the beachfront, delivering direct sand access and panoramic ocean views, while North Pacific Avenue and nearby streets like Broadway offer harbor-front homes with docks and marina charm. In February 2025, the market reflects this duality—oceanfront properties command $5-7 million, while harbor-front homes range from $2-3.5 million, per local trends. The median home value across Sunset Beach sits at $2.5-$2.7 million, with a December 2024 median list price of $7.18 million skewed by luxury outliers (RocketHomes).

 

Scarcity drives this market. With only 2-5 listings at any time—two in December 2024—waterfront properties are the rarest of the rare, often comprising half or more of available homes due to their prime positioning. Cash buyers dominate (60-65% of sales), drawn by the lifestyle—surfing, boating, and sunsets—and investment potential, with rental yields of $5,000-$10,000 monthly. Let’s explore what’s on offer in 2025, blending real trends with imagined listings to paint a vivid picture.

 

Oceanfront Gems: South Pacific Avenue Highlights

 

South Pacific Avenue, running parallel to PCH on its western edge, is Sunset Beach’s oceanfront crown. In 2025, expect 1-2 of the market’s scant listings to hail from here, each a testament to coastal luxury.

 

1. 16812 South Pacific Avenue – The Oceanfront Modern

 

• • Price: $6.9 million

• • Specs: 4 beds, 5 baths, 3,600 sq ft

• • Features: Built in 2021, this glass-walled masterpiece boasts an infinity pool, rooftop deck, and private beach stairs. The open-plan living area flows onto a deck with 180-degree ocean views, while a smart-home system controls lighting and climate. At $1,916 per square foot, it’s a premium play.

• • Appeal: Ideal for remote workers or entertainers, with $10,000-$12,000 monthly rental potential during peak season.

 

2. 16790 South Pacific Avenue – The Classic Coastal Estate

 

• • Price: $7.2 million

• • Specs: 5 beds, 6 baths, 4,000 sq ft

• • Features: A 1980s build, renovated in 2024, with stucco walls, a wraparound balcony, and a master suite overlooking crashing waves. A three-car garage and $1,800 per square foot price tag nod to its legacy status.

• • Appeal: Perfect for retirees or legacy buyers, with historical charm near the water tower house and $8,000-$11,000 monthly rental yields.

 

These oceanfront homes reflect 2025 trends: high prices ($5-7M), slow sales (100-150 days DOM), and a focus on luxury upgrades. Scarcity—only 1-2 listings—means they’re snapped up by cash buyers or linger until the right offer, sustaining Sunset Beach’s $2,500-$2,700 average value despite a 15% list price drop from 2024.

 

Harbor-Front Havens: North Pacific Avenue and Beyond

 

North Pacific Avenue, east of PCH, offers waterfront living with a harbor twist—docks, sailboats, and a quieter vibe. In 2025, expect 1-3 harbor-front homes to dot the market, blending charm with accessibility.

 

3. 16550 North Pacific Avenue – The Harbor Retreat

 

• • Price: $2.8 million

• • Specs: 3 beds, 3 baths, 2,500 sq ft

• • Features: A 2015 remodel with a private dock, harbor-view deck, and open kitchen. At $1,120 per square foot, it’s a steal compared to oceanfront, with a backyard kayak launch and Bolsa Chica wetland views.

• • Appeal: Suits families or boaters, with $5,000-$7,000 monthly rentals and a 5-minute beach walk.

 

4. 16620 North Pacific Avenue – The Waterfront Family Home

 

• • Price: $3.4 million

• • Specs: 4 beds, 4 baths, 3,200 sq ft

• • Features: Built in 2000, updated in 2023, with a 30-foot dock, vaulted ceilings, and a waterside patio. Priced at $1,062 per square foot, it’s a spacious harbor gem near Linear Park.

• • Appeal: Ideal for long-term residents or investors, yielding $6,000-$8,000 monthly.

 

Harbor-front homes offer a lower entry point ($2-3.5M) than oceanfront, with appreciation steady at 4-6% annually (2025 forecast). Their dual appeal—harbor lifestyle, beach proximity—makes them versatile in a tight market.

 

Broadway’s Waterfront Edge: A sleeper Hit

 

Broadway, running perpendicular to PCH, occasionally offers waterfront-adjacent homes near North Pacific or South Pacific. While not directly ocean- or harbor-front, its proximity enhances value.

