ORANGE COUNTY
County Offices
12 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana 714-834-2500
www.ocgov.com
Chamber of Commerce
27758 Santa Margarita Parkway
Mission Viejo 949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
Services
Newcomers to Orange County can look forward to some of the most sophisticated and highly developed services in the nation, from leading research and healthcare institutions to renowned colleges and universities. With exceptional public and private colleges and universities scattered throughout the region, the opportunities available to Orange County residents seeking a higher education are virtually without limit. Choices close to home range from the prestigious University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) to the cluster of Claremont Colleges in Pomona. Irvine is home to a campus for the University of California, while Fullerton offers a campus for California State University.
Among the private colleges in Orange County are Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Hope International University in Fullerton, Concordia University in Irvine, and Santa Ana’s California Coast University or William Howard Taft University. Even on the primary and secondary levels, public school districts provide award-winning programs, dedicated staff members, innovative programs for the gifted and challenged, and a myriad of extra-curricular activities.
Throughout the region are numerous private, general and specialized clinics that combine with physicians and surgeons in every specialty to meet a full range of healthcare needs. From acute-care hospitals to educational programs and fitness or nutrition programs, the right facility is sure to be available in or near Orange County. Leading Institutions like the University of California-Irvine (UCI) Medical Center set the benchmark for state-of-the-art healthcare services. UCI Medical Center is consistently recognized for excellence, ranking as one of America’s top hospitals in the annual listing by US News & World Report.
Whether at work or play, Orange County residents can take advantage of Southern California’s network of transportation options, from interstate highways and freeways to Metrolink passenger rail and extensive bus service. International airports are available in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Ontario; although Orange County boasts a local, full-service airport in Santa Ana, the John Wayne Airport.
Quality of Life
With miles of sun-drenched coastline and beautiful beach communities complementing inland urban development, Orange County offers a diversity of lifestyles and environments. A truly delightful climate supports year-round activity and outdoor enjoyment, encouraging everything from water sports and boating to hiking, jogging, skating, biking, tennis, golf, horseback riding, off-roading, camping, and extreme sports such as hang gliding, bungee jumping or parasailing. For weekend getaways, residents can enjoy the pristine desert environment of resort towns like Palm Springs, the alpine beauty of Big Bear, or the pine-clad splendor of four national forests.
Aficionados of the arts will discover a full and exciting calendar of events and performances that include world-class theatre, ballet, opera, and orchestra. Close to home are intimate venues and cultural organizations that continually support and reward artistic expression. The Orange County Performing Arts Center is distinguished as one of America’s leading presenters of nationally and internationally famous performing artists and companies. Annual events throughout Southern California attract thousands to extravaganzas of great food and live entertainment, from the Parade of the Roses to coastal celebrations in welcoming communities like Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and San Juan Capistrano.
Whether you choose to settle in a vibrant coastal city, a growing master-planned community or a bustling urban center, the natural beauty and enviable lifestyle of this vast area guarantee a high quality of life. Available housing ranges from seaside bungalows to high-rise condominiums, established tract neighborhoods, new construction, equestrian properties, and elegant country manors with superb views. Throughout the region, California’s golden sunshine and the friendliness of your new neighbors will add to the undeniable attraction that keeps Orange County at the forefront of the nation’s most popular places to live, work and play.
Aliso Viejo
Municipal Offices
949-425-2500
www.cityofalisoviejo.com
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
This rapidly growing, master-planned, unincorporated community has continued to expand, incorporating in 2001 as one of Southern California’s newest cities. Residents have a wide variety of quality housing options from townhouses and condominiums to single-family homes in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges. The homes range from pleasingly modest to more luxurious models, and many feature stucco and tile roofs. Some are built on hills and mesas for exceptional views. Residents of Aliso Viejo are firmly committed to the values of a quality education on all levels. To keep pace with the rapidly growing population, many new schools were constructed throughout the 1990s.
The 4,400-acre Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park offers scenic canyons, rock formations, a fresh water marsh, more than 90 species of birds, and miles of trails for hiking and biking. The park also offers a Museum of Natural History. Recreational opportunities close to home are being expanded in the form of over 20 smaller parks that offer a variety of amenities and sports facilities. For golf enthusiasts, there’ a 27-hole public golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Another new facility is the Aliso Viejo Resort with its 400-room hotel and conference center. Aliso Viejo Arts on the Green sponsors community concerts that entertain residents during the warm summer months at Grand Park as well as the lovely Aliso Viejo Town Center Amphitheater. Those who appreciate the arts can enjoy concerts and performances by the symphony and ballet conservatory.
