Why do Newport Beach and Laguna Beach vote so differently?

[Boobs]

Historic reasons that have continued to today because of self selection. Laguna Beach is a former artist colony, then a hippie hotspot. Generally has long had that reputation of bohemian-ness. It’s generally pretty isolated and surrounded by mountains which made it less developable as a suburb and less suitable for commuters; for a while it was more of a self-contained small town. Newport on the other hand is pretty much still on the Los Angeles basin. Early rail development connected it to LA at the turn of the century and the rest is pretty much history - a well-off, heavily white beachfront suburb in Orange County is a recipe for its long-term Republican lean; today it’s still very wealthy which is why it has remained one of the more Republican parts of Orange County.

[Boobs]

Newport meanwhile has encouraged self-selection by the 'conspicuously wealthy.' The harbor and inlets offer many waterfront properties, and the gradual elevation increase offers many more ocean-view homes. The harbor especially now offers ample space for private boats like certain parts of coastal Florida. The concentration of money has brought with it the associated stores: Fashion Island is a truly massive semi-outdoor mall built during the heydays of suburbanization, the coast highway is lined with Luxury Car dealerships, you get the idea. Even ignoring the fact that Southern California White voters are still republican overall, just usually outvoted by other groups, this is a place that attracts the more GOP-leaning new-money and pushes away the old-money.

Watch “Arrested Development” for an ethnographic comedy about Newport Beach.