About Orange County

Orange County is a county in California, within the United States. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,846,293, while a July 2008 estimate placed the population at 3,010,759, making it the second most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and ahead of San Diego County. It is the sixth most populous county in the United States as of 2009.
The county is famous for its tourism, as the home of such attractions as Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, as well as several beaches along its more than 40 miles (64 km) of coastline. It is also known for its affluence and political conservatism. In fact, a 2005 academic study listed three Orange County cities as being among America's 25 "most conservative," making it the only county in the country containing more than one such city. It also became well-known for being the largest US county ever to have gone bankrupt, when in 1994 citizens rejected tax increases to pay back debts incurred by the county treasurer's misinvestments.
Whereas most population centers in the United States tend to be identified by a major city, there is no defined urban center in Orange County. It is mostly suburban, except for some traditionally urban areas such as those of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton. There are also several edge city-style developments such as South Coast Metro and Newport Center.
While Santa Ana serves as the governmental center of the county, Anaheim is its main tourist destination, and Irvine its major business and financial hub. Four Orange County cities have populations exceeding 200,000: Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, and Huntington Beach.
Thirty-four incorporated cities are located in Orange County; the newest is Aliso Viejo, which was incorporated in 2001. Anaheim was the first city incorporated in Orange County, in 1870 when the region was still part of neighboring Los Angeles County.

History
Members of the Tongva, Juaneño, and Luiseño Native American groups long inhabited the area. After the 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portolà, a Spanish expedition led by Junipero Serra named the area Valle de Santa Ana (Valley of Saint Anne). On November 1, 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the area's first permanent European settlement. Among those who came with Portolá were José Manuel Nieto and José Antonio Yorba. Both these men were given land grants - Rancho Los Nietos and Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, respectively. The Nieto heirs were granted land in 1834. The Nieto ranches were known as Rancho Los Alamitos, Rancho Las Bolsas, and Rancho Los Coyotes. Yorba heirs Bernardo Yorba and Teodosio Yorba were also granted Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Canyon Ranch) and Rancho Lomas de Santiago, respectively. Other ranchos in Orange County were granted by the Mexican government during the Mexican period in Alta California.

A severe drought in the 1860s devastated the prevailing industry, cattle ranching, and much land came into the possession of Richard O'Neill, Sr.,[5] James Irvine and other land barons. In 1887, silver was discovered in the Santa Ana Mountains, attracting settlers via the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railroads.
This growth led the California legislature to divide Los Angeles County and create Orange County as a separate political entity on March 11, 1889. The county is generally said to have been named for the citrus fruit (its most famous product).[6] However, in the new county there was already a town by the name of Orange, named for Orange County, Virginia, which itself took its name from William of Orange. The fact the county took the same name as one of its towns may have been coincidence.
Other citrus crops, avocados, and oil extraction were also important to the early economy. Orange County benefited from the July 4, 1904 completion of the Pacific Electric Railway, a trolley connecting Los Angeles with Santa Ana and Newport Beach . The link made Orange County an accessible weekend retreat for celebrities of early Hollywood. It was deemed so significant that the city of Pacific City changed its name to Huntington Beach in honor of Henry Huntington, president of the Pacific Electric and nephew of Collis Huntington. Transportation further improved with the completion of the State Route and U.S. Route 101 (now mostly Interstate 5) in the 1920s.

South Coast Metro area in central Orange County
Agriculture, such as the boysenberry which was made famous by Buena Park native Walter Knott, began to decline after World War II but the county's prosperity soared. The completion of Interstate 5 in 1954 helped make Orange County a bedroom community for many who moved to Southern California to work in aerospace and manufacturing. Orange County received a further boost in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland.
In 1969, Yorba Linda-born Orange County native Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States.
In the 1980s, the population topped two million for the first time; Orange County had become the second-most populous county in California.
An investment fund melt-down in 1994 led to the criminal prosecution of County of Orange treasurer Robert Citron. The county lost at least $1.5 billion through high-risk investments in derivatives.[7] On December 6, 1994, the County of Orange declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy,[7] from which it emerged in June 1995. The Orange County bankruptcy was the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.[7]

In recent years land-use conflicts have arisen between established areas in the north and less developed areas in the south. These conflicts have regarded things such as construction of new toll roads and the re-purposing of a decommissioned air base. For example, the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station site was designated by a voter measure in 1994 to be developed into an

international airport to alleviate the heavily used John Wayne Airport. But subsequent voter initiatives and court actions have caused the airport plan to be permanently shelved. Instead it will become the Orange County Great Park.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,455 km2 (948 sq mi), making it the smallest county in Southern California. Surface water accounts for 411 km2 (159 sq mi) of the area, 16.73% of the total; 2,044 km2 (789 sq mi) of it is land. The average annual temperature is about 68 °F (20 °C). Despite its small size as a county, Orange County's total area in square miles is actually just smaller than the State of Rhode Island's land area.
Orange County is bordered on the southwest by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Los Angeles County, on the northeast by San Bernardino County and Riverside County, and on the southeast by San Diego County.
The northwestern part of the county lies on the coastal plain of the Los Angeles Basin, while the southeastern end rises into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Most of Orange County's population reside in one of two shallow coastal valleys that lie in the basin, the Santa Ana Valley and the Saddleback Valley. The Santa Ana Mountains lie within the eastern boundaries of the county and of the Cleveland National Forest. The high point is Santiago Peak (5,689 feet (1,734 m)[9]), about 20 mi (32 km) east of Santa Ana. Santiago Peak and nearby Modjeska Peak, just 200 feet (60 m) shorter, form a ridge known as Saddleback, visible from almost everywhere in the county. The Peralta Hills extend westward from the Santa Ana Mountains through the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, and ending in Olive. The Loma Ridge is another prominent feature, running parallel to the Santa Ana Mountains through the central part of the county, separated from the taller mountains to the east by Santiago Canyon.
The Santa Ana River is the county's principal watercourse, flowing through the middle of the county from northeast to southwest. Its major tributary to the south and east is Santiago Creek. Other watercourses within the county include Aliso Creek, San Juan Creek, and Horsethief Creek. In the North, the San Gabriel River also briefly crosses into Orange County and exits into the Pacific on the Los Angeles-Orange County line between the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach. Laguna Beach is home to the county's only natural lakes, Laguna Lakes, which are formed by water rising up against an underground fault.
Residents sometimes figuratively divide the county into "North Orange County" and "South County" (meaning Northwest and Southeast—following the county's natural diagonal orientation along the local coastline). This is more of a cultural and demographic distinction perpetuated by the popular television shows "The OC" and "Laguna Beach", between the older areas closer to Los Angeles, and the more affluent and recently developed areas to the South and East. A transition between older and newer development may be considered to exist roughly parallel to State Route 55 (aka the Costa Mesa Freeway). This transition is accentuated by large flanking tracts of sparsely developed area occupied until recent years by agriculture and military airfields.