Anaheim
Municipal Offices
714-765-4311
www.anaheim.net
Chamber of Commerce
714-758-0222
www.anaheimchamber.org
Anaheim, which literally means, “home by the Santa Ana River,” was originally settled in the mid-1800s by German immigrants who used the fertile river valley to plant highly successful vineyards. The citrus groves that sprung up later gave Orange County its name. However, this rural legacy was all transformed in the 1950s when Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom theme park was completed and the city became a worldwide tourist mecca almost overnight. Since then, the city has welcomed a constant flood of both domestic and international travelers that has never abated. Other amusement centers have sprung up in this beautiful area, taking advantage of the tourist trade and adding to the options for vacationers.
Disneyland, which employs about 10,000 people, attracts as many as 13 to 14 million visitors per year. A renovated Convention Center combines with wonderful hotels and restaurants to boost an already flourishing hospitality industry. Other attractions to Anaheim include professional sports teams like the California Angels, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Ducks. Housing options encompass a wide range of architectural styles, from pink stucco and townhomes to large, upscale estates nestled in gated communities. The local community recognizes three distinct areas, east Anaheim, downtown, and the flatland neighborhoods. Although a few buildings and hotels downtown are high rises, most structures are less than two stories. The city’s school system is large, well respected, and continuously expanding to meet student demand.
Brea
Municipal Offices
714-990-7600
www.ci.brea.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
714-529-3660
www.breachamber.com
Named after the Spanish word for tar, the city enjoyed an oil boom in the early 1900s. Today, Brea is experiencing a whole new explosion of industrial, retail, commercial, and residential growth and activity. Attracting regional customers, the expansive, 99-acre Brea Shopping Mall integrates major department store anchors with almost 200 shops and restaurants. The city maintains outstanding recreational amenities that include an abundance of first-rate parks with sports and exercise facilities and three public golf courses.
This environmentally friendly, pleasant city promotes recycling, enforces strict standards for the maintenance of public areas, and demonstrates a true affinity for the arts. The Civic and Cultural Center includes an art gallery, a television studio, and a 199-seat theater. In addition, the Brea’s Art in Public Places program makes it possible to view over a hundred pieces of artwork throughout the city. Newcomers will find that Brea values education as a community, and students who attend the local schools consistently score above the 90th percentile in both national and statewide achievement tests. Housing runs the full range of selections from quiet, tree-shaded neighborhoods to modern single-family developments and handsome multi-family enclaves that include condominiums, luxury apartments, and townhouses.
Buena Park
Municipal Offices
714-562-3500
www.buenapark.com
Chamber of Commerce
714-871-3100
www.nocchamber.com
A mecca of tourist attractions, Buena Park offers everything from amusement parks to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The city’s location as the gateway to Anaheim and Disneyland has encouraged the abundance of quality attractions and elevated tourism as a major form of revenue. In fact, Buena Park touts itself as offering more family entertainment than any other city in California, with six major tourist attractions located within walking distance of each other. Included within the city limits are Knott’ Berry Farm, featuring wild rides that include a 4,533-foot-long wooden roller coaster; as well as the Movieland Wax Museum with its amazingly lifelike wax sculptures of 270 stars. Buena Park is also home to Extravaganza, a Wild Bill’s Western themed restaurant. Sword fights and jousting matches draw visitors to the colorful Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.
Buena Park became an official city in 1887 but only experienced rapid growth within the last few decades. The community offers an attractive middle-class atmosphere of neat, well-kept landscaping and attractive homes. The middle of the city, which is traversed by two freeways, is home to the majority of the apartments and multi-family complexes. In addition to a quality public school system, the community offers the alternative of a private education in the local parochial school.
Corona del Mar
Newport Beach Offices
949-644-3309
www.newportbeachca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
949-673-4050
www.cdmchamber.com
Nestled along a bluff at the southern end of Newport Beach, the idyllic community of Corona del Mar was appropriately named for the Spanish term meaning “crown of the sea.” This enchanting community fronts the Pacific Ocean, offering a water-sport paradise at the foot of the San Joaquin Hills. Some of Orange County’s most prestigious neighborhoods are tucked away in this panoramic area. Newcomers will find an upscale atmosphere in a delightful seaside village that includes a unique selection of shopping, restaurants, services, and retail fashions. John Wayne Airport is only four miles from Corona del Mar, and the community provides easy access to the world-class attractions in metropolitan Los Angeles.
Costa Mesa
Municipal Offices
714-754-5000
www.costamesaca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
714-885-9090
www.costamesachamber.com
Nestled between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, the town of Costa Mesa is home to a number of excellent facilities and attractions. The Orange County Performing Arts Center includes an elegant, 3,000-seat performance hall that invites residents to enjoy musicals, opera, symphony, and ballet. Other dominant features include Orange Coast College, Vanguard University, Orange County Fairgrounds, several golf courses, about two dozen parks, an excellent public school system, John Wayne Airport, and the South Coast Plaza Mall. Along with the fairgrounds comes the annual extravaganza of the county fair with its popular fish fry, colorful parade, jazz festival, and top-name entertainment.
