Irvine is a city where many high-income families reside, but within it, there are particularly premium villages known for their luxury homes.

Notable affluent neighborhoods in Irvine include Shady Canyon, Turtle Rock, and Quail Hill.

Shady Canyon is Irvine's most exclusive gated community. Access is only possible through a controlled gate with 24-hour security, and single-family home prices range from $3,000,000 to over $15,000,000.

With a low-density residential environment that takes advantage of the canyon terrain, each home sits on lots of 5,000 square feet to several acres. The Shady Canyon Golf Club (private membership) is located within the community, along with top-notch amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, and hiking trails.

Turtle Rock is an upscale residential area located on hilly terrain in the southwest of Irvine. Developed in the 1970s and 80s, it is one of Irvine's older prestigious villages, with single-family home prices ranging from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000.

It is close to UCI and offers the advantage of enjoying views of Orange County from the hills. It is known to be home to many UCI faculty members and high-income professionals.

Quail Hill is a gated luxury community in southern Irvine. Developed in the 2000s, it is a relatively new development with well-managed HOA and abundant amenities such as a community center, swimming pool, tennis courts, and parks.

Home prices range from $1,800,000 to $4,000,000, making it more accessible than Shady Canyon. Additionally, Newport Coast, adjacent to Irvine's borders, is considered one of Orange County's most upscale residential areas, technically not part of Irvine but included in the Irvine living area.

Single-family homes with Pacific views are priced between $5,000,000 and over $30,000,000, making it one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Orange County.