California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Mission Viejo, California

Population: 96,102

Located in Orange County

Although not a fledged city for too many years, Mission Viejo is steeped in a tradition that dates back to the vanishing days of men on horses driving cattle. Nearly 25 years ago, the Mission Viejo Co. bought a 10,000-acre section of Rancho Mission Viejo from the O'Neill family, which once owned much of the land from Oceanside to El Toro.

The company would create a master plan for a community, specifying the number of parks, homes, recreational activities and retail spaces. The rolling hills of the valley, home to a sea of grazing cattle, soon would also become home to seekers of "The California Promise." Currently, over 96,000 people call Mission Viejo home.

Through it all there has been the powerful guiding hand of the Mission Viejo Co. The company not only laid the groundwork for a planned city, but also helped to develop community activities and created a Mission Viejo identity. The company was a major sponsor of floats in the Rose Parade, Fourth of July displays at Lake Mission Viejo, St. Patrick's Day parades and the internationally recognized Nadadores swim team.

But since Mission Viejo became a city on March 31, 1988, the company has begun withdrawing its heavy financial support of community activities. And with Mission Viejo development nearly completed, the company has begun looking across the San Diejo (I-5) Freeway to nurture its new planned community of Mission Viejo. In 1974, the community formed a Municipal Advisory Council to keep track of local issues and serve as the eyes and ears of the County Board of Supervisors.

Mission Viejo is located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, along the east side of Interstate 5. Mission Viejo is known for its beautiful lake that has fishing, swimming and small boating open only to its 90,000 residents. The climate is Mediterranean and the two school districts serving the city are award winning. There are multi-denominational churches, a diversity of jobs, state of the art medical centers, and outstanding sports & recreational facilities that have produced Olympic athletes. The city is home to an abundance of parks and recreational facilities, while conveniently located close to the Pacific coastline.

Mission Viejo Nadadores
Offering a year-round program of controlled competitive progression from novice through senior-level swimming. Swimmers train in an atmosphere that reinforces high self-esteem, self-motivation, physical fitness and respect for others.

Kaleidoscope Courtyards
Open courtyard, 3 story entertainment/shopping complex. Live music on weekend nights along with a movie theater and multiple restaurants make this a happening place for all.

Saddleback College
Saddleback College has the most comprehensive and diverse Academic Programs available in Orange County. They have a wide variety of Advanced Technology and Applied Science Programs including Aviation, Marine Science, Computer Science, Fashion Design and more. Also offering Community Education programs.

The Shops at Mission Viejo
A showcase mall with Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and a consolidated, remodeled and expanded Robinsons-May. Visit the new Dining Veranda and 2 new restaurants, California Cafe Bar & Grill and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.

Photo courtesy of http://ci.mission-viejo.ca.us/depts/rcs/index.html