Everything from superb transportation facilities to first-rate retail districts make this a well-balanced and highly desirable community. The apartments, homes, and condominiums that are nestled in quiet, tree-shaded neighborhoods present a predominantly middle-class setting. However, interspersed into the cityscape are a few enclaves of luxurious, upscale homes. With efficient highways and interstates running through Costa Mesa, travel is always convenient. The community’ ideal location in close proximity to the ocean ensures cooling summertime breezes. It also encourages an abundance of water sports and recreational options that include boating, sailing, swimming, and deep-sea fishing.
Coto De Caza
County Offices
714-834-2500
www.ocgov.com
Community Information
www.orangecounty.net/cities/cotodecaza.html
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
This master-planned, gated, and unincorporated community lies in a secluded valley filled with trees and meadows, framed by hillsides and alpine peaks. Many of the homes that climb the scenic hills provide amazing vistas. The homes are primarily new, and many of the residential enclaves have the added privacy of a guard-gated community atmosphere. Just beyond the city gates is a new elementary school within the Capistrano Unified School District.
The community’s outstanding Equestrian Center with miles of trails and exceptional facilities was the site of the 1984 Olympic modern pentathlon. The Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park provides hiking and biking trails among scenic Oak and Sycamore groves. The list of other amenities ranges from private clubs to a sports and recreation park with playing fields and open space.
Cypress
Municipal Offices
714-229-6700
www.cypressca.org
Chamber of Commerce
714-827-2430
www.cypresschamber.org
This residential, middle-class community is dominated by three- and four- bedroom homes that are punctuated by larger models with as many as five bedrooms or more. Many are two stories and feature two-car garages. Both private and public education are emphasized in the community, which not only offers quality schools but also the largest community college in Southern California. Cypress Community College boasts an enrollment over 15,000.
The rural lifestyles of the past have long given way to the conveniences and progress of urban living. Although the city’s principal industries were once sugar and dairy farming, today’s business parks feature worldwide Japanese giants such as Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Electric, Fuji, Panasonic, Yamaha, Sony, and Minolta. Recreational amenities include the Los Alamitos Race Course, more than a dozen parks, golf courses, and many private clubs for golf, tennis, swimming, and racquetball.
Dana Point
Municipal Offices
949-248-3500
www.danapoint.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-496-1555
www.danapointchamber.com
This charming seaport community and resort offers wonderful beaches for swimmers, surfers and snorkelers. The panoramic Dana Point Harbor encompasses boating facilities, the scenic fishing pier, fine restaurants, and quaint shops. The famous Dana Point Harbor Festival of Whales, held for two weeks in February, draws about 100,000 visitors. The celebration provides an outstanding opportunity to witness the magnificent California gray whales on their annual migration up the coast from Baja, California. The local Orange County Marine Institute is acclaimed for its strong educational programs that revolve around promoting knowledge and respect for the ocean environment.
Most of the housing in this area is upscale, prestigious, and expanding every year. The privacy of luxurious, gated subdivisions dominate the oceanside area. However, a pleasing mix of older, modest housing is also available further into the mainland. In some cases, homes climb the steep cliffs that overlook the sea to offer exceptional views of the harbor area. Dana Point is included in the highly respected Capistrano Unified School District, where students rank among the 80th and 90th percentiles.
Fountain Valley
Municipal Offices
714-593-4400
www.fountainvalley.org
Chamber of Commerce
714-962-3822
www.fvchamber.com
Incorporated as a city in 1957, Fountain Valley derived its name from the abundance of artesian wells in the area. Today, this planned community enjoys clean, well-kept neighborhoods of attractive homes. The atmosphere along the city’ tree-clad streets ranges from middle-class to upscale. Architectural styles and price ranges vary, although four-bedroom homes seem to be the most popular. The city boasts a number of fine parks and recreational facilities. In fact, Mile Square Park is one of the largest regional parks in Southern California, complete with a golf course, recreational center, tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, picnic areas, and bike trails.
The school system is diverse and innovative, offering special programs and educational day care from 6 AM to 6 PM. The major institutions of higher education within a short drive from home include California State University-Long Beach, California State University-Fullerton, and the University of California at Irvine. Cultural attractions are prolific in Orange County and throughout the greater Los Angeles region, including theatre, opera, dance, and symphony.
Fullerton
Municipal Offices
714-738-6300
www.ci.fullerton.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
714-871-3100
www.nocchamber.com
In spite of the fact that Fullerton has grown and expanded to assume a significant place as the fifth-largest city in Orange County, the city has managed to retain the ambiance of a much smaller community. All the warmth and friendliness of a small town prevails, complete with quiet, close-knit neighborhoods. Many smaller and more affordable two- and three-bedroom homes from the 1950s and 1960s are graced by lots that are well-manicured and punctuated by large old trees and lush greenery. The more affluent and newer neighborhoods of executive and luxury homes offer even more impressive settings.
