Known as a quiet city between Fullerton and Yorba Linda, Placentia lives up to its motto, ‘A pleasant place to live.’ “Placentia is a unique little town with a lot of family things to do. There’s not a lot of nightlife. That’s in Yorba Linda,” says Connie Quinn, listing agent and owner at Impact Properties with over 40 years of experience. “All the towns are connected in the area, but each has a different feel. Yorba Linda is more upscale, and Brea is younger and trendier. Fullerton has horse trails and a state university. Placentia is homey and friendly, a really well put together community where people don’t leave much.” Incorporated in 1926 with 500 citizens, the bedroom community has grown to over 52,000 residents, according to the 2023 Census. This Inland Empire area was once orange groves but became a major orange processing operation along the Santa Fe Railroad corridor. Today, stands of citrus trees dot the city along with large green spaces, shopping options and convenient access to three significant highways. Placentia is also less than 8 miles from Anaheim’s most famous destination, Disneyland.
Marching bands from various schools participate in the Placentia Heritage Festival parade.
The Placentia Heritage Festival has many vendors and draws large crowds.
Get some exercise at Sante Fe Park of Placentia.
Visit Disneyland for a day of adventure and fun.
1/4
Regional parks and historic sites in Orange County
Orange County maintains 60,000 acres of parkland, 82 located in Placentia. Regional parks and historic sites are throughout the city, including Tri-City Park and the George Key Ranch Historic Park. Tri-City Regional Park occupies 40 acres at the city’s northern border. Its 8-acre lake is stocked with catfish and bluegill and attracts various water birds during migratory periods. A walkway winds around the lake and park, while a playground and picnic areas round out the space’s offerings. The George Key Ranch Historic Park has morphed from an 1893 citrus farm into a 2-acre green space with a small museum, a botanical garden and citrus trees. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and showcases original citriculture farm tools and equipment.
In nearby Anaheim, the Adventure Lagoon features the fourth largest inflatable obstacle course in the U.S. and a kid’s zone with pedal boats and trampolines. The aqua park also has a bouncing dome, giant slides and a climbing arena called the ‘Thunderdome.’
Many people enjoy the quiet sounds of nature while fishing at the nearby Tri-City Park.
George Key Ranch Historic Park is located in Placentia, near Bastanchury Road.
George Key Ranch Historic Park showcases Placentia's citrus farming heritage beautifully.
Placentia Champions Sports Park holds baseball games for residents.
1/4
Dining options, Old Town Placentia and shopping destinations
Japanese, Mexican, classic American and national chain restaurants cluster along Placentia Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard. Nearby cities like Yorba Linda, Anaheim and Fullerton have numerous eateries that cover a range of price points. Chain supermarkets and specialty grocery stores area also spread around area. Downtown Placentia is a revitalizing area with locally owned shops and eateries. Occupying roughly six blocks, Old Town, as it’s known, has Mexican restaurants, a brewery, clothing stores and lots of parking. Each December, the Tamale Festival starts the holiday season with a community tree lighting, live entertainment, a beer garden and tons of tamales.
Placentia Village Plaza is one of several shopping centers along Yorba Linda Boulevard. It features eateries, professional services and boutiques. Across Kraemer Boulevard, the Placentia Certified Farmers Market features over 30 vendors every Tuesday year-round. Five miles north in Brea, the Brea Mall is an expansive indoor shopping destination with over 175 department stores, specialty shops and regional and national restaurants.
The Placentia Fresh Farmers Market Tamale stand is famous.
Brea Mall has many popular vendors including the Apple Store.
Placentia Village Plaza offers shopping, dining, and community gathering spaces.
Residents enjoy a mix of suburban comfort and access to nearby urban amenities.