While there is a natural topographical Northeast-to-Southwest transition from inland elevations to the lower coastal band, there is no formal geographical division between North and South County. Perpendicular to that gradient, the Santa Ana River roughly divides the county between northwestern and southeastern sectors (about 40% to 60% respectively, by area), but does not represent any apparent economic, political or cultural differences, nor does it significantly affect distribution of travel, housing, commerce, industry or agriculture from one side to the other.
Incorporated cities
As of August 2006, Orange County has 34 incorporated cities. The oldest is Anaheim (1870) and the newest is Aliso Viejo (2001).

Aliso Viejo, incorporated in 2001 Anaheim, incorporated in 1870 Brea, incorporated in 1917 Buena Park, incorporated in 1953 Costa Mesa, incorporated in 1953 Cypress, incorporated in 1956 Dana Point, incorporated in 1989 Fountain Valley, incorporated in 1953 Fullerton, incorporated in 1904 Garden Grove, incorporated in 1956 Huntington Beach, incorporated in 1909 Irvine, incorporated in 1971 La Habra, incorporated in 1925 La Palma, incorporated in 1955 Laguna Beach, incorporated in 1927 Laguna Hills, incorporated in 1991 Laguna Niguel, incorporated in 1989

Laguna Woods, incorporated in 1999 Lake Forest, incorporated in 1991 Los Alamitos, incorporated in 1960 Mission Viejo, incorporated in 1988 Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906 Orange, incorporated in 1888 Placentia, incorporated in 1926 Rancho Santa Margarita, incorporated in 2000 San Clemente, incorporated in 1928 San Juan Capistrano, incorporated in 1961 Santa Ana, incorporated in 1886 Seal Beach, incorporated in 1915 Stanton, incorporated in 1956 Tustin, incorporated in 1927 Villa Park, incorporated in 1962 Westminster, incorporated in 1957 Yorba Linda, incorporated in 1967

Noteworthy communities
Some of the communities that exist within city limits are listed below:

Anaheim Hills, Anaheim Atwood, Placentia Balboa, Newport Beach Balboa Island, Newport Beach Capistrano Beach, Dana Point Carlton, Yorba Linda Corona del Mar, Newport Beach Dove Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita East Lake, Yorba Linda El Modena, Orange Floral Park, Santa Ana French Park, Santa Ana Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita Lido Isle, Newport Beach Mesa Verde, Costa Mesa Monarch Beach, Dana Point Newport Coast, Newport Beach Northwood, Irvine Olinda Village, Brea

Olive, Orange Portola Hills, Lake Forest Quail Hill, Irvine San Joaquin Hills, Newport Beach San Juan Hills, San Juan Capistrano Santa Ana Heights, Newport Beach Santiago Hills, Orange South Coast Metro, Costa Mesa/Santa Ana South Laguna, Laguna Beach Sunny Hills, Fullerton Surfside, Seal Beach Talega, San Clemente Turtle Rock, Irvine Tustin Legacy, Tustin Tustin Ranch, Tustin West Garden Grove, Garden Grove The Village, Irvine Woodbury, Irvine Woodbridge, Irvine

Unincorporated communities
These communities are outside of city limits in unincorporated county territory:

Coto de Caza Cowan Heights El Modena Emerald Bay Ladera Ranch Lemon Heights Midway City Modjeska Canyon

North Tustin Orange Park Acres Rancho Mission Viejo Red Hill Rossmoor Silverado Canyon Sunset Beach Trabuco Canyon

 Planned communities
Orange County has a history of large planned communities. Nearly 30% of the county was created as master planned communities[citation needed], the most notable being the City of Irvine, Coto de Caza, Anaheim Hills, Tustin Ranch, Tustin Legacy, Ladera Ranch, Talega, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Mission Viejo. Irvine has become the model master planned city, encompassing many villages which were all planned under a master plan by the Irvine Company in the mid-1960s.
Adjacent counties

• Los Angeles County, California - north, west
• San Bernardino County, California - northeast
• Riverside County, California - east
• San Diego County, California - southeast

About Mission Viejo

The land upon which Mission Viejo is developed was part of the 52,000-acre Rancho Mission Viejo. The chain of title to the land dates back to July 27, 1769, when a Spaniard named Gaspar de Portola led an expeditionary force from Mexico across the southern border of the ranch and claimed the land for Spain.

Seven years later, the ranch witnessed the first attempt to found Mission San Juan Capistrano. Although lack of water forced the friars to relocate and the whereabouts of this old mission remain a mystery, the name Mission Viejo bears testimony to this structure's sojourn in San Juan Canyon more than two hundred years ago.

After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, a new flag flew over California and a new spirit filled the air. The missions, which had been established to further the spread of the Christian faith, became secularized, and their vast landholdings were granted as ranches to prominent citizens.

One man who happened to be standing in the right place at the right time was an English trader named John Forster. John or Juan, as the name reads on the old land grant, married the Mexican governor's sister and acquired the three ranchos historically known as El Trabuco, Mission Viejo, and Los Potreros. But fate frowned on Don Juan Forster. Fencing 205,000 acres drained his capital, droughts destroyed his cattle, and futile efforts to attract settlers dried up his last remaining credit. When Forster died, his estate was in shambles, and his sons were forced to sell.

In 1907, an Irish cattleman named Richard O'Neill acquired an undivided interest in Rancho El Trabuco and Rancho Mission Viejo. When a 1963 study indicated that urbanization was spreading south from the Los Angeles area, his grandchildren, Richard O'Neill and Alice O'Neill Avery, decided to sell 10,000 acres. Donald Bren, Philip J. Reilly, and James Toepfer purchased the property and organized the Mission Viejo Company.

In 1965, a master plan for Mission Viejo was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. One year later, Forster's dream of attracting settlers became a reality as families stood in line to pay $21,000 for homes on his former cattle range. In April 1966, these pioneering residents moved into the new neighborhoods near the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive.

About Aliso Viejo

With rolling hillside and valley terrain boasting picturesque views of mountains, streams, lush trails, pristine parks and city lights, Aliso Viejo is the envy of other cities throughout Orange County.