Newcomers will find a wealth of restaurants, antique dealers, and small neighborhood shops that serve the needs of local residents as well as visitors. Recreational and cultural amenities are surprisingly rich and abundant, including opera, symphony, art galleries, libraries, museums; and a multitude of lush, well-equipped parks.
The economy is robust. Hughes Aircraft, Kimberly Clark, Hewlett Packard, and Hunt Wesson are just a few of the primary employers that are at home in the city. In addition to a quality public school system, the community is home to premier institutions of higher education. Western State College of Law, Fullerton College, and California State University are all within the city limits.
Garden Grove
Municipal Offices
714-741-5000
www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
714-638-7950
www.gardengrovechamber.com
A friendly, spirited and balanced community rich in diversity, Garden Grove maintains a progressive view to the future. The prevailing attitude is evident in the motto, “City of Youth and Ambition.” One of the principal attractions in Garden Grove is the impressive Crystal Cathedral, built in 1980. This suburban city also boasts a symphony orchestra and a wide range of annual celebrations like the Strawberry Festival, the Vietnamese Festival, the Korean Festival, and the Shakespearean Festival. With its abundance of prime attractions, celebrations, and yearly festivities, Garden Grove has grown into an important destination for tourists, attracting several million visitors per year.
Housing options throughout the community tend to be diverse, from moderately priced, multi-family complexes to the stately mansions and elegant estates in guard-gated communities. Dominating the scene are three-bedroom homes graced by well-manicured lawns and hedges. In addition to renovation in the downtown district, new development is evident along Harbor Boulevard and Riverwalk. The latter area boasts a beautiful movie complex and fine hotels on 53 acres. Residents have the advantage of convenient access to major freeways around town. Garden Grove Unified School District is the second largest in Orange County. Higher education opportunities include three community colleges and eight universities within a short drive of Garden Grove.
Huntington Beach
Municipal Offices
714-536-5511
https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
714-536-8888
http://hbchamber.com
Located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, Huntington Beach is now ranked as the third largest city in Orange County. The 8.5-mile stretch of beach in the community is one of the most popular in all of Southern California, and its surf has helped earn the city the local nickname of “Surf City.”One of the main attractions is Huntington Beach Pier—1,856-foot concrete pier that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Residents enjoy a seaside location that includes easy access to the finest cultural and educational advantages in Orange County and greater Los Angeles.
Other recreational amenities include 50 smaller parks, and a 250-acre Central Park that includes lakes, a nature center, and an equestrian center. A wide variety of housing options are available, from single- family homes, condos and townhouses to plush waterfront communities. Public educational opportunities abound in 28 elementary schools and four high schools. In recent years, the downtown has been redeveloped with new restaurants, shops, and hotels. Huntington Beach had its genesis as an oil town, and oil is still flowing from three pumps. Boeing is one of the largest employers in Orange County, with a plant employing approximately 8,000 people.
Irvine
Municipal Offices
949-724-6000
www.cityofirvine.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-660-9112
www.irvinechamber.com
Incorporated as a city in 1971, Irvine is distinguished as the nation’s largest and most successful planned community. This pleasant, modern city offers a primarily middle-class atmosphere and a wide variety of attractive housing from apartments to condos to single-family homes. Although the city mixes dwellings of all types, it retains the title of a “master-planned” community. The significance of this designation is advanced planning for parks, main roads, schools, and business sites to meet the community’s needs.
The University of California, Irvine, is ranked one of the nation’s top 50 research universities and includes a $150 million research facility. It also offers classes to the public. The students at Irvine Unified schools typically have academic rankings in the 80th and 90th percentiles. A new $58 million high school, Northwood, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Other amenities in Irvine include wonderful restaurants, nightclubs, libraries, golf courses, and shopping plazas. John Wayne airport borders one side of town and El Toro Marine Base is located on the other. Irvine residents enjoy close proximity to a number of major freeways.
La Habra
Municipal Offices
562-383-4000
https://www.lahabracity.com/
Chamber of Commerce
562-697-1704
http://www.lahabrachamber.com/
With a name that means “pass through the hills,” La Habra is proud of its Spanish heritage and has managed to maintain much of its ambiance. This city at the north of Orange County was originally home of citrus, avocado, and walnut groves until the 1960s when its complexion shifted to residential and commercial. Newcomers will discover a warm and relaxed community with a predominance of three-bedroom homes that were primarily built in the decades from 1950 through 1970. Neighborhoods are friendly and neatly landscaped with mature greenery.
Community’s highlights include a children’s hands-on museum and the La Habra Depot Theater. The latter is located in a 1923 railroad depot and presents six productions a year. Residents enjoy the recreational amenities provided by 18 parks, a golf course, and an annual corn festival that serves over 100,000 ears of corn to locals and visitors alike. The La Habra City School District includes two high schools and a new primary school that opened in the late ’90s..