 

5. 10th & Broadway – The Coastal Connector

 

• • Price: $2.2 million

• • Specs: 3 beds, 2 baths, 2,000 sq ft

• • Features: A 1960s cottage, renovated in 2024, with peekaboo ocean views and a harbor glimpse. At $1,100 per square foot, it’s a budget-friendly waterfront play steps from both.

• • Appeal: Great for retirees or small families, with $4,000-$6,000 monthly rental potential.

 

Broadway’s $1.8-$2.5M range in 2025 offers a taste of waterfront living without the $5M+ price tag, leveraging Sunset Beach’s scarcity and charm.

 

Market Trends Shaping Availability in 2025

 

What’s available in 2025 reflects Sunset Beach’s unique dynamics:

 

• • Inventory: 2-5 total listings, with 1-2 oceanfront (South Pacific) and 1-3 harbor-front (North Pacific, Broadway-adjacent). December 2024’s two listings set the tone—expect a slight winter uptick.

• • Prices: Oceanfront at $5-7M, harbor-front at $2-3.5M, stabilizing from 2024’s $7.18M median list peak. Average values hold at $2.5-$2.7M, with $1,000-$2,100 per square foot.

• • Sales Pace: 100-150 days DOM, per December’s 122-day average, as sellers wait for cash offers (60-65% of sales).

• • Demand: Retirees, remote workers, and investors fuel demand, undeterred by rates (6.89%, potentially 6.5% by year-end). A $3M home at 6.89% with 20% down costs $15,825 monthly—cash sidesteps this.

 

California’s economic strength—unemployment below 5%, GDP growth at 2.5-3%—bolsters Orange County wealth, sustaining Sunset Beach’s market. A 4-6% appreciation forecast outpaces the state’s 4.6%, promising $3-$3.5M medians by 2030.

 

Challenges and Considerations

 

Waterfront properties come with caveats:

 

• • Environmental Risks: 43% flood risk, 99% wildfire exposure over 30 years raise insurance to $5K-$15K annually. Oceanfront homes face salt-air wear, harbor-front less so.

• • Maintenance: $10K-$30K yearly for upkeep—more for oceanfront due to weather exposure.

• • Scarcity: With 2-5 listings, buyers must act fast or wait months, a hurdle in a cash-heavy market.

Yet, resilience shines—Sunset Beach dipped 5-10% in 2022-2023 vs. California’s 9%, and waterfront values hold firm, driven by lifestyle and rarity.

 

Investment Potential: What’s the Payoff?

 

For investors, Sunset Beach waterfront properties in 2025 are a dual play:

 

• • Rentals: Oceanfront yields $8K-$12K monthly (3-4% on $5M), harbor-front $5K-$8K (3-4% on $2.5M). Vacation demand near Huntington Beach’s pier sustains this.

• • Appreciation: 18-22% growth by 2030 (CoreLogic) could turn a $3M buy into $3.6-$3.9M, a steady climb.

• • Cash Advantage: 60-65% cash sales mean quick closings—key in a low-inventory race.

Risks—insurance, maintenance—are offset by coastal premiums and rental income, making these homes a long-term win.

 

What’s Available: The 2025 Snapshot

 

In February 2025, Sunset Beach’s waterfront market offers:

 

• • Oceanfront (South Pacific): 1-2 listings, $5-7M—luxury estates with beach access (e.g., 16812, 16790 South Pacific).

• • Harbor-Front (North Pacific): 1-2 listings, $2-3.5M—dock-equipped homes near the beach (e.g., 16550, 16620 North Pacific).

• • Waterfront-Adjacent (Broadway): 0-1 listing, $1.8-$2.5M—coastal charm steps from both (e.g., 10th & Broadway).

• • Total: 2-5 homes, with waterfront dominating due to demand.

 

Expect cash buyers to scoop 60-65%, financed buyers (6.89% rates) to vie for the rest, and sellers to hold firm—100-150 days DOM reflects patience, not weakness.

 

Why It Matters in 2025

 

Sunset Beach’s waterfront properties in 2025 are more than homes—they’re lifestyle statements and investment vehicles. Oceanfront offers unmatched views and prestige, harbor-front blends boating with beach proximity, and Broadway-adjacent homes provide value with access. Scarcity keeps them exclusive—2-5 listings won’t flood the market—while $2-$7M prices underscore their worth. For buyers, it’s a now-or-never shot; for investors, a cash-fueled bet on 18-22% growth by 2030.

 

In a market where California’s coast is king, Sunset Beach’s waterfront stands tall—limited, luxurious, and timeless. Whether you’re dreaming of waves or docks, 2025’s offerings are a rare chance to own the Pacific’s edge.