The City offers a bevy of amenities that mirror its motto of “Live, Work, Learn, Shop and Play” and its City slogan: “Aliso Viejo – Experience it All.” Aliso Viejo is well-known as a strong and lively community designed to meet the growing needs of individuals, families, professionals and enterprising businesses. It is a balanced community with opportunities for housing, jobs, future-planned multi-modal transportation and recreation. An abundance of parks and trails, cultural and recreational activities and youth sports programs further enhance the quality of life for a community with a vision to ensure long-term viability.

Aliso Viejo encompasses about 6 square miles and is situated at the southern end of the county. The community includes a balance of attractive residential neighborhoods, parks, recreation, award-winning schools and community facilities as well as abundant business, office and retail. The City also enjoys access to the Orange County trail system. Wood Canyon Wilderness Park is home to many rare and endangered plans and animals, along with mature oaks, sycamore and elderberry trees and year-round streams. More than 30 miles of interconnecting trails are suitable for hiking, equestrians and mountain bikes. Residents enjoy the added benefit of trails that connect to Laguna Beach, Dana Point and the Santa Ana mountains.

Aliso Viejo is conveniently located less than 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean; less than 9 miles from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano and less than 25 miles from the infamous Disneyland. International air travel is just an hour away; while Orange County’s local domestic airport is less than 15 minutes away. And, of course, the 73 Toll Road is literally at Aliso Viejo’s doorstep.
Commercial and passenger rail services are provided by Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Co., Metrolink and Amtrak lines.

The City of Aliso Viejo is a council/manager form of government. Legislative power is held by the publicly-elected five-member City Council. Council members are elected at-large for alternating four-year terms, with elections in November of even-numbered years. Every year in December, Council members select the mayor and mayor pro tem. The mayor presides over City Council meetings, signs official documents and performs ceremonial functions. As the Legislative Branch of Municipal Government, the City Council adopts laws and makes policy decisions for the City.

The City Council meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. City Hall is located across the street from the Orange County Sheriff’s Substation and around the corner from the Aliso Viejo Library.

Population. There are roughly 18,354 households representing 44,833 people. In 2007, the projected population was estimated to reach 48,000.

Community Services and Facilities. Residents are served by the Capistrano Unified School District, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, and numerous private schools. Aliso Viejo is also served by SOKA University and the South Orange County Community College District.

Hospitals serving the area include Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in neighboring Laguna Hills; CHOC and Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo; and Hoag Health Center in Aliso Viejo. The City’s Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center is located at Iglesia Park

About Costa Mesa

The City of Costa Mesa boasts of being one of Orange County's leading cultural and business centers. Located 37 miles southeast of Los Angeles, 88 miles north of San Diego and 475 miles south of San Francisco, Costa Mesa encompasses a total of 16 square miles with its southernmost border only 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean. The current population of approximately 113,440 has grown from 16,840 at the time of incorporation in 1953. Since that time, it has evolved from a semi-rural farming community to a city with its local economy primarily based upon retail commercial business and action sports industries such as surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. A general law city, Costa Mesa has a council-manager form of government and staff of approximately 580 full-time employees.

 

Costa Mesa offers 28 parks, 2 municipal golf courses, 20 public schools and 3 libraries. Additionally, Costa Mesa is home to Orange Coast College and Vanguard University as well as Whittier Law School and National University.

 

The Orange County Performing Arts Center, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and Theatre, Fair and Event Center, South Coast Repertory Theater and South Coast Plaza are prominent centers of cultural and economic activity within the City. The South Coast Plaza shopping center is the single largest commercial activity center in the City. The volume of sales generated by South Coast Plaza, on the strength of 322 stores, places it among the highest volume regional shopping centers in the nation.

The 9.5 acre Costa Mesa Civic Center is located at 77 Fair Drive. City Hall is a five-story building where the primary administrative functions of the City are conducted. Also contained in the Civic Center complex are Council Chambers, the Police facility, Communications building and Fire Station No. 5. State Highways 55, 73 and Interstate 405 all run through Costa Mesa.

Costa Mesa residents enjoy an ideally mild Southern California climate. The City's location provides easy access to many of Southern California's major attractions such as beaches, mountain areas, high and low deserts, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Palm Springs and Los Angeles with its sports arenas and major league teams. Surrounded by the cities of Newport Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Santa Ana, Costa Mesa is in an area where it is wonderful to live and work.

About Dana Point

Incorporated in 1989, the City of Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana Jr. (1815-1882), a Harvard-trained lawyer, seaman, and author of the classic sea journal, Two Years Before the Mast (1840). In his journal, Dana documents his voyage from Boston around Cape Horn to California on the merchant ship, Pilgrim. Therein, Dana describes the area once known as Capistrano Bay, as "the most romantic spot on the California coast." Today, Capistrano Bay is known as Dana Point.

On January 1, 2009 the City of Dana Point celebrated its 20th anniversary. In commemoration of the date The Dana Point Historical Society hosted a reenactment of the cityhood establishment ceremony.  The event was well attended by residents, visitors and politicians. 

Dana Point is home to 36,765 residents and is characterized by nearly seven miles of prominent coastal bluffs and rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean. Most noteworthy of these bluffs is a unique promontory known as the "Headlands" which overlooks Dana Point Harbor, one of the most significant manmade alterations of the Orange County coastline.

Dana Point Harbor provides slips and mooring for over 2,500 boats along with over 50 specialty shops and restaurants. The Harbor attracts thousands of visitors annually for shopping, sport fishing, walking, bicycling, parasailing and a host of recreational activities. The Dana Point Harbor is also considered the gateway to Doheny State Park, one of California’s most popular beach facilities. The 62-acre State Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, bicycling, tide pool exploration and more.

Dana Point provides over 1,900 hotel rooms ranging in accommodations and services from economy to five star hotels. Convention and meeting facilities are available at the larger resort facilities, and all provide access to Dana Point’s unique coastal amenities.

Located in southern Orange County, California, Dana Point is approximately one-half way between Los Angeles and San Diego, and is bordered by the cities of Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach to the north, San Juan Capistrano to the east, and San Clemente to the south.

About Irvine

In 1837, San Juan Capistrano mission lands were granted to Don Jose Sepulveda, later becoming Rancho San Joaquin. Rancho Lomas de Santiago was granted to Teodosio Yorba in 1846. In that year, the Mexican army was defeated in the final battle of the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe was signed and California was annexed to the United States.