1/4
Rising Placentia property values for established housing and new constructions
Over 86% of the housing here was built between 1940 and 1999, creating an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Nearly 60% are single-family dwellings with two to four bedrooms, while townhouses and manufactured homes make up another 15%. There is still plenty of new construction happening also. All housing appreciated by more than 8% in 2024. Some of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods include Old Town Placentia and its vintage bungalows, Alta Vista South and its luxury homes and Placentia Lake for its scenic views. Homes sell for a median price of $1 million, over twice the $400,000 national average.
Bungalows of colorful yards line the streets of Downtown Placentia.
Placentia's manufactured homes provide affordable living with modern amenities.
Larger lots offer special customizations on this Ranch Home in Placentia.
Pushing the stroller past little libraries and Ranch homes in Placentia.
1/4
High graduation rates and a variety of programs at the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District operates 34 campuses with a combined 23,000 students. According to Niche, it earned an A-plus ranking and has been designated the 32nd-best school district in California. Its 95% graduation rate is higher than the state’s average of around 80%. There are several free and fee-based programs like after-school enrichment, preschool and seasonal camps ranging from extended elementary to AVID Bridge. The district also oversees an international program for visiting students, allowing them to study at one of its four comprehensive high schools for one year.
California State University-Fullerton borders Placentia’s western side and has 110 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Nearly 42,000 students were enrolled in 2023’s Fall semester, a far cry from the 452 students who attended the first classes on campus in 1959. Plus, Fullerton College, the oldest California community college that has continually served students since 1913 is also right next door.
Cal State Fullerton College is a high rated school in bringing value to the neighborhood.
Valencia High School is home to Placentia's Tigers.
Melrose Elementary School opened in 2004 and is located in Placentia.
Placentia College offers diverse programs and fosters a supportive learning environment.
1/4
Multiple highways, the Orange County Transportation Authority and nearby airports
Highways 57, 91 and 90 are the city’s most significant roadways, taking people to Anaheim, Yorba Linda or Interstate 5, which leads 37 miles to Los Angeles. The town has a largely gridded street network with bike lanes and a collection of sidewalks, making the city more accessible. Orange County Transportation Authority operates bus routes through the city and connects to routes 4 miles away in Fullerton or 5 miles away in Anaheim. The average daily commute time from Placentia is 30 minutes one-way, slightly longer than the national average of 27 minutes. There can be significant traffic noise along Highway 57 during busy times. However, the city implemented a quiet zone to dampen noise pollution along its freight train tracks. Placentia is also convenient for world travelers. It’s 16 miles from John Wayne Airport, 28 miles from Ontario International Airport and 38 miles from Los Angeles International Airport.
UCI Health-Placentia, major industries and area employers
UCI Health-Placentia is the city’s primary medical center. In addition to being a teaching hospital, it also has an emergency room, cardiac center and a diagnostic imaging department. The hospital helps make healthcare one of Placentia’s most prominent industries, with UCI Health-Placentia being a major area employer. Education and manufacturing are other significant industries, with notable employers like Hartwell, Premedia, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and the city itself.
UCI Health Medical Center provides advanced care and services for the community.
Hartwell Corporation in Placentia specializes in manufacturing aerospace components.
UCI Medical Center in Placentia is renowned for its innovative treatments and research.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda School District is known for academic excellence and growth.
1/4
Mild weather, earthquakes and below-average crime rates
Winters in Placentia are long and cool, while summers are short, hot and arid. Rainfall averages between 14 and 17 inches annually, with 276 sunny days yearly. People are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution around 11 days yearly. Everyone is advised to wear masks when air quality warnings are in effect to avoid breathing problems and throat irritation. The area is also moderately seismically active and experiences tremors under a magnitude of seven year-round.
The city’s violent and property crime rates are lower than the California and national averages. Violent crime is 54% lower and personal property is 25% lower than the state.
Reon began working at Boydstun Realty in 2002. After successfully running her own printing business, All-Star Printing, Reon helped Phyllis expand the company, and has since overseen transactions in Anaheim, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, and beyond. She incorporated the company in 2016.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