La Palma
Municipal Offices
714-690-3300
www.cityoflapalma.org
Chamber of Commerce
562-697-1704
http://www.lahabrachamber.com/
It was once the home of dairy farms, but now this small community features an abundance of single-family homes. In fact, the multi-family housing options are relatively slim, including only a handful of condominiums and two apartment buildings. Neatly landscaped lots predominate, and four-bedroom homes are the most common style. In addition to Orange County’s myriad of exceptional recreational opportunities, the community offers its residents a unique celebration each November known simply as La Palma Days.
This quiet community enjoys a low volume of traffic, adding to the atmosphere of picturesque serenity. Residents enjoy the convenience of a local library, community center, and self-contained public school district with a high school, junior high, and three elementary schools. Exemplifying the cooperative and civic-minded spirit that prevails throughout the town, the words of John F. Kennedy are inscribed on the exterior of the local high school: “ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
Laguna Beach
Municipal Offices
949-497-3311
www.lagunabeachcity.net
Chamber of Commerce
949-494-1018
www.lagunabeachchamber.org
This beach community and artist’s colony features seven miles of beautiful city beaches that attract about three million visitors each year. Many of these visitors flock to the city during the summer months when art festivals and the Pageant of Masters are held. The downtown area is quaint, lined with many small shops and art galleries. Other highlights include an art museum and the Art Institute of Southern California, an opera league, ballet group, and chamber music. Those who appreciate the great outdoors will find abundant hiking and horse trails.
Most homes along the hills and canyons are two and three bedrooms that range from modest to more luxurious. The estates and manors in the affluent Cove and Three Arch Bay areas carry price tags of seven figures and are isolated behind guarded gates. Family oriented and friendly, Laguna Beach maintains a school system where students consistently reach impressive levels of academic success and earn high test scores.
Laguna Hills
Municipal Offices
949-707-2600
www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
This upscale and attractive town, formerly known as a retirement community, still retains a quiet and peaceful atmosphere in spite of the population influx. Leisure World, a famous retirement community that serves as home to 23,000 retirees, includes such outstanding amenities as swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and riding trails. As younger, more professional residents are moving to the area, they are occupying the well-kept and smaller houses that were primarily built in the 1960s and 1970s. A sense of community pride is evident in the beautifully landscaped lots and neat homes shaded by large trees.
A regional mall is located near the freeway, complete with 80 shops, a variety of eateries, several leading department store anchors, theaters, and restaurants. Healthcare needs can be met close to home at the Saddleback Community Hospital, located near the Laguna Hills Mall. A new community center provides outstanding sports and recreational amenities.
Laguna Niguel
Municipal Offices
949-362-4300
www.cityoflagunaniguel.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-363-0136
www.lnchamber.com
This peaceful and serene seaside town is situated between the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego —an ideal location that combines convenience with natural beauty. Saddleback College is located near the community, providing opportunities for college track programs, vocational training, two-year degrees, and certifications. At the same time, the University of California-Irvine is just a 20-minute commute from home. As one of Southern California’s newer master-planned communities, Laguna Niguel boasts an enviable selection of modern housing along its hills that offer magnificent ocean views. An abundance of rolling green hills, large trees, and shrubs grace this country residential area.
Approximately one quarter of the single-family homes offer at least four bedrooms. Homesites tend to be very well maintained with meticulous landscaping and a clean, modern look. Most of the available housing was constructed during the 1980s. Recreational amenities include over 25 parks and miles of trails for hiking or horseback riding. The 42-acre Crown Valley Community Park offers first-rate facilities that include a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, picnic areas, and a 19,000-square-foot gymnasium. Those who appreciate the outdoors will want to visit the Laguna Niguel Regional Park with its 43-acre fishing lake.
Lake Forest
Municipal Offices
949-461-3400
www.lakeforestca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
Best described as state-of-the-art California suburban living, Lake Forest is home to many young families who enjoy the fast-growing, well-planned community. It was incorporated as a city in 1991, but was once home to acres of citrus and other agricultural products. Today, residents live among rolling hills, lakes, and stands of eucalyptus. Over 80 percent of the homes, condos, and apartments were built in the last 25 to 30 years, giving the community a modern, pleasing appearance. The construction of upscale new subdivisions continues today.
High-tech complexes, offices and major corporations surround the area for a diversity of options for employment close to home. Recreational amenities within a short drive are equally prolific, from amusement parks to fine restaurants, shopping malls, parks, sports fields, museums, and oceanside water sports. Lake Forest residents enjoy the best of all worlds, combining a quiet atmosphere with first-rate services and amenities.
