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Orange County’s luxury homes market continues to be a magnet for high-net-worth buyers, with yet another big-ticket residence taken off the market at a record-setting price.
A four-bedroom, six-bathroom home at 63 Monarch Bay Drive in Dana Point sold for $34 million on May 27. The sales price is a new record for Dana Point.
Retired investment manager Gordy Crawford and his wife, Dona, originally bought 63 Monarch Bay Drive as a brand-new house in 2022, paying $33 million for the property and, according to the agents, setting a local record at the time.
The buyer was not disclosed, but Compass’ Samantha Nugent, one of the seller’s agents, said the new owner has local ties.
“South OC is getting the attention it deserves,” Nugent told the Business Journal. “It’s becoming a luxury destination.”
Orange County, in general, has seen a lot of activity with luxury home sales, with several sales records set within the first five months of 2025.
An estate at 1 Pelican Crest Drive in Newport Coast sold for $42 million last month, the current high price for a house sold in Orange County this year.
In second place was the sale of 9 Pelicans Drive, also in Newport Coast, for $37 million. That home was atop the 2025 leaderboard prior to the sale of 1 Pelican Crest Drive.
The sale of 21 Stand Beach Drive in Dana Point changed hands for $28 million earlier this year. It was Dana Point’s most expensive residential transaction for 2025 until the sale of 63 Monarch Bay Drive.
Also setting records this year were 2201 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, and 7 Searidge, Laguna Niguel.
2201 Bayside Drive set a Corona del Mar record with its $26 million sticker, while 7 Searidge set the Laguna Niguel high watermark when it sold for $16.3 million.
“Despite uncertainty in the market, the luxury market remains strong. Serious buyers are out there and for the right property, they are making moves,” Nugent told the Business Journal. “We had a lot of activity with this listing. Quality is everything. We had the best view and the best home.”
Dana Point Living
The 7,717-square-foot house at 63 Monarch Bay Drive is part of a private, oceanfront neighborhood on the Dana Point coast known as Monarch Bay. The neighborhood features ocean views and access to Monarch Bay Beach Club, a social waterfront venue managed by Waldorf Astoria.
The two-level beachfront house at 63 Monarch Bay Drive was built on 0.39 acres in 2022. Amenities include a home office, pool, spa, tennis court and outdoor grill.
The property was co-listed by Todd Davis of Compass, with Phillip Caruso and Michael Caruso of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California representing the buyer.
The Carusos were also agents on the sale of 7 Searidge, the most expensive home sold in Laguna Niguel.
The Crawford Connection
Crawford might be a retired investment manager, but he also made contributions to the Olympic movement. He currently serves as chairman of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation and played a role in LA’s bid for the 2024 Games.
Two LA28 events—surfing and indoor volleyball—are scheduled to take place in San Clemente and Anaheim.
Crawford spent 41 years at Los Angeles-based Capital Group, a money management firm with nearly $1.5 trillion in assets under management; it also has significant operations in Irvine. He oversaw the firm’s investments in Comcast, DirecTV, News Corp. and Time Warner.