One of the country's first and largest master-planned communities
Situated in the Saddleback Valley area of Orange County, Mission Viejo is a suburban city on the southern end of the Los Angeles Metro Area. Primarily a residential bedroom community, it's one of the country's first and largest master-planned communities, with a population of over 90,000. The city is known to be family-friendly, with an outstanding safety record and some of the best schools in the state. "Mission Viejo is a really unique city surrounded by the mountains," says Mayor Trish Kelley, who moved to the city in 1977. "We're focused on outdoor recreation and athletics, as well as the arts. I would say we're very well-rounded." One of the city's standout outdoor destinations is Lake Mission Viejo, a recreational reservoir on the Oso Creek. The lake, about a mile in length, is a beautiful place to rent a boat or attend concerts in the summer. "There is always something going on at the lake in the summer, and stuff is happening in the city almost daily. There is always something to do," Kelley says.
Mission Viejo is a rich and vibrant master-planned city with many activities and recreation.
Enjoy a round at the Oso Creek Golf Course, which also has views of the mountains.
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Tree-lined streets and lakeside homes with docks and boats
In September 2024, the median home price in Mission Viejo was around $1.2 million, compared to around $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California. Though pricing is expensive by any standards, buying a home in the city is a good investment — values were up nearly 15% yearly. There is a mix of housing, from single-family to condos and townhomes. Famous for its quiet, tree-lined streets, Mission Viejo has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for its efforts to preserve and protect its urban forest. The city comprises dozens of neighborhoods and planned communities for families, adults and seniors. “There are some beautiful areas around Lake Mission Viejo, lakeside homes with docks and boats,” Kelley says. “We are a hilly city, so many of our homes have views of the Saddleback Mountains or look out over open space.” It’s primarily single-family homes in Madrid Central, a community with homes built around the midpoint of the 20th century. The contemporary or traditional designs have three to five bedrooms and up to three bathrooms. There are single-family homes and townhouses with one to three bedrooms in Casta Del Sol. California Crest is a decidedly upscale neighborhood of contemporary homes built in the early-to-mid 1990s. Homes are midsized, with up to four bedrooms; many have Mediterranean influence.
Streets in Mission Viejo are lined with trees and some areas have views of the mountains.
Homes around Lake Mission Viejo can be large and luxurious with private docks and boats.
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Capistrano Unified is one of the best districts in the state
The city of Mission Viejo is served by the Capistrano Unified School District, which is graded A-plus by Niche, and Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which is graded A. Capistrano Unified serves over 48,000 students, while Saddleback Valley serves around 24,000. Both districts offer dual immersion programs, including a Mandarin language program that begins in kindergarten and runs through middle and high school. Mission Viejo has school choice, so parents have options when deciding where to send their children, whether an IB or immersion school. “The schools are a big draw to the city. Even nonparents are drawn to the school districts here because they’re great for home values,” Kelley says. “There are National Blue Ribbon Schools among the 23 schools in the city. And our three high schools are all award winning in one way or another.”
Saddleback College is another educational standout in the city. "This is a very respected community college with a beautiful campus," Kelley says. "They've got an excellent nursing program and a brand-new football stadium." About 16,000 students are enrolled at Saddleback.
La Paz Intermediate School is a public school in Mission Viejo, serving students in grades 7-8.
Los Alisos Intermediate School is an accomplished school serving Mission Viejo students.
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Hiking the Oso Creek Trail and boating at Lake Mission Viejo
“Mission Viejo has 53 parks and eight recreation centers, which is unusual for a city of our size. We probably have more parks than many of the surrounding cities put together,” Kelley says. “Just about every home has a park within walking distance.” A city standout, Oso Viejo Community Park has multiple playgrounds for children of all ages with a sandy base and multiple three-story tunnel slides. Situated on over 50 acres, the park has lighted sports facilities, picnic tables, a walking trail and a senior center. “Every July or August, the Pacific Symphony performs at one of our big community parks. It’s free — people bring blankets and lawn chairs, and there are booths and activities,” Kelley says. Lake Mission Viejo may be the city’s biggest outdoor draw. The lake, which is about a mile long, has two beaches where people can come and sit in the sand and take a swim. Visitors can rent watercraft on site, including row boats, party boats, sailboats, kayaks and tandem water trikes. “We hosted the National Collegiate Triathlon and the OC Triathlon on the lake in the spring of 2024. And in the summer, they host monthly concerts, and everybody comes out,” Kelley says.
