I love that stretch between Laguna and Newport. It's a beautiful drive. Crystal Cove beach is one of my favorite quiet beaches to visit. A few things:
1. If you're gonna go there anyway, stop by Bear Flag Fish Company located in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center (about 1 mile south). Really great fresh fish. Love their poke.
2. If you like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, charcuterie, cheese plates, and those types of things, visit Baker & Olive at Corona Del Mar Plaza (about 2 miles north).
3. Further up at Fashion Island, there is a relatively new restaurant called True Food Kitchen. Lots of vegetarian & vegan options. And meat options.
4. That "$75 million house" was on the market for a long time. It eventually sold in 2010 for $34 million, less than half the original ask. Zillow has a current estimate at $43 million, but we all know how loose Zillow is with their estimates.
5. Assuming that the house is $43 million now, and if you somehow qualified for a 30 year mortgage with 5% interest after putting 20% down, then your mortgage payment would be $185,000 per month.