Quick Facts
- Price Range
- High $500s - Low $1Ms
- Home Types
- Attached, Single-Family
- Number of Homes
- 1,350
- New/Resale
- New And Resale Homes
- Age Restrictions
- None
- Gated
- No
- Construction Dates
- 2005 - Present
- Builder
- Shea Homes
- 5 reviews
Trilogy® at Monarch Dunes Overview
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes in Nipomo, California is a luxurious active lifestyle community with an award-winning clubhouse, spectacular golf course, full-service spa, and state-of-the-art fitness center. This breathtaking community offers comfortable yet energetic resort-style living and is open to residents of all ages.
Located in beautiful Nipomo, Trilogy at Monarch Dunes is surrounded by wineries, riding stables, shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. The coast, with surfing hot spots like Pismo Beach and Avila Beach, is only 15 minutes away. Even the weather in Nipomo is an ideal 70 degrees 350 days of the year, making it the perfect location for a variety of outdoor activities. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes was formerly known as Trilogy Central Coast until they changed their name in 2010.
Update: This community now offers Virtual Livestream Events. These events include cooking classes, wine and spirits demos, fitness and wellness events, and much more. Prospective residents can even tour Trilogy at Monarch Dunes virtually if they're not able to travel to tour it physically.
To receive more information on virtual tours of Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, click here.
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes Amenities
At Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, activities begin at the 31,000 square-foot clubhouse, The Monarch Club. This award-winning facility houses a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring TechnoGym equipment, energizing fitness classes, and personal trainers. Residents can rejuvenate at the full-service Sandalwood Spa or expand their minds with a variety of classes offered through the Exploration Lounge.
Adelina's Bistro, also located in the Monarch Club, is just the spot for a lively dining out experience. The restaurant is open all day and hosts many events in addition to private dining. Residents on the go can also drop by The Market for a fresh cup of coffee or to pick up a prepared pasta dish or other goodies, provided through Adelina's Bistro.
Residents can also play a match at one of the four lighted tennis courts or the bocce ball court. There is an outdoor pool complete with a cozy fireplace for enjoying an evening with friends poolside. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes provides serene areas including a Tai Chi garden, and sculpture garden. There are also 86 acres of vineyards in the community.
Set within Trilogy, The Monarch Dunes Golf Club offers 30 holes with spectacular views and challenging play. The original 18-hole Old Course is a beautiful 7,300 yard, par-72 course, while the new 12-hole Challenge Course offers unique play with design techniques drawn from the game's origins in Scotland and Ireland.
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes Homes & Real Estate
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes began construction in 2005 and will have 1,350 homes upon completion. The single-family homes in Trilogy at Monarch Dunes are thoughtfully designed with open floor plans, spacious great rooms, functional kitchen islands, and cozy breakfast nooks. The single-family homes in Trilogy at Monarch Dunes range from 1,591 to 3,487 square feet and offer two to three bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached two- to three-car garage. There are also a select number of townhomes within the community that range from 1,623 to 2,104 square feet and offer three or four bedrooms, two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms and an attached two-car garage.
There are six collections of homes, with a total of 13 floor plans offered throughout the community. Many homes feature variations such as fireplaces, bay windows, and optional dens or extra bedrooms. Built by Shea Homes, Trilogy at Monarch Dunes single-family homes are designed with an eye toward sustainability and green living. Many features throughout Trilogy's homes help them to be more eco-friendly and energy-efficient, which is good for both residents and the environment. Other features, such as open floor plans, help create a low-maintenance lifestyle. There are a wide variety of new and resale homes available sure to suit the needs of almost any homebuyer.
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes Lifestyle
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes offers a wealth of top-notch amenities. Residents at Trilogy have many options for staying in shape, whether through a challenging round of golf, tennis or bocce, a visit to the state-of-the-art fitness center, a dip in the outdoor pool, or an invigorating hike. Additionally, the on-site Spa Coordinator at the Sandalwood Spa is ready to help residents arrange an individual massage or spa treatment.
At the Exploration Lounge, also located in the Monarch Club, residents stretch their minds with classes on a variety of subjects, including digital photography, computers, languages, history, and wine appreciation. Community social events are also hosted at the Monarch Club, and there is ample space for residents to relax together for their own impromptu or planned gatherings. For even more convenience, residents are offered free wireless Internet service throughout the Monarch Club. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes supports and active lifestyle and offers a wide variety of clubs that include book club, chess, easy riders bike group, art group, what's cooking club, and much more.
Surrounding Area
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes is in Nipomo, California, which is 45 miles north of Santa Barbara along the California coast. The community is easily accessible by either Mesa Road, off of Highway 101, or by Via Concha Road, from Highway 1. Both Pismo Beach and Avila Beach are only 15 minutes away.