Hiking is a big deal in Mission Viejo, which has many trails with varying degrees of difficulty. The 5.5 miles of Oso Creek Trail includes easy-to-moderate routes, while Wilderness Glen’s 2.1 miles of trails can be moderate to challenging. "At Oso Creek, the trail runs along the creek, so you can hear the water flowing as you walk," Kelley says. Golf is another community highlight, as Mission Viejo has two public and one private course. The city is also a short drive from some of Southern California’s iconic beaches. Laguna Beach is known for its serene vibes and rocky cliffs, while Huntington Beach has a great surfing tradition.
Residents around Lake Mission Viejo can own or rent boats for a leisurely ride on the lake.
The Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo is a scenic walk with mature trees and native plants.
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Shopping at Kaleidoscope and dinner at Domenico's on the Lake
For shopping and dining, there are The Shops at Mission Viejo, a classic Southern California mall with nationally known retailers of fashion, electronics and home goods, as well as larger stores like Nordstrom and Macy's. Just to the north is Kaleidoscope, another mall with entertainment amenities like laser tag. The indoor/outdoor venue has a handful of restaurants, many boutique shops and live music every Friday and Saturday. The city also promotes events like a local farmers and crafts market and public art displays to beautify Mission Viejo. “We also have a few restaurants on the lake, so they have water views and indoor/outdoor seating,” Kelley says. Domenico’s on the Lake, Hacienda On The Lake and Yama Sushi & Grill are popular waterside offerings.
The Shoppes at Mission Viejo is the largest mall in the city with shopping and dining.
Domenico's Italian Restaurant is a favorite amongst locals in Mission Viejo.
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Direct access to Interstate 5 and home to Mission Hospital
Mission Viejo has direct highway access, with Interstate 5 running along the city’s western border and state Route 241 to the east. “Everybody has traffic now since our communities have grown over the last few decades, but we have synchronized lights, so traffic can be heavy, but it still flows,” Kelley says. For those who make the commute, downtown Los Angeles is about 55 miles via Interstate 405, although other Orange County locations like Anaheim, Irvine and Santa Ana are more likely commuting destinations. The city is served by Orange County Transportation Authority, which operates many bus routes. “We’re mostly car-dependent, but we have a great transportation program for seniors over 60 that makes trips all over town either for free or up to $5,” Kelley says. There is also a Metrolink stop, a rail system that connects to broader Southern California — riders can travel north to LA or south to San Diego. John Wayne Airport is about 15 miles away, a drive that can take upward of 50 minutes during unpredictable rush hours. “Mission Hospital is a real asset to our city. It’s a trauma center as well as a Children’s Hospital of Orange County,” Kelley says.
Among the safest cities in California despite the wildfire risk
Safety is a strong suit in Mission Viejo. “We have an outstanding safety record,” Kelley says. “We’re always somewhere in the top 10 for state safety rankings and had been previously ranked among the safest cities in the nation.” Violent crime is particularly low — between 2021 and 2023, there were about 25 incidents reported per 100,000 people each month, compared to about 110 in broader California and 120 nationally. Property crime happens at higher rates but is still very low. Between 2021 and 2023, about 100 incidents per 100,000 people were reported each month, compared to about 200 in broader California and 160 nationally.
Mission Viejo has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate known for warm summers, mild winters and plenty of sunshine. Summers are long and dry, and most of the annual 14 inches of rainfall occurs in the winter. Due to its location in the valley surrounded by the Saddleback Mountains, the city has a moderate risk of wildfire. “There is a risk because many of our homes are up against an arroyo, but we have never had a wildfire in Mission Viejo,” Kelley says.
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