The Oldest Homes for Sale in Sunset Beach in 2025

Sunset Beach, California—a 1.5-mile coastal jewel along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Huntington Beach—holds a special allure as a sanctuary of small-town charm and coastal history. In 2025, this unincorporated enclave of roughly 1,000 residents offers a rare glimpse into California’s early beachside past through its oldest homes for sale, priced between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. These vintage treasures, dating back to the 1910s and 1920s, stand as the architectural roots of Sunset Beach, predating the surf boom of the mid-20th century and the modern luxury builds of today. For buyers—whether history buffs seeking a piece of the past, families craving coastal simplicity, or investors eyeing a unique asset—these homes blend nostalgia with substantial value. Let’s explore the oldest homes for sale in Sunset Beach in 2025—their origins, features, investment potential, and what makes them a timeless catch in this coastal haven.

 

The Dawn of Sunset Beach: A Historical Backdrop

 

Sunset Beach’s story begins in the early 1900s, when it was little more than sand dunes and salt marshes along the Pacific Electric Railway’s Newport line, running from 1906 to 1950. This rail connection from Los Angeles, 40 miles north, turned the area into a picnic and fishing spot, with lots selling for $50-$100 to speculative buyers dreaming of a seaside retreat. The 1910s and 1920s marked the birth of its earliest homes—rudimentary shacks and cottages costing $500-$1,000—built by weekenders, fishermen, and pioneers drawn to its pristine shores. These structures, often perched on Warner Avenue or near what’s now Anderson Street, laid the foundation for Sunset Beach’s coastal heritage.

 

Unlike the post-World War II surge of the 1940s-50s—when GIs built bungalows for $10,000-$30,000—or the 1980s boom that pushed values to $200,000-$400,000, these pre-1930s homes are the community’s oldest survivors. By the 1960s, they hit $50,000-$100,000, reflecting $5,000-$10,000 gains, and today—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—they command $50,000-$70,000 yearly appreciation (4-6%), outpacing Orange County’s 3-5% average. With a $100,000-$150,000 premium over inland properties, these homes are rare relics—fewer than a dozen likely remain for sale in 2025—preserved by Sunset Beach’s resistance to sprawling development and its tight 1.5-mile footprint.

 

Architectural Gems: What Defines the Oldest Homes

 

The oldest homes for sale in Sunset Beach—dating to the 1910s and 1920s—showcase early coastal styles, built for simplicity and resilience. In 2025, they’re a mix of original and renovated properties—$1.2 million inland, $1.5 million-$1.8 million oceanfront—offering distinct features:

 

• • Craftsman Cottages (1910s-1920s)
    • • Features: Low-pitched gabled roofs, exposed beams, wide porches—wood siding and handcrafted details—$5,000-$10,000 upkeep—$25,000-$50,000 charm—small footprints (1,000-1,400 sq ft)—$50,000-$75,000 value lift—$50,000 appreciation.
    • • Origins: Arts and Crafts influence—$500-$1,000 in the 1910s—$2,000-$5,000 by the 1920s—built by rail tourists and settlers—$25,000-$50,000 by the 1960s—$25,000-$50,000 charm today.
    • • 2025 Appeal: $1.2 million-$1.5 million—Warner Avenue or inland 17th Street—$25,000-$50,000 nostalgia—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$50,000 appreciation—families, retirees—$100,000-$150,000 over inland.

 

• • Beach Cottages (1920s)
    • • Features: Gabled roofs, shiplap siding, small porches—functional, rustic—$5,000-$10,000 upkeep—$25,000-$50,000 charm—1,200-1,600 sq ft—$50,000-$75,000 coastal edge—$50,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 history.
    • • Origins: Fishermen, weekenders—$2,000-$5,000 in the 1920s—$10,000-$30,000 by the 1950s—$25,000-$50,000 coastal lift—$50,000-$100,000 by the 1960s—$25,000-$50,000 rustic today.
    • • 2025 Appeal: $1.2 million-$1.5 million—17th Street near-ocean—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$50,000 appreciation—simplicity seekers—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$25,000-$50,000 heritage.

 

No mid-century here—these are pre-1930s pioneers—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—Seal Beach’s $1.5 million-$2 million bustle lags—Sunset’s oldest shine.

 

Where to Find Them: Hotspots in 2025

 

Sunset Beach’s 1.5-mile strip—tight supply—hosts its oldest homes—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—in 2025:

 

• • Warner Avenue (Inland): $1.2 million-$1.5 million—1,000-1,400 sq ft—Craftsman cottages—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000 appreciation—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 history—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—quieter, affordable.

• • 17th Street (Near-Ocean): $1.3 million-$1.6 million—1,200-1,600 sq ft—beach cottages—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000 appreciation—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 proximity—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—steps to sand.

• • Anderson Street (Oceanfront): $1.5 million-$1.8 million—1,200-1,600 sq ft—Craftsman/beach mix—$50,000-$75,000 surf—$60,000 appreciation—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$150,000-$200,000 over inland—pier views—rarest finds.

 

No Huntington sprawl—$1 million-$1.2 million—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 history—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—oldest homes cluster near the pier’s pull—1 mile north.

 

Investment Potential: History Pays Off

 

These oldest homes—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—offer robust gains in 2025—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal:

 

• • Appreciation: 4-6%—$50,000-$70,000/year—$1.4 million to $1.65 million-$1.95 million—$200,000-$400,000 equity—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

• • STR: $500-$700/night—$70,000-$90,000/year—55-60%—6-8% ROI—$25,000-$50,000 pier—$60,000 appreciation—$50,000-$70,000 STR—$25,000-$50,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$200,000-$400,000 equity—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

• • Long-Term: $4,000-$5,000/month—$48,000-$60,000—costs ($70,000)—3-5% ROI—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 history—$200,000-$400,000 equity—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

• • 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 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 history—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

 

Lifestyle: Living History Near the Pier

 

Living near Seal Beach Pier—1 mile—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—offers:

 

• • Surf: Anderson—$5 rentals—$25,000-$50,000 surf—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 history—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

• • Pier: Fishing ($5 poles)—Ruby’s ($10 meals)—$25,000-$50,000 pier—$50,000-$75,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$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.

• • Community: Turc’s ($5 beers)—Peter’s Landing—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 small-town—$25,000-$50,000 events—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

 

Buying Considerations: What to Know

 

Buying—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 charm—needs savvy:

 

• • Condition: Original—$10,000-$20,000 upkeep—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000 appreciation—Renovated—$20,000-$40,000—$75,000-$100,000 ARV—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 history—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 savings—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Inspect ($5,000-$10,000)—$25,000-$50,000 savings.

• • Flood/Erosion: $4,000-$6,000/year—$5,000-$10,000 fixes—$20,000-$50,000 risk—$50,000-$75,000 inland hedge—$60,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 buffer—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Elevation—$25,000-$50,000 savings.

• • Tips: Experts—$25,000-$50,000 savings—$50,000-$75,000 value—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—Zoning—$25,000-$50,000 compliance—$25,000-$50,000 risk cut—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$100,000-$150,000 over inland—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The oldest homes for sale in Sunset Beach—$1.2 million-$1.8 million—offer history, charm, and value—$100,000-$150,000 premium—$50,000-$70,000 appreciation—$25,000-$50,000 charm—$75,000-$100,000 coastal—$200,000-$400,000 equity—scout Warner or Anderson—live the past, gain the future—Sunset Beach’s oldest await!