The Congressional Act of 1851 forced landholders to reapply to the Board of Land Commissioners to get valid title to their ranchos. Original grantees, however, had produced large families who were deeding, selling and trading portions of the large ranchos to family members and outsiders.

Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana fell prey to tangled titles. In 1868, outside investor Abel Stearns was successful in his suit to dissolve the rancho and divide the property among the claimants, four of whom were prosperous sheep ranchers: Benjamin and Thomas Flint, Llewellyn Bixby and James Irvine.

Meanwhile, Jose Sepulveda, owner of Rancho San Joaquin, was heavily in debt. In 1864, the year of the Great Drought, Sepulveda sold his 50,000 acres to Irvine, Flint and Bixby for $18,000. In 1866, Irvine, Flint and Bixby acquired the 47,000-acre Rancho Lomas de Santiago for $7,000. Much of the rancho was not suitable for cultivation, but did border the Santa Ana River on the north, thereby securing valuable water rights.

The Irvine, Flint and Bixby ranches were devoted to sheep grazing, although in the 1870's tenant farming was permitted. In 1878, James Irvine acquired his partners' interests for $150,000. His 110,000 acres stretched 23 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana River.

James Irvine died in 1886. In 1893, his son, James Irvine, Jr., came into full possession of the ranch which he incorporated into The Irvine Company one year later. James, Jr. began shifting ranch operations to field crops, olive and citrus orchards.

During World War I, agriculture had intensified, and by 1918, some 60,000 acres of lima beans were grown on the Irvine Ranch. During World War II, two Marine Corps air facilities were built on land sold to the government by The Irvine Company.

James Irvine, Jr. died in 1947 at the age of 80. Presidency of the company fell to his son Myford, who began opening small sections of the ranch to urban development. Myford died in 1959.

In 1959, the University of California asked The Irvine Company for 1,000 acres for a new campus. The Irvine Company agreed, and the State accepted the land and purchased an additional 500 acres. The University's consulting architect, William Pereira, and Irvine Company planners drew up master plans for a city of 50,000 people surrounding the university. The area would include industrial zones, residential and recreational areas, commercial centers and greenbelts. The Irvine Industrial Complex West (now known as The Irvine Business Complex) opened and the villages of Turtle Rock, University Park, Culverdale, the Ranch and Walnut were completed by 1970.

On December 28, 1971, the residents of these communities voted to incorporate a substantially larger city than that envisioned by the original Pereira plan in order to control the future of the area and protect its tax base.

By January 1999, the City of Irvine had a population of 134,000 and a total area of 43 square miles. Future plans, however, call for a population of over 200,000 on 46.7 square miles by the year 2020.

Thirty years ago, the City of Irvine was still in its infancy. Today, Irvine has grown into what many describe as a "total destination," a community boasting state-of-the-art transportation programs and systems, an enterprising business environment, stellar educational institutions and a team-like lifestyle.

Irvine's noteworthy, present-day status didn't evolve from happenstance. It's the outcome of mastermind planners, and those engaged to institute the plan. Each day, the Irvine City leaders and staff work diligently to ensure a quality environment for the City's future.

Using the City's Strategic Business Plan and the General Plan, the Irvine City Council makes decisions, based on fiscal limitations, that will:

• Maintain and enhance Irvine's physical environment that will prevent community deterioration
• Secure a safe community by assuring the right balance between public safety services and prevention strategies
• Encourage economic prosperity by attracting and retaining businesses and sales tax
• Promote effective government by assuring that the City organization is flexible, market-based and customer focused in its service deliver

For more than 30 years, residents and businesses have been choosing the City of Irvine because of its dedication to maintaining its reputation as one of the safest, master-planned, business-friendly communities in the country. This dedication makes Irvine the strong community it is today, and what it will be for generations to come.

About Laguna Hills

Laguna Hills is built on one of the major land grants developed during the Rancho Era. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, those who had served in the government or who had friends in authority, were given vast lands for cattle grazing. Rancho Lomas de Santiago, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Niguel covered much of the western portion of the Saddleback Valley. Don Juan Avila was granted the 13,000 Rancho Niguel on which Laguna Hills is located.

In 1874, Lewis Moulton purchased Rancho Niguel from Don Juan Avila and increased the original grant to 22,000 acres. Moulton and his partner, Jean Piedra Daguerre, used the ranch to raise sheep and cattle. The Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960's, part of which is recognized as Laguna Hills.

Incorporation efforts began in 1987 and on March 5, 1991, the goal of incorporation was finally achieved with 86% of the residents voting in favor of forming the City of Laguna Hills. On December 20, 1991, Laguna Hills officially became a City.

On November 14, 1995, the City Council approved annexation of the North Laguna Hills area, which became part of the incorporated City on July 1, 1996.

On September 18, 2000, with the overwhelming support from the 1,800 residents, the "Westside" Annexation Area officially became part of the incorporated City. The annexation added 149 acres of residential land, which includes the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills Park.

About Laguna Niguel

Over one-third of Laguna Niguel is designated as open space. This significant amount of open space is one of the key features defining the character and urban form of the City. The City has 2 community parks, 23 neighborhood parks, 3 mini-parks, 1 dog park, 2 county regional parks, 2 small county parks and the new Laguna Niguel Skate & Soccer Park

The name “Laguna Niguel” is derived from the Spanish word “Laguna,” which means lagoon, and the word “Nigueli,” which was the name of a Juaneno Indian village once located near Aliso Creek. In 1821, California became Mexican territory and many rancheros were formed in Southern California, including Rancho Niguel. During this period, Rancho Niguel was primarily used as a sheep ranch. The first private landowner of the area was Juan Avila, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, who obtained land through a Mexican land grant in 1842. Juan Avila was also successful in re-establishing his title to the land after California became US territory in 1848 and remained the owner of “Rancho Niguel” until 1865.

In 1895, the “Rancho Niguel” land became part of the Moulton Company, a company that would eventually control over 19,000 acres of local ranch land.

 

The genesis of today’s Laguna Niguel was the establishment of the Laguna Niguel Corporation in 1959 by Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, making it one of the first master planned communities in California. The firm of Victor Gruen and Associates was retained to develop a detailed community plan for the approximately 7,100-acre site. Land sales started to occur in 1961 in Monarch Bay and Laguna Terrace subdivisions. Avco Community Developer acquired the Laguna Niguel Plan in 1971 and initiated development as set forth in the original Master Plan.