The surrounding area takes full advantage of the year-round beautiful weather and offers many outdoor activities. Wineries, riding stables, camping, boating, and hiking trails are prevalent in the area. Nearby cultural attractions, such as Hearst Castle, are perfect for an afternoon outing. Antique shopping, hot springs, and historic missions are popular among residents and visiting guests, while California's Central Coast also offers an impressive variety of dining and shopping opportunities. With a wide variety of home options, world-class amenities, and a vibrant social scene, Trilogy at Monarch Dunes is an ideal active lifestyle community in Central California.
Trilogy® at Monarch Dunes Amenities
Monarch Club
The Monarch Club is the focal point of the community and provides the central gathering place for residents.
- Monarch Club - 31,000 Sq. Ft.
- Adelina's Bistro
- The Marketplace
- State-of-the-Art Fitness Center
- Grand Living Room
- Sandalwood Spa
- Art Studio
- Aerobics & Dance Studio
- Ballroom
- Computer Lab
- Wine Library & Captain's Room
- Exploration Lounge
- Outdoor Pool & Spa
- Outdoor Patio with Fireplace
- 4 Lighted Tennis Courts
- Bocce Ball Court
- Parks
- Scultpture Garden
- Tai Chi Gargen
- Playground for Grandkids
Monarch Dunes Golf Club
The Monarch Dunes Golf Club provides everything you need to have the perfect golf experience.
- Monarch Dunes Golf Club
- Men's and Women's Lock Rooms
- Butterfly Grille
- Avila Room
- 18-Hole Old Golf Course
- 12-Hole Challenge Golf Course
- Practice Driving Range & Putting Green
- Outdoor Patio
Trilogy® at Monarch Dunes Clubs, Groups, Activities & Classes
There are plenty of activities available in Trilogy® at Monarch Dunes. Here is a sample of some of the clubs, activities and classes offered here.
- 30-Minute Abs
- Art Group
- Aqua Aerobics
- Bridge Club At Trilogy
- Bridge Lessons
- Central Coast Bocce Club
- Chapter Two Book Club
- Chess
- Circuit Training
- Club 21
- Clubhouse Bunco
- Coffee Talk
- Easy Riders Bike Group
- Farmers' Market
- Fusion
- Genealogy Club
- Hiking Group
- Les Papillons Social Club
- Monday Martinis & Sliders Night
- Pilates
- Pins & Needles Club
- Poker
- Power Hour
- Scrapbook Club
- Sew & Sew Club
- Singles Club
- Step Aerobics
- Sunday Brunch
- Supper Club
- Tai Chi
- Texas Hold 'Em (T.H.E. Club)
- The Rendezvous Club
- The Shutterflies
- The What's Cooking Club
- Trilogy Art Group (TAG)
- Trilogy Service Club
- Trilogy Tennis Club
- Tuesday Margarita & Taco Night
- Wine Wednesdays
- Wisdom Circle Charter Club
- Yoga
- Zumba
Townhomes
Price Range: High $500s - Low $600s
Townhomes range in size from 1,623 to 2,104 square feet and feature three to four bedrooms, two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms and an attached two-car garage. These ideal homes offer a spacious master suite, large kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, and high ceilings.
View FloorplansLagos Collection
Price Range: High $500s - Low $600s
There are two models offered in the Lagos Collection that range in size from 1,428 to 1,565 square feet. Homes Feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.
View FloorplansCostas Collection
Price Range: High $500s - Low $700s
The Costas Collection is ideal for homebuyers who don't require excessive space and want a home at a modest price in Trilogy at Monarch Dunes. Homes in this collections range from 1,671 to 1,939 square feet and feature two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. The Monterey and Cambria floor plans are available on a resale only basis.
View Floorplans| Model Name | Sq. Ft. | Beds | Baths | Garage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey | 1671 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cambria | 1824 | 2 + Den - 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Monterey II | 1745 | 2 + Den - 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Nice | 1939 | 2 + Den | 2 | 2 |
Valles Collection
Price Range: High $500s - Low $900s
Inspired by Coastal architecture, the Valles Collection is all about giving buyers what they want. Options galore and open layouts mean you can find the perfect home to suit your lifestyle. The Lopez and Prefumo floor plans are now available on a resale only basis.
View FloorplansPlayas Collection
Price Range: High $500s - Low $1Ms
Want more space? The Playas offers four single-level and one two-story home from 2,164 to 3,209 square feet. Whether you want a quiet room for your hobbies or a large place to entertain family, the Playas Collection has something for you. Buyers will also love that most of the homes feature three-car garages.
View FloorplansCerros Collection
Price Range: Low $800s - Low $1Ms
Space and luxury define the Cerros Collection. All homes offer second floors with more room for guests. Whether you want a large home for yourself or the perfect place for the whole family, the Cerros homes will give you what you need, and then some.
View FloorplansTrilogy® at Monarch Dunes Reviews
- T J J.|November 6, 2019Trilogy at Monarch Dunes is definitely not for everyone!
However, if you decide it is for you then by all appearances it might possibly be a great experience for a lifetime, i.e., once the project is complete and Shea Homes' current leadership has vacated the scene.
