Communities
Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo/mnvieho/ is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States. The city has a 2011 estimated population of 93,483,[3] Mission Viejo is suburban in nature and culture. The city is mainly residential, although there are a number of offices and businesses within its city limits. The city is known for its picturesque tree-lined neighborhoods, receiving recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The city’s name is a reference to Rancho Mission Viejo, a large Spanish land grant from which the community was founded. Mission Viejo was named the safest city in the United States by the Morgan Quitno crime statistic survey (compiled from FBI data). The city was also ranked safest in California and third in the nation by CQ Press. Mission Viejo was purchased by John Forster, a Mexican also known as Don Juan. During the Mexican-American War, Foster provided fresh horses to United States military forces which were used on the march of San Diego to retake Los Angeles. Lake Mission Viejo was built by the city’s master developer, the Mission Viejo Company, and is an absolutely beautiful one mile long man-made lake where members enjoy swimming, boating, sailing and fishing. Many other recreational facilities are located in the city of mostly condos and single family detached tract homes. There are two lakeside areas of custom homes, two retirement communities and two Golf Courses, including the Mission Viejo Country Club. Mission Viejo homeowners enjoys panoramic views of the Saddleback Mountains and surrounding hills. Home to the famous Natadores swim team and The Shops at Mission Viejo, a major regional mall.
Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo is a city located in the San Joaquin Hills of Southern Orange County, California. It had a population of 47,823 as of the 2010 census, up from 40,166 as of the 2000 census. It became Orange County’s 34th city on July 1, 2001, the only city in Orange County to be incorporated since 2000. It is bordered by the cities of Laguna Beach on the west and southwest, Laguna Hills on the east, Laguna Niguel on the southeast, andLaguna Woods on the north. This master planned community of townhomes and single family tract homes located on rolling hills commands sweeping views from Laguna Niguel across to the Saddleback Mountains. A large entertainment complex boasting 21 movie theatres, many shops and restaurants and the Aliso Viejo Country Club with its Jack Nicklaus Golf Course are centers of activity. Soka University overlooking Wood Canyon is a beautiful college.
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel is a master-planned city located in the San Joaquin Hills of southern Orange County, California. The name Laguna Niguel is derived from the words “Laguna” (Spanish for “lagoon”) and “Nigueli” (the name of a Juaneño Indian village once located near Aliso Creek). The population increased from 61,891 at the 2000 census to 62,979 in 2010. The city of Dana Point to the south separates Laguna Niguel and the Pacific Ocean. On the east side, Laguna Niguel is separated from San Juan Capistrano by a significant ridge running along Trabuco Creek. To the north lie Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills. Laguna Niguel is also bordered by Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo. Laguna Niguel is a city full of beautiful coastal hills who’s marketing name for many years was “Sea Country”. It offers many housing types from condos to custom homes with sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Recreation abounds at the Laguna Niguel Regional Park with its 44 acre lake, Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park, El Niguel Country Club (Golf) and Laguna Niguel Racquet Club (Tennis).
Ladera Ranch
Ladera Ranch is a 4,000 acres (16 km2) master-planned community adjacent to Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Juan Capistrano.[1] Located along Antonio Parkway and Crown Valley Parkway, construction of the community began in 1999 on portions of the O’Neill, Avery, & Moiso families’ 23,000 acres (93 km2) Rancho Mission Viejo cattle ranch, which was the largest remaining working ranch in Orange County. An authentic El Camino Real bell, donated by the Kruse family, stands in front of Chaparral Elementary School as a reminder of Ladera Ranch’s history. Ladera Ranch features a wide variety of homes from townhomes to large custom estates with beautiful views of the foothills and sunsets.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita is an affluent city in Orange County, California. One of Orange County’s youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. Most neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are within various homeowners associations. The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Rancho Santa Margarita is a fabulous master-planned city featuring a beautiful man-made lake with an awesome swimming lagoon. In addition, residents enjoy a multitude of neighborhood swimming pools and recreation centers plus the beautiful Ted Robinson styled Tijeras Creek Golf Course and clubhouse bordering the O’Neill Regional Park. There’s a broad variety of condos and single family tract homes located on both flat and hilly lands. Many of them enjoy close-up amazing views of the Saddleback Mountains. There’s movie theatres and abundant shopping centers and restaurants here. Several thriving business parks are found in the central part of the city and this is home to Cox Cable.
Rancho Mission Viejo
Rancho Mission Viejo (Rancho Misión Vieja) is an active 23,000-acre ranch and farm, habitat reserve, and community in the unincorporated area of South Orange County, CA. At one time, Rancho Mission Viejo was part of a 200,000-acre land grant given in 1845 to John Forster. The ranch’s history can be traced back to 1845 when John (Don Juan) Forster acquired Rancho La Paz and Mission San Juan Capistrano.[1] Forster added these properties to Rancho Trabuco, which he had purchased in 1843. Forster’s brother-in-law was Pío Pico, governor of then-Mexican-held California. In 1864, Forster added Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores to his holdings. Rancho Mission Viejo began building homes on the ranch just a few years ago and now there are many residents living there in condos and single family tract homes. Many more developments are underway and planned for many years into the future. Residents enjoy beautiful views of the hills and canyons in this area. Wildlife abounds here.