 

During the early years of development in Laguna Niguel, the Laguna Niguel Homeowner Association, later to become the Laguna Niguel Community Council, served in an advisory capacity to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on land use issues.

 

In 1986, Laguna Niguel residents, looking for local governance, took the first step toward cityhood by forming a Community Services District. Three years later, on November 7, 1989, 89% of the voters favored incorporation and on December 1, 1989, Laguna Niguel became the 29th city in Orange County.

About Laguna Woods

Laguna Woods is both one of California's newest and oldest cities. Incorporated in 1999 as Orange County's 32nd city, the average age of Laguna Woods residents is 78. Ninety percent of the City’s 4 square miles is contained within the senior citizen gated community of Laguna Woods Village (formerly Leisure World, Laguna Hills). The balance of the City contains three additional senior residential communities and several thriving commercial centers.

Development of the Leisure World community began in the 1960s on 2,095 acres formerly known as the Moulton Ranch. It was designed to offer a full range of cultural and recreational experiences for active adults within a safe and garden-like setting. 

Incorporation efforts were initiated unsuccessfully - independently and in conjunction with surrounding communities - on several occasions. In 1996, threatened with the development of a major commercial airport on its borders, the Leisure World community hired a consultant to explore future governance options. The final report convinced community leaders to pursue cityhood once again. 

On June 22, 1998, the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission approved the community's application for incorporation; local voters ratified the proposal on March 2, 1999 and on March 24, 1999, Laguna Woods became Orange County's 32nd city.  

Laguna Woods is a general law city, operating with a "council-manager" form of government. The council-manager form of government blends five elected City Council citizen representatives, who set policies and adopt local laws, with a City Manager and  team of professional staff and consultants who carry out these policies. Two of Laguna Woods' current Councilmembers - Brenda Ross and Bert Hack - have served the City since incorporation, as has its City Manager, Leslie Keane.

About Lake Forest

The City of Lake Forest is located in the heart of South Orange County and the beautiful Saddleback Valley. The City's motto, "Remember the past, challenge the future," is the Lake Forest way of life. The rich heritage of the past is preserved and enhanced in this contemporary city ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Incorporated as a city in 1991, Lake Forest has been carefully master-planned to help ensure that it will always be an ideal place for business to prosper and people to live, work and play.

Don Jose Serrano settled the area, which was originally called Rancho Canada De Los Alisos (the Valley of the Sycamores), through a Mexican Land Grant in 1846. The area then became known as El Toro, named after the bulls that roamed Don Jose Serrano's ranch. For more than a century, the land remained with Don Jose and his family until financial problems forced him to turn the land over to private interests. In the early 1900's, Dwight Whiting, a resident of the area, planted 400 acres of fast-growing eucalyptus trees in this growing agricultural community as an answer to the California lumber shortage. Shortly following World War II, residential, commercial and industrial development began to replace the acres of farmland in the area. In the 1960's, master developer Occidental Petroleum decided to create a master-planned community around the abundant trees and man-made lakes. The eucalyptus trees provided landscaping
for the new modern homes and led to the "Forest" in Lake Forest. During the peak of activity at the nearby El Toro Marine Base, the need for new homes and support services increased. Steadily, the Lake Forest area was built into the community we enjoy today.

Lake Forest is well-situated adjacent to the merger of the Interstate 5 and 405 Freeways and the Foothill and Eastern Transportation Corridors, which provide easy access to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. The Orange County Airport and an Amtrak station are only minutes away. 

“Lake Forest, Where Work and Life Come Together Naturally." The City's business, industrial and commercial office parks offer an excellent selection of facilities and development opportunities to meet the needs and specific requirements of varied professions and businesses, including research and development, technology, manufacturing and retail. Companies that include Oakley, Wet Seal, Del Taco corporate offices, Panasonic Avionics, Apria Healthcare, Black & Decker, Western Digital, and Wonderware Corporation flourish in Lake Forest. The City takes a proactive role in expanding existing businesses and encouraging entrepreneurial activity. 

Lake Forest has the charm of a small community with the convenience of a large metropolitan city. It's the place to live the good life in beautiful, safe, well-planned neighborhoods. The environment is ideal with mild Mediterranean weather, lush green hills, groves of eucalyptus trees, lakes and style. It's family living at its finest with homes to meet all needs, including lake front homes, equestrian estates, luxury condominiums, town homes, mobile home parks and retirement communities.

Twenty public parks and the Whiting Ranch Regional Wilderness Park offer acres of great outdoor pleasure. Everything from tennis, handball, basketball and volleyball courts, tot lots, a golf course, stable, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, cozy picnic areas and barbecues, to boating and swimming are all conveniently available within the city. There are free summer concerts in the park, theaters, community playhouse productions, special events at Heritage Hill Historical Park and City sponsored programs for all age groups.

Lake Forest has quality public schools for grades K-12, several preschools, private elementary schools, technical and trade schools within the city. Higher education is only minutes away at the University of California at Irvine, California State University at Fullerton, Chapman University, Concordia University and Saddleback and Irvine Valley Community Colleges.

About Newport Beach

Travel from the east to the west side of the city  - or the north end to the south end - and you will get a flavor of the distinct residential and commercial areas that combine to make the City of Newport Beach one of the most attractive communities on the west coast. Newport Beach is known for its “villages”, each with its own distinct character and appearance. They include:

Balboa Peninsula
The Peninsula is a three-mile stretch bordered by Newport Harbor on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It’s famous for “the Wedge,” arguably one of the best bodysurfing sites in the world and the Ocean Front Walk, one of the region’s most popular boardwalks. At the foot of Newport Pier lies the historic McFadden Square, named for the family that helped found the city and the Dory Fishing Fleet, where local fisherman bring in fresh seafood daily. Approximately one mile south of the Newport Pier is the Balboa, another of the city’s villages. Balboa includes the Balboa Pier, the Balboa Fun Zone, and the historic Balboa Pavilion. Catch the Balboa Ferry from here for the short ride over to Balboa Island.

Lido Marina Village
Lido Marina Village is a charming shopping area with waterfront dining, stores, the historic Lido Theater, and dynamic views of the harbor. Just over the bridge sits Lido Isle, a residential neighborhood located on one of the seven islands of Newport Harbor. The Cannery, a former fish canning operation, still stands nearby.

Mariner’s Mile
This section of Coast Highway is located between the Arches Interchange (where Coast Highway meets Newport Boulevard) and Dover Drive. It contains yacht brokerages, marine supply stores, high-end automobile dealerships, a mix of retail and restaurants, and the beautiful Balboa Bay Club & Resort.

