Overview
Temple Hills climbs the hills just above downtown Laguna Beach, with terraced streets that deliver sweeping views over the coastline, Main Beach, and the canyons that frame town. Homes are layered up the slopes off Temple Hills Drive and its side streets, so many properties feel perched above the action while still being only a short drive from the galleries, shops, and restaurants in the Village below. The neighborhood has a distinctly local, residential feel—no hotels, no big commercial strips—just homes, mature landscaping, and plenty of viewpoints where you can see the water.
Housing & Architecture
Housing in Temple Hills is a mix of mid-century homes, remodeled cottages, contemporary rebuilds, and a handful of larger custom properties that take full advantage of the slope. Lot sizes vary street by street, but many homes are oriented to capture views with large windows, decks, and balconies. Garages are often tucked under or beside the house, and driveways can be short and steep in places, which is typical of hillside living in Laguna. Compared with ultra-exclusive enclaves like Emerald Bay, Temple Hills tends to offer a wider range of price points and styles, but view inventory is still limited and highly sought after.
Lifestyle & Vibe
Day-to-day life in Temple Hills is quieter and more residential than the streets immediately around downtown. You will see neighbors walking dogs, heading out for sunset photos, or loading surfboards into the car for a quick run down to Main Beach or one of the nearby coves. There is no real nightlife up here—that is what the Village and areas like the HIP District are for—but you are close enough that grabbing dinner in town and then coming back up the hill is easy. Evenings often revolve around the views: watching the fog roll in, lights come on along the coastline, or summer fireworks on clear nights.
Location & Commute
Temple Hills is accessed primarily from Thalia Street, Temple Hills Drive, and a network of looping side streets that climb the hillside. From most homes, you can drive down into Laguna Village and the downtown core in just a few minutes when traffic is light. For commuters heading toward Irvine or the 5 and 405 freeways, most people drop down to Coast Highway or Laguna Canyon Road and connect to the 73 toll road or surface routes. The trade-off for the views is that you will rely on a car for nearly everything, and the roads are narrow and winding, which is something to keep in mind if you are used to flat suburban streets.
Parks, Trails & Outdoors
While Temple Hills itself does not have large public parks on every corner, you are never far from open space. Trailheads in the surrounding hills connect into the South Coast Wilderness, and it is a short drive up to Alta Laguna Park and the lookout above Top of the World for bigger views, sports courts, and access into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Beach days usually mean driving down the hill to Main Beach, Thalia Street Beach, or one of the nearby pocket coves along Coast Highway.
Schools & Everyday Essentials
Temple Hills is within the Laguna Beach Unified School District, with many students attending Top of the World Elementary, Thurston Middle School, and Laguna Beach High School. There are no major shopping centers within the neighborhood itself, so residents typically handle groceries and errands in downtown Laguna, Laguna Village, or nearby cities such as Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo. If you are comfortable driving for most errands, the trade-off is coming home to a quieter, more view-focused setting at the end of the day.
Who This Neighborhood Is Best For
Temple Hills tends to appeal to buyers who value views and proximity to the Village more than strict walkability. It is a good fit for people who want the classic Laguna hillside experience—sunsets, lights over the water, and a sense of being slightly removed from the tourist energy below—without committing to the highest elevations of the city. If you are comfortable navigating steep streets, parking on a slope, and relying on your car, Temple Hills can offer a strong mix of scenery and convenience.
Things To Consider
As with other hillside neighborhoods in Laguna, Temple Hills sits in a higher fire-risk area, so insurance, defensible space, and evacuation planning matter. Streets can be narrow, with limited guest parking in places, and the driveways are not always friendly to oversized vehicles. The climb up and down the hill becomes part of everyday life, and if you strongly prefer flat streets or being able to walk to everything, you may ultimately gravitate toward neighborhoods closer to the beach or downtown. For many residents, though, the trade-offs are more than worth it for the views and the everyday connection to the coastline.