Los Alamitos
Municipal Offices
562-431-3538
http://cityoflosalamitos.org
Chamber of Commerce
562-598-6659
www.losalchamber.org
Named after the small cottonwood trees that punctuate the community, Los Alamitos is often the residential choice of business professionals working in Los Angeles. This small-town community offers a middle-class atmosphere in close proximity to three major freeways. Characterized as a young and vital community, Los Alamitos is home to a vibrant, youthful population where 30 percent are under age 18.
Housing is varied, from the appeal of modest, well-maintained one- and two-story houses to newer construction in two-story styling with garages that accommodate at least two cars. More than half of the current housing was built in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the styles of that era. Other outstanding features in the Los Alamitos area include the Armed Forces Reserve Center, three parks, a community center, and a youth center. Residents enjoy easy access to libraries, movie theaters, and golf courses. The city honors its birthday every year by holding the annual Los Alamitos Marathon.
Mission Viejo
Municipal Offices
949-470-3052
http://cityofmissionviejo.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
Located in the 10,000 acres of Saddleback Valley, Mission Viejo was incorporated in 1987. This lovely community has managed to attract a significant number of commuters to Los Angeles employment centers, drawn by the rare mix of a pleasing design, scenic miles of bike paths, gentle hills and valleys, and first-rate shopping centers. Homes in Mission Viejo range from one-bedroom apartments to mansions, with three-bedroom models the most plentiful.
Boaters and fishermen alike are found on the waters of the 124-acre lake, which is open to Mission Viejo homeowners and guests. Attesting to the peaceful nature of the community, evening walkers and joggers are common among the trails throughout town. Other amenities include tennis courts, golf courses, an equestrian center, and a bowling complex. In 1984, Mission Viejo was the site of the Olympic cross-country bicycle race. The city also offers many restaurants, delis, shops, and the convenience of a local hospital. Saddleback College is nearby, while the University of California at Irvine is just 20 minutes away.
Newport Beach
Municipal Offices
949-644-3309
www.newportbeachca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
949-729-4400
www.newportbeach.com
This premier oceanside retreat offers golfing, world-class shopping, and yachting. It also claims a busy small boat harbor that was built around Newport Bay—the morning site for 10,000 boats and one of the West Coast’s largest recreational harbors. Another community focal point is the very impressive Newport Center, a 600-acre business complex that employs 13,000 people in its 800 companies, retail shops, services, and financial institutions.
The prestigious Newport Beach is home to many celebrities and tends to attract successful business people who live in exclusive neighborhoods. Two- and three-bedroom homes are also popular, along with many cottages, beach houses, condos, and apartments. John Wayne Airport is conveniently located to the north.
The open-air Fashion Island Mall is close to many office buildings. Fine hotels, first-rate restaurants, and wonderful boutiques are also plentiful. Diverse outdoor activities include three golf courses, a park and ecological preserve, beaches, and water sports. Visitors flock to the Pacific View Memorial Park as the final resting place of “The Duke” himself—John Wayne.
Orange
Municipal Offices
714-744-2225
www.cityoforange.org
Chamber of Commerce
714-538-3581
www.orangechamber.org
The city of Orange is a balanced combination of yesterday’s charm and today’s progress. Newcomers can readily see the town’s colorful past preserved in the square-mile of Old Towne Orange—National Landmark. At the same time, city planners continue to refine, grow, and develop the community. When the rural community of Orange was first incorporated into a city, orchards prevailed as far as the eye could see. The population explosion that began in the ‘60s continued through the 1980s. The result is a pleasing housing mix that harmonizes bungalows and quaint Victorians with single-story, three-bedroom homes graced by well-maintained lawns. Occasionally, a prestigious luxury home punctuates the streetscape.
Downtown is easily accessible from the freeway and the city’s Metrolink makes traveling easy. Restaurants, antique shops, and specialty shops are varied and plentiful in the downtown district. Other hallmarks of progress include the UC-Irvine Medical Center and many office buildings. The Block at Orange, a recently constructed outdoor shopping mall, also offers a 30-theater cinema. A private law school, Chapman University, is just north of city hall downtown.
Placentia
Municipal Offices
714-993-8117
www.placentia.org
Chamber of Commerce
714-528-1873
www.placentiachamber.com
This beautiful city lives up to its name, which was derived from a Spanish word meaning “pleasant place to live.” It was first settled by farmers who used the fertile land to grow citrus, walnuts, avocados, and grapes. Later, it became the center of Valencia orange growing and packing industries. The city was dominated by phenomenal growth, transition and expansion during the last half of the 20th century. Even today the city continues to add new residential developments and amenities, boasting some of the finest recreational amenities in the area. The Tri-City Park encompasses 40 acres and features a man-made lake. Other attractions include two golf courses and an abundance of beautiful parks.