Balboa Island
The area known as Balboa Island is actually comprised of three islands – Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island and Collins Island. The main street, Marine Avenue, is lined with quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants. “The Island” is known for the great walking path that circles its perimeter, the annual Balboa Island Parade, its annual Art Walk, and, of course, the legendary Balboa Bar – vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and assorted toppings.

Corona Del Mar
Corona Del Mar, or the Crown of the Sea, is home to the beautiful Corona Del Mar State Beach and the Robert E. Badham Marine Conservation Area. Lookout and Inspiration Points offer scenic views of the ocean and the entrance to Newport Harbor. Just a few blocks inland is the “downtown” area of the village, where shops, boutiques and restaurants border both sides of Coast Highway and the 2.2-acre Sherman Library and Gardens is known as a “horticultural retreat.”

Newport Center / Fashion Island
Newport Center contains high- and mid-rise office and residential buildings, hotels and Fashion Island, one of the most exclusive shopping and dining destinations in Southern California.

Newport Coast
Newport Coast was annexed into the City of Newport Beach in 2002. Newer homes, upscale hotels and the Pelican Hill Golf Course line the hillsides and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The historic Crystal Cove State Park, tucked between Coast Highway and the ocean, includes three miles of coastline and its historic district contains more than a dozen restored 1930s-era vacation cottages that can be rented year-round.

The Islands of Newport Harbor
Another unique feature of Newport Beach are the eight islands located  in Newport Harbor.  Bay Island, Collins Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle, Linda Isle, Little Balboa Island, and Newport Island are strictly residential areas.  Balboa Island has residential and some small commerical areas. 

About Rancho Santa Margarita

Where schools, shopping centers and residential neighborhoods now stand, Native Americans once lived. On July 23, 1769, they were visited by a Spanish expedition under Captain Gaspar de Portola, who camped near the site of Tijeras Creek Golf Course in Rancho Santa Margarita.

On July 24, the expedition headed inland to avoid the many streams and swamps in the area. They found a large plateau area and camped that night on its western edge by a canyon, which the Franciscans named San Francisco Solano. This was on the eastern side of Trabuco Creek about three miles downstream from the present site of Trabuco Oaks.

While camped here on July 24-25, one of the soldiers lost his trabuco, or musket, a most valuable possession to any soldier. To mark this loss, the stream was named Trabuco. The name has been associated with the mesa, the canyon, and the entire area ever since.  The Spaniards founded Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776, and ruled the region until 1821, when California became part of Mexico.

The Mexican governors carved the area around the mission into three large ranchos: Rancho Trabuco, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita.  James L. Flood and his partner Jerome O’Neill purchased the combined ranchos in 1882. The huge estate was run as a working ranch into the 1920s. In 1940, the ranch was divided, with the Flood family taking the lower portion, in today's San Diego County, with the upper portion retained by the O'Neill family. In 1942, the Navy annexed the Flood family’s portion of the ranch for use as Camp Joseph H. Pendleton.

In 1948, the O'Neill family donated 278 acres of canyon bottom land to the County of Orange for park purposes. The O'Neill family donated an additional 120 acres of parkland in 1963, the same year they founded the Mission Viejo Company and drew up plans for a master-planned community of the same name.

By the 1960s, a rural cluster of homes had been present in Trabuco Canyon for decades. The area's first tract developed homes didn't arrive until late in the decade in what would become Coto de Caza, which started out as a hunting and fishing resort. The area remained fairly remote until 1986, when the first homes in the new master planned community of Rancho Santa Margarita were sold. The economic boom of the 1980s also fueled home construction in nearby Dove Canyon, Robinson Ranch, Wagon Wheel and a handful of smaller developments. The area became better linked to the rest of the county in 1992, when extensions of Oso, Antonio and Alicia Parkways were completed.

In 1989, the people of the community of Rancho Santa Margarita established a Community Civic Association (CCA) for the purpose of providing a political voice for the community. The CCA, later known as the Rancho Margarita Civic Association (and still later as the Civic Council), briefly explored self-governance, but it was in 1995 that the RSM Cityhood Committee, a separate community organization, began the official drive for cityhood. Rancho Santa Margarita was planned to be an “Urban Village”, offering the best of two worlds: all of the elements and advantages of a small city plus the quality of life of a small village.

In November 1999, area voters opted to incorporate the Rancho Santa Margarita Planned Community and the neighboring Robinson Ranch, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Trabuco Highlands and Walden Communities. The newly formed City of Rancho Santa Margarita incorporated on January 1, 2000, and became the 33rd city in the County of Orange.

The City is a general law city and operates under the council-manager form of government. Rancho Santa Margarita is a contract city.  Police services are provided through contract with the Orange County Sheriff.  Fire Protection services are provided through the Orange County Fire Authority.

About San Clemente

A unique combination of personality, foresight, luck, and a good dose of marketing savvy transformed this stretch of land. But unlike so many other communities in the region, San Clemente’s geographical isolation helped protect its small-town charm from the homogeneous urban sprawl that permeates so much of this region.

As town founder Ole Hanson said in the late 1920s, “I get credit for building San Clemente. I am doing my best, but San Clemente’s development was as natural as a well-watered and fertilized tree to grow. It is on the coast. Its climate is superb. It is far enough from San Diego and Los Angeles to fill a real necessity. Besides, people love the beautiful things.”

People indeed love beautiful places and the boom in San Clemente’s population, this year reaching 67,892 in this 80 year-old community, reflects the popularity of San Clemente and the development that has transformed all of Orange County in the past century.

However, San Clemente started and has evolved differently than many of its neighboring communities.

San Clemente was among the first master planned communities built from totally open land in the United States. Before erecting a single structure on the rolling coastal hills, Ole Hanson laid out an expansive plan based on the Spanish Colonial architectural style including restaurants, a clubhouse, residences, public parks, a public pool, a fishing pier, and even equestrian trails.

About San Juan Capistrano

The City of San Juan Capistrano is a unique community grounded in a history of native American culture, the Mission established by Franciscan missionaries in 1776, and an agrarian past. Officially incorporated as a city in 1961, San Juan Capistrano recently celebrated 40 years of cityhood. A council-manager form of government, with five elected council members elected citywide, direct the city operations and municipal services.