Amazingly, most reviews here are fairly accurate. Particularly as relates to age, i.e., retirement versus working class; race -- Black and African Americans especially beware; sales staff -- moderate your trust and faith; Shea Mortgage -- compare elsewhere; Shea Homes boilerplate contracts -- consider having an attorney review everything before you sign, and then keep the legal service on file for future use. If you came with a realtor, fine, now still obtain legal advice, as the Realtor's loyalty is with the entity that pays them, i.e., Shea Homes.
Get everything in writing. Nothing is trivial.
Remember Ronald Reagan's famous words, "Trust, but verify!"
When things start to go sideways with sales (and things will start to go sideways with sales, before, during and after construction), upon exhausting a reasonable amount of time and effort at the local level without satisfactory resolution, forget about seeking help via Shea Homes as "Customer Service" equals "Lip Service" at the corporate level -- all about the bottom line. See legal service above.
All that said, generally speaking, as a community Trilogy at Monarch Dunes is a great place to live and becoming better and better as it expands towards completion.
Trilogy model homes are beautiful, and when built according to Shea Homes' exacting standards you will be pleased beyond your wildest dream.
Shea Homes is of course aware of its prestige and deservedly proud.
Howsoever, the problem at Trilogy at Monarch Dunes -- the root cause of nearly everything that goes wrong concerning Shea Homes -- is the sheer arrogance displayed by local senior leadership attributable to product quality, and worse, the impertinent business and operating culture created top-down.
At one point our salesperson actually had the unmitigated gall to say nonchalantly and quite unabashedly, "...it's okay, you don't have to buy from us, we don't mind one way or the other!" At another early point concerning clarification of a critical sales issue, and without first checking with supervision, "...management doesn't want to talk to you!" True and accurate quotes.
We believe, as was mentioned in an earlier review, the challenge is due in part to the young sales staff, uninhibited by likewise petty, immature and incompetent senior leadership.
In addition to an obvious lack of "Customer Relationship" and "Diversity" management knowledge and skill (particularly regarding age and race); the organization exhibits a "first time home buyer mentality” and attempts to use these sorts of tactics when dealing with usually more experienced home buyers.
Furthermore, don't be lulled by well-meaning "Resident Ambassadors". Although marketed as a 55-Plus community, you should not anticipate being recognized or respected accordingly. Of course, then, you should also feel comfortable reciprocating correspondingly.
In our case, recognizing the signs we mostly ignored our sales representative, eventually coming to realize that the person was also ignorant about most things concerning the community and simple-basic Shea Homes' building and construction standards.
For Black and African Americans: Armed with this knowledge and as conscientious consumers having decided to move to Monarch Dunes (likely over 55 and retired), you have likewise contemplated the demographics of the local community and San Luis Obispo County. Consequently, having confronted racial prejudice over your lifetime, i.e., stereotyping and discrimination, in particular, just prepare for status quo within Trilogy and the surrounding community.
Although, frankly, once you have made the leap you will find there are many more absolutely great and wonderful people living at Monarch Dunes.
All about attitude -- yours and your neighbor.
"Forewarned is Forearmed"
Good Luck! - Art and Jamie |February 26, 2015We've looked at retirement locations throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. Monarch Dunes was the first place that we both unequivocally agreed on. This is a spectacular place, with consistent great weather (if you like it sunny and 70 almost every day), very friendly community, fantastic amenities, golf course, club house, restaurant, spa, etc.
- Sandi and Michael (Resident/Homeowner)|February 26, 2015We have been here one year and it was definitely the best decision for us! We chose a townhome as we travel a lot and wanted the flexibility of low maintenance ! The amenities are lovely and our friends and neighbors are smart, engaging seniors for the most part. Lovely place to live!
- Tom & Judy (Resident/Homeowner)|October 23, 2014After retiring early, we were looking for a place to live in retirement, down-size at least a bit, and escape the high utility and maintenance costs associated with our SF Bay Area home. We decided that the ideal place would have an good climate year-round, high quality new homes, a great health club and other facilities, and it should still be in the process of being built so that other new people in similar circumstances would be moving in all the time.
We looked at or at least considered places in Florida, Indio, Las Vegas, Orange County, Santa Rosa, Pleasanton, the midwest, and Phoenix. We loved the quality of all the Trilogy properties we saw, so we started focusing on Trilogy as our first choice. Of all the Trilogy properties we considered, Monarch Dunes was by far the best choice because of the combination of a perfect climate and great facilities. We sold our house and moved down here in July, renting a house in Trilogy while our new house was being built. Our new Trilogy house is now finished, and it is great. This is the friendliest place we have ever lived. - Susan L.(Resident/Homeowner)|May 23, 2013From our very first visit here we were completely sold. I could go on and on all day about how beautiful everything is, the clubhouse, the pool, did I mention the views. This place has the WOW factor! The homes are a bit pricey but in my opinion, the location and quality are well worth it. We're not retired yet so we don't have as much time as we want to use all the fantastic amenities but we're looking forward to spending our retirement years here.
Susan & Bob
Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?
Financing is the difference!
Get the details in The 62+ Loan™ Homebuyer's Guide.
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