The city was also the first in Orange County to garner the All-American City Award, which symbolizes the city’s participation in the solutions of community problems. This upscale family town offers a pleasing selection of many three- and four-bedroom homes, although the older homes tend to be smaller. Neighborhoods reflect the civic pride and careful attention of property owners. Many families are drawn to the city for its fine housing selection and exceptional amenities. The accent in Placentia is definitely on the youth: 26 percent of the residents are under the age of 18.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Municipal Offices
949-635-1800
www.cityofrsm.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
This master-planned community nestled in Saddleback Mountain Valley was only recently incorporated, a testimony to its immediate popularity and rapid growth. Upon completion in 2005, Rancho Santa Margarita should offer homes for up to 50,000 residents and provide 26,000 jobs in commercial and business sites. Planners have carefully laid out the city for a balanced and pleasing atmosphere that integrates development with open or recreational space.
More than 2,500 acres are already dedicated to parks, picnic areas, sports fields, bike lanes, jogging paths, and greenbelts. The Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club features a 13-acre lake and sandy beach. Housing options range from garden apartments to condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. The 18th century Spanish architecture is common, with tile roofs and stucco exteriors. Homes are well-maintained and attractive, serving as an ideal complement to the clean, well-designed cityscape.
San Clemente
Municipal Offices
949-361-8200
http://san-clemente.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-492-1131
www.scchamber.com
Perhaps San Clemente’s city slogan says it best: Spanish Village by the Sea. This Southern California beach town is experiencing nothing less than explosive commercial and residential development. Planners expect the burgeoning population in this beautiful city to double again during the next twenty years. Residents enjoy 10 miles of beachfront, 342 days of sunshine per year, and an annual average temperature of 70 degrees. Festival highlights include Fiesta La Cristianita, which celebrates the first Christian baptism in California and features a parade and block party. Another favorite is the Ocean Festival—three impressive days of aquatic and endurance competitions for lifeguards.
Home choices are diverse, with most of the larger luxury models nestled high in the hills to offer the most exceptional ocean views. A good selection of older, traditional three-bedroom homes combines with a pleasing mix of custom homes in all sizes and price ranges. Multi-family complexes are also available for a maintenance-free lifestyle or vacation home. Many Americans first became acquainted with San Clemente as the home of former President Richard M. Nixon.
San Juan Capistrano
Municipal Offices
949-493-1171
www.sanjuancapistrano.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-493-4700
www.sanjuanchamber.com
This romantic city has grown to worldwide fame for its “return of the Swallows” in March each year. Colorful celebrations are common, although the city celebrates the “Fiesta de las Golondrinas” for two entire months with grand balls, contests, and parades.
San Juan Capistrano features a wide range of beautiful homes, encompassing affluent estates in the hills, historic adobes, custom executive homes, luxury townhouses, and affordable condos. Downtown, quaint streets house historic buildings that are now filled with art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole golf course, the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, and the local equestrian center with 440 stables. An added bonus is the abundance of horse trails.
Santa Ana
Municipal Offices
714-647-5400
www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
714-541-5353
www.santaanachamber.com
Claiming the largest population of any city in Orange County, Santa Ana is distinguished by a multitude of cultures and ethnic groups. The diversity that marks the cityscape has served to nurture a colorful and rich cultural community. The city’s slogan is “Education First,” and magnet schools ensure multicultural environments in the schools. West Coast University, California Coast University, and the well-known private school of Mater Dei are all located in Santa Ana.
Recreational amenities include 39 parks with more than 400 acres of land and open space. The city boasts its own zoo and a recently opened art center at the community college called Bowers Museum. Home styles tend to be as diverse as the population, from single-family housing in diverse architectural styles to turn-of-the-century restorations.
Seal Beach
Municipal Offices
562-431-2527
www.sealbeachca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
562-799-0179
https://sealbeachchamber.org/
With a mile-and-a-half of prime beachfront, Seal Beach is a pleasant town that provides opportunities for abundant water sports, including surfing, boogie boarding, sailing, fishing and windsurfing. Located at the north of Orange County, the community claims a rich history that dates back to 1784. In fact, Seal Beach had its genesis as a center for cattle-raising. Today, the community is home to Leisure World, an internationally known retirement community that boasts 200 clubs, a golf course, a swimming pool, and an outdoor amphitheater among its many amenities. In contrast to so many of the Orange County communities that claim a youthful population, Seal Beach demographics are heavily influenced by the number of mature adults and retirees. Over 40 percent of the community’s residents are over the age of 62.
Apartments, condominiums, and homes on the beach tend to be more affluent, while the single-family homes in the heart of town are smaller and yet nicely landscaped. Everything from beach cottages to four-bedroom, two-story homes are included in the options. In terms of local industry and economic activity, North American Rockwell Corporation maintains a significant presence in Seal Beach. The company employs about 2,000 people. The government is also a major employer: The 5,000-acre U.S. Naval Weapons Station is based at Seal Beach.