The City has grown from a small community of approximately 10,000 persons in 1974 to a developed city of 36,073 in 2006, with a variety of land uses providing open space, recreation, housing, jobs, shopping and services. The City prides itself on effectively maintaining its open space character by acquiring land to preserve its defining ridgelines, hillsides, and trails. Nearly 40% of the City is in open space and park land. Only about 10% of land suitable for development still remains vacant.

San Juan Capistrano is unique in Orange County and a rarity in California, a community whose foundation was laid by the earliest people to inhabit the land, and a community still evolving after more than 220 years. California history, and therefore San Juan Capistrano history, is often divided into five major eras.

Prehistory (Before 1776)

Before the arrival of Europeans in Orange County, the Indians of the area were largely peaceful hunter-gatherers. Tribes had a monarchic form of government, with leadership passing within one family, and a council of men who aided that leader. War was never waged for conquest, but to avenge crimes against family members or leaders. A deity called Chinigchinich was worshiped in religious ceremonies held in a small temple structure located in the center of each community.

Spanish missionaries divided Orange County Indians into two groups based on their proximity to area missions, Juanenos (originally Acagchemem) and Gabrielinos. It is thought there were in reality many small tribes, all belonging to the Shoshone family, sharing common linguistic roots.

Abundant evidence of prehistoric Indian life has been found within San Juan Capistrano and several local families trace their lineage to the Juaneno band.

Spanish Era (1776-1820)

Two factors were essential to Franciscan Missionaries in placing the California missions. First, a site with ample fresh water and arable land, and second, a native population of prospective converts to do the work of the church and eventually become Spanish citizens. The Capistrano Valley offered both and so on November 1, 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the seventh mission in the California chain, beginning the Spanish Era in San Juan.

The success of the San Juan Mission is revealed in records of 1796 that count nearly one thousand Indian neophytes living in or near the Mission compound and working the various farming, herding, candle and soap making, iron smelting, and weaving and tanning operations. Also, 1,649 baptisms were recorded that year.

An increasing population led to the building of numerous adobe homes for the native and intermarried families with ties to the Mission (some Spanish soldiers assigned to the Mission married native women). In 1807, 34 adobes were built or remodeled. Records from 1811 reveal a prosperous year, with the Mission producing many tons of wheat, barley, corn and beans, and thousands of head of cattle, sheep and horses.

Mexican/Rancho Era (1821-1847)

The Mexican independence of 1821 brought a new era to San Juan Capistrano. A Secularization Act was passed in 1833 to divest Mission lands. Instead of going to Indians as envisioned, land grants more often went to political appointees. These land grants began the Rancho system of large ranches owned by a few powerful men and families.

The Secularization Act began an immediate decline of the Mission in San Juan Capistrano and an overall decline in the town's population. In 1841 the Mexican government declared San Juan to be a pueblo (town), instead of a religious parish. In 1845 the Mission itself was sold to John Forster, an Englishman who had married the governor's sister and who eventually would own nearly 250,000 acres across three counties.

Statehood (1850-1900)

The American victory over Mexico in 1848 resulted in the acquisition of the territory of California and statehood two years later, which resulted in major changes for San Juan Capistrano. The town initially became plagued by squatters, drifters and bandits as it was one of the few stopping and resupply points between San Diego and Los Angeles. The ranchos also brought cowboys into town on Saturday nights who caused drunken brawls in the streets. Bandits and stagecoach robbers were plentiful and it was said that until the 1920s, San Juan had "one good murder a year."

San Juan's location on the road to newly discovered gold fields in northern California led to rapid growth with homes, stores and a hotel being built. A number of board and batten homes were built next to Mission era adobes in the Los Rios area. Part of the Miguel Yorba adobe on Camino Capistrano became an overnight stage stop. Cattle raised on nearby ranchos were driven north and sold at great profit to feed prospectors.

Drought, smallpox and a state property tax led to the decline of the ranchos and began the sale of land to settlers interested in farming. The Homestead Act and inviting travel guides caused an increase in the number of easterners interested in pursuing the California dream.

By the 1880s barley, walnuts and oranges had been planted within the town limits. The California Central Railroad came to San Juan in 1887 bringing access to markets and creating a land boom.

Twentieth Century (1901 - Present)

The years after 1900 were a period of stability for San Juan. The early years saw the community become a tight knit group of farm families and merchants, relatively untouched by the explosion of development to the north and south. The Capistrano Valley, instead, developed into an agricultural center with an orange processing and produce packing plant near the railroad.

During this early period, the Mission languished. Despite an early stabilization effort by the Landmark Club, it wasn't until 1910 when Father John O'Sullivan came to town, that the Mission was restored to a semblance of its earlier self. San Juan then became a destination for those interested in a glimpse of early California life and visitors included Hollywood stars and tourists from around the world. In 1939 a live NBC radio broadcast spread the fame and legend of the swallows' return to a nationwide audience.

Intense development pressures in the early 1970s caused the citizens to create a new General Plan which preserved historic resources and open space, limited development density, and provided for ridgeline preservation. These measures,adopted in 1974, have proved to be years ahead of many California communities, and have helped assure the perpetuation of San Juan Capistrano's unique heritage.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

The "Jewel of the Missions" has been the center of Orange County since its founding by Padre Junipero Serra on November 1, 1776.

The Mission's namesake was Giovanni de Capestrano, who was born in 1386. He was a respected warrior and missionary, who died October 23, 1456. He was canonized in 1690, and was a favorite of Father Junipero Serra. Serra, in 1776, gained permission to name one of the missions after Capestrano.

Today it is one of California's most important historical, cultural, and educational centers. The Mission is the seventh of 21 Spanish Missions established in California by Franciscan Padres. Spain controlled California until 1821, when Mexico won its independence. In 1845, the Mission was sold for $710 to Don Juan Forster. His family lived at the Mission for 20 years. In 1865, Abraham Lincoln returned the Mission to the Catholic Church. In 1915, Mary Pickford was married in the Mission chapel.

Areas of interest within the Mission walls include early adobe barracks, Friars' quarters, olive millstone, cemetery, aqueduct system, the beautiful gardens, and the original Stone Church. The Church was completed in 1797 and partially destroyed by earthquake in 1806.

The Mission has embarked on a $20-million preservation campaign to protect the historical landmark. Stabilization and preservation of the Great Stone Church and other of the Mission's adobe buildings has been completed. In 2005, the Mission identified the conservation of Serra Chapel as its number one priority and has implemented a campaign to raise much-needed funds to preserve the Chapel’s significant features. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a non-profit historic site supported solely by tourism and gifts.

