Meet Maura

CA DRE# 01883774

An Emerald Bay expert and Emerald Bay resident.

Maura Short doesn't study the Emerald Bay market from the outside: she lives it. A longtime resident who has served on Emerald Bay's Board of Directors, Maura brings a level of access and community trust that can't be learned from an MLS sheet. She has represented many of the community's most notable sales, guiding buyers and sellers with the discretion this market demands.

As a Founding Agent of Compass in Orange County, Maura pairs boutique, white-glove attention with the reach of a national luxury brand. Her clients value her architectural eye, her confidentiality, and a network deep enough to move properties quietly, off-market, when discretion matters most. Her team, including Estate Director Steve Maher, also manages luxury leases and estates for owners who aren't always in town.

Whether you're buying your forever home in Emerald Bay, leasing for a season, or selling a legacy property, Maura and her team make the process precise, discreet, and genuinely personal.

Thinking of buying or selling?

Interested in selling or having your home's value assessed by an Emerald Bay expert? Get in touch with Maura.

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Emerald Bay from the air at sunset: homes on the hillsides above the beach and the cove

Emerald Bay

A residents-only community on the beautiful coast of Laguna Beach with the most beautiful exclusive half mile beach in the US.

Emerald Bay's story begins in 1906, when coastal rancher James Irvine sold 148 acres of his land. On May 6, 1929, the land was divided into lots and the Emerald Bay Community Association was formed, making it one of the oldest beach communities of its kind in Southern California.

Today roughly 500+ custom homes share a residents-only beach, six tennis courts, Swim Center, parks and a community center and our own volunteer fire station. Because the community is so small and tightly held, comparatively few homes reach the market in any given year, and many of the finest trade quietly, off-market.

About Emerald Bay

Questions

Who is Maura Short?

Maura Short is a Laguna Beach luxury real estate agent affiliated with Compass (CA DRE #01883774) specializing in Emerald Bay. She is a longtime Emerald Bay resident, a Founding Agent of Compass in Orange County, and an active community leader who has represented many of Emerald Bay's most significant home sales.

Where is Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach?

Emerald Bay is a residents-only community on the coast of North Laguna Beach, set along North Coast Highway between the village of Laguna Beach and Newport Coast. Often called part of the "California Riviera," it is one of the finest beach communities in Orange County, and arguably the most breathtaking stretch of coastline in all of Southern California.

What makes Emerald Bay so special?

Emerald Bay has a distinctly Mediterranean feel, often likened to the south of France, where extraordinary boats anchor in the bay through the summer months. It combines a residents-only crescent-shaped beach, resort-caliber amenities, and 24-hour attended entry, creating a coastal lifestyle that very few communities in California can match.

What amenities does Emerald Bay offer residents?

Emerald Bay provides extensive amenities for its residents, anchored by a crescent-shaped, half-mile beach. The community also offers beach volleyball, six professional tennis courts, a community pool and spa, and an expansive park with a clubhouse, so the families of Emerald Bay enjoy an active, resort-style lifestyle every day of the year.

Who can use the Emerald Bay beach?

The Emerald Bay beach is for residents and their guests. It is a half-mile beach reached through the community's own underground tunnel and staffed by lifeguards in the summer, which is a large part of what makes living in Emerald Bay so desirable.

How many homes are in Emerald Bay?

Emerald Bay is an intimate community of roughly 500 to 550 custom homes (commonly cited at around 526), ranging from classic beach cottages to grand Mediterranean and contemporary estates. Because the community is so small and tightly held, comparatively few homes come to market in any given year.

How is access to Emerald Bay managed?

Emerald Bay has 24-hour attended entry with residents-only access. That security is among the top reasons buyers, including many families and second-home owners, are drawn to the neighborhood.

How much do homes in Emerald Bay cost?

Emerald Bay sits at the very top of the Laguna Beach market, with a median home value recently around $7 million and estate sales ranging well into the double-digit millions. Prices vary significantly based on location within the community, ocean and Catalina Island views, beach proximity, and architectural pedigree.

Does Emerald Bay have an HOA?

Yes. Emerald Bay is governed by a homeowners association (the Emerald Bay Community Association) that maintains the beach, the entry, parks, and shared amenities, and sets architectural and rental guidelines. HOA dues reflect the community's extensive amenities and often exceed $1,000 per month, so it's worth confirming current figures for any specific home.

Can you buy an Emerald Bay home off-market?

Yes, and it happens often. Many of Emerald Bay's most desirable homes are sold quietly, off-market, before they are ever publicly listed. Working with a resident specialist like Maura Short, who has deep ties inside the community, gives buyers access to these off-market and pocket-listing opportunities first.

Can you rent or lease a home in Emerald Bay?

Yes. Emerald Bay has an active luxury lease market, from seasonal rentals to long-term leases, though availability is limited and subject to HOA guidelines. Maura Short's team has negotiated more than 100 Emerald Bay leases and can also manage a leased home on the owner's behalf.

What schools serve Emerald Bay?

Emerald Bay is served by the highly regarded Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), with El Morro Elementary located just up the coast. Buyers should verify current attendance zones and entry procedures with the district before enrolling.

Why work with an agent who specializes in Emerald Bay?

Emerald Bay is a community you have to know from the inside: its view corridors, beach access, HOA nuances, and quiet off-market sales. Maura Short is a longtime Emerald Bay resident, former community Board of Directors member, and one of its most active agents, giving her buyers and sellers guidance and access no outside agent can match.

The Emerald Bay Connection

Maura's letter from the bay, every couple of weeks since 2023.

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