Stanton
Municipal Offices
714-379-9222
www.ci.stanton.ca.us
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
Almost completely surrounded by Garden Grove, the small town of Stanton features wonderful shops and charming little malls along the streets. The redevelopment in some areas is beginning to transform the cityscape with outstanding results. The city is justly proud of its new civic center and the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center. The latter can accommodate nearly 650 people in the main hall. Forming a focal point for community activity, the center hosts meetings, banquets, dances, fashion shows, and theater. Area youth have the advantage of a strong public school system. The selection of fine universities and colleges within an easy commute include California State University in Fullerton and Long Beach, and the University of California-Irvine.
The city experienced a surge in growth in the 1950s, a trend that continued through the 1960s and 1970s. It was during this era that most of the community’s homes were constructed. In addition to residential growth and development, Garden Grove has experienced rapid growth in its commercial and industrial sectors. In fact, the Stanton Redevelopment Agency has revitalized commercial and residential areas to achieve a progressive look and feeling.
Tustin
Municipal Offices
714-573-3000
www.tustinca.org
Chamber of Commerce
714-544-5341
http://tustinchamber.org
Often referred to as the City of the Trees, this attractive, residential community is quickly growing in both residential and commercial sectors. The population made a drastic surge in the 1960s from 2,005 to an impressive 22,315. At the same time, land area increased with several large annexations. In fact, the Marine Corps Air Station annexed 1,600 acres of land to Tustin as late as 1999. Available land enhances the attraction of this community to newcomers who appreciate close proximity to a wealth of amenities throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
Among the newer developments is the sprawling 1,740-acre Tustin Ranch, designed to offer over 9,000 homes. Other planned communities offer single-family homes, condos, and luxury apartments. Many local events like festivals, parades, and concerts fill the calendar. Residents can also enjoy a fine museum, a golf course, and a variety of quality sports facilities.
Villa Park
Municipal Offices
714-998-1500
www.villapark.org
Chamber of Commerce
949-600-5470
http://socchamber.com
While still relatively modest in population when compared to most of the Orange County communities, Villa Park is definitely large on character. This affluent residential town intends to preserve its pristine qualities by requiring that no home be built on less than half an acre of land. Most homes are custom built on larger tracts, providing an atmosphere of privacy and exclusivity. No condos or townhouses are available in this community of strictly single-family residences. Nearly one-third of the homes are built on the gentle hills and surrounded by beautiful old trees, which adds to the picturesque atmosphere.
The town center offers a few shops and the city offices. At the edge of town, newcomers will find a small shopping center with daily conveniences like a grocery store, banks, a pharmacy with a postal substation, and specialty shops. The city of Orange, located nearby, is the most popular destination when residents are looking for parks, libraries, malls, and restaurants.
Westminster
Municipal Offices
714-898-3311
www.westminster-ca.gov
Chamber of Commerce
714-898-9648
www.westminsterchamber.org
Named after Westminster, England, by the area’s earliest settlers, this older city was named an “all American City” in 1996 to recognize services provided to residents. The recently constructed Westminster Mall features four department store anchors, two theater complexes, and many specialty shops. For a true taste of authentic Vietnamese culture and cuisine, the mile-long strip known as Little Saigon on Bolsa Avenue has a wonderful variety of restaurants, shops, and antique stores.
Three-bedroom homes are the most common housing style, but a variety of single-family homes and multi-family complexes create a mix of architectural styles and price ranges. Residents enjoy the lush open space and sports facilities of 20 neighborhood parks. Other amenities include a cultural arts program and a theater. Westminster supports its own school district. The options for higher education close to home include California State University campuses at Long Beach and Fullerton, and the University of California at Irvine—all just 20 to 30 minutes away.
Yorba Linda
Municipal Offices
714-961-7100
https://www.yorbalindaca.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
714-993-9537
Perhaps Yorba Linda’s motto says it best: “Land of Gracious Living.” This pretty bedroom community derived its name from Jose Yorba, who was part of an early expedition that explored Orange County and later a landowner. Yorba Linda is well known as the birthplace of former President Richard Nixon, providing a popular tourist site in the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. The flourishing groves of avocado trees also pay tribute to Yorba Linda’s status as the site of the first avocado tree planted in the United States.
In this attractive community, houses are often built into steep hills to maximize views and privacy. Some are newer and more upscale, including sprawling five-bedroom homes or even larger models. Construction boomed through the 1970s and has continued in each subsequent decade. Today’s houses tend to be two-story pastel stucco with tile roofs, typically with four bedrooms. Recreational amenities include a private golf course, parks, 27 miles of equestrian trails, 30 miles of bicycle trails, 30 miles of multipurpose trails, 11 tennis courts, and 13 baseball/softball fields.