About Tustin

People who know this area well sometimes refer to Tustin as "The City of the Trees." Although a variety of trees are responsible for this nickname, this is a distinctive quality of the area which dates back centuries, actually to the time of the early Spanish explorers. The first Europeans in Orange County came with the Portola Expedition in 1769. This expedition, which had two padres (including Father Juan Crespi) and a small contingent of the army, set out north to establish the string of missions throughout California. (Father Serra, who was in charge of this project, was not along on this expedition, remaining in San Diego to establish the mission there.) A few years later, the early Spanish Grijalva scouting party (The Anza Expedition, 1776) identified the area from Santiago Creek to Red Hill as El Alisal, the Sycamore Grove. At that time, the land was dotted with massive, white-barked sycamore trees. It is of some note that three of the massive trees still exist, although today they are on private property.

The American Indians living in the region when the Spanish first arrived spoke a dialect of the Shoshone language. Much of the Indian culture is only today being pieced together from archeological studies in the area. However, it is known that there had been an Indian village or gathering place around Red Hill.

Although the Indians of that time were nomadic, when the Spanish came, they grouped the Indians according to which mission district they were in at the time, and turned them from fishermen and harvesters of seasonal nuts and berries into farm workers. The Indians who lived in what is today the Tustin area were called the "Gabrielino" Indians, for they were under the jurisdiction of the San Gabriel Mission. They were considered, according to the European standards of the time, to be "somewhat more sophisticated" than the "Juanenos" Indians, who were under the jurisdiction of the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

The reason trees grew here was the same one which attracted Indians and then the early settlers - the availability of a dependable water supply, some of it from natural artesian wells that flowed from the ground. The water certainly attracted Juan Pablo Grijalva, who, in 1810, received a grant to use it for ranching. Over the next generations, the land was divided between family members. In 1868, when a dispute within the family over ownership could not be resolved, the land was partitioned to be sold.

Columbus Tustin, a Northern California carriage maker, and his partner Nelson Stafford, purchased 1,300 acres of what had been the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana for the price of one dollar and fifty cents per acre. Mr. Tustin attempted to create "Tustin City," but sales of homesites were slow, and in the early 1870s he ended up giving free lots to anyone who would build a home.

In 1877, Tustin lost out to Santa Ana as the Southern terminus of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and Columbus Tustin died in 1883, a bitterly disappointed man. Nonetheless, with the abundance of water, the community named after him gradually became established as an agricultural center. By the 1880s there were three churches, a fifty room hotel, a bank, and a horse drawn "tallyho" (trolley line) which connected Tustin to Santa Ana. By the turn of the century, groves of apricots and walnuts were gradually being replaced by the more profitable Valencia oranges.

Tustin's reputation as an area leader in education was begun at this time, with a public school led by educator John "Zeke" Zeilian. In 1927, the population topped 900, and the voters elected to incorporate.

During World War II, three military bases were established in nearby bean fields and unincorporated areas in proximity to Tustin: the Santa Ana Army Air Base, the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, and the navy's Lighter-Than-Air Base (where the huge hangers housed coast-patrolling blimps).

In the 1950s, Tustin's growth began in earnest. Freeways, quality schools, and post-war industries attracted thousands of people. The orchards were developed by builders and by 1970 the population had jumped to 32,000. Growth was a painful process as houses replaced orange groves. Old timers and newcomers alike had to adapt to each other, cope with new problems and situations, and expand facilities to handle increased patronage. And so tract after tract replaced grove after grove.

With all the development, the next step was annexations to the City. Annexation became the major issue during the period from 1955 to 1965. One of the early annexations to the city was the Tustin Union High School campus. Although the school was built in 1921, it remained outside the city limits until annexation in 1957. During the 1950s the City increased 220 percent in size with annexations. The big leap came in the 1960s when the population increased a whopping 1,012 percent, going from 2,006 to 22,313 population and the land area increased from 434.23 acres to 2,214.77, or a 410 percent increase. Several large annexations greatly increased the city's area between 1971 and 1981. The Marine Corps Air Station was annexed to Tustin, adding 2,076 acres to the city. A few years later a total of 2,257 acres that had been in the Irvine Ranch agricultural preserve were annexed and are being developed as Tustin Ranch.

Today, almost all the orchards are gone; now Tustin is an urban area. However, if you know where to look, you can still see signs of the City's proud history. Historic old buildings, some dating back to the 1880s, are maintained in "Old Town" on Main Street and El Camino Real. The museum shows a living history of those times gone by. And there's more: three trees yet remain of those original massive sycamores. And finally, everywhere lining the streets, one still sees trees, trees and more trees in Tustin, The City of Trees.

Orange County,Orange,90638
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Orange,Aliso Viejo,92653
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Orange,Anaheim,90620
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Orange,Buena Park,90620
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Orange,Coto de Caza,92679
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Orange,Fountain Valley,92704
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Orange,Garden Grove,90680
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Orange,Los Alamitos,90630
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Orange,San Clemente,92624
Orange,San Clemente,92672
Orange,San Clemente,92673
Orange,San Clemente,92675
Orange,San Juan Capistrano
Orange,San Juan Capistrano,92624
Orange,San Juan Capistrano,92673
Orange,San Juan Capistrano,92675
Orange,San Juan Capistrano,92677
Orange,Santa Ana,92614
Orange,Santa Ana,92701
Orange,Santa Ana,92703
Orange,Santa Ana,92704
Orange,Santa Ana,92705
Orange,Santa Ana,92706
Orange,Santa Ana,92707
Orange,Santa Ana,92780
Orange,Santa Ana,92843
Orange,Santa Ana,92866
Orange,Santa Ana,92868
Orange,Seal Beach,90720
Orange,Seal Beach,90740
Orange,Seal Beach,90742
Orange,Seal Beach,90743
Orange,Seal Beach,92647
Orange,Seal Beach,92649
Orange,Stanton,90680
Orange,Stanton,92804
Orange,Stanton,92841
Orange,Tustin,92602
Orange,Tustin,92606
Orange,Tustin,92705
Orange,Tustin,92780
Orange,Tustin,92782
Orange,Villa Park,92861
Orange,Villa Park,92867
Orange,Villa Park,92869
Orange,Westminster,92647
Orange,Westminster,92655
Orange,Westminster,92683
Orange,Westminster,92708
Orange,Westminster,92841
Orange,Yorba Linda,92807
Orange,Yorba Linda,92808
Orange,Yorba Linda,92870
Orange,Yorba Linda,92886
Orange,Yorba Linda,92887