Popular gated community in the hills of Orange County
One of the oldest master-planned communities in Orange County, Coto De Caza is a private, guard-gated development of roughly 4,000 homes set on over 5,000 scenic acres. In the 1960s, the community started as a hunting and equestrian club that attracted celebrity members like John Wayne and William Shatner. However, it is better known in modern pop culture as one of the original settings of "The Real Housewives of Orange County." “I used to say it’s a hidden gem, but people are starting to figure out how beautiful Coto is. It’s a small town in a big area, with kids on bikes and families walking dogs,” says Realtor Jackie Guthrie, a 12-year resident. “The biggest thing we offer as a community is safety — we’re one of the safest places in California. And everything is pristine: the parks, the trails, the homes.”
Coto de Caza is a quiet but grand neighborhood.
Coto De Caza offers golf lovers a well-maintained golf course.
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Older homes on larger lots in North Coto
In early 2025, the 12-month median price for a single-family home in Coto De Caza was around $2 million — five times the national number and well over the broader California median of $900,000. “There are two sections to the community, north and south. North Coto was built in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s with smaller homes on larger lots. South Coto is bigger homes on smaller lots, and the floor plans are better,” Guthrie says. There are also tracts of homes around the Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club — the private, 36-hole club has hosted PGA events. A four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with about 3,000 square feet will go for about $2 million, but there are some custom homes in the community priced between $5 million and $10 million. “I like to say Coto has bang for your buck. It has a high cost of entry, but they don’t have Mello-Roos, property tax rates are lower than much of Orange County, and the HOA is super low for what you get here — it’s only $353 a month,” Guthrie says.
A cupola home in Coto De Caza that adds a charming flair to the neighborhood.
Large mansions rest among the hillside in Coto De Caza, CA.
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Top-tier schools in Capistrano Unified
Capistrano Unified is a top-tier public school district graded A-plus by Niche. The district serves over 40,000 students in about 60 different schools. Wagon Wheel Elementary is a walkable community school in the development graded A by Niche, ranking it among California's best elementary schools.
Tesoro High School in Coto De Caza is the home of the Titans.
The stadium and athletic complex at Tesoro High School in Coto De Caza hosts a variety of games.
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Community walking trail connects to two major parks
Coto De Caza is rich in outdoor amenities and is only 15 miles from the Pacific Coast. Situated on over 500 acres within the community, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park is a wildlife sanctuary with hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Just to the south is Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, set on over 8,000 acres and known for nature walks and spotting wildlife. “There’s actually a trail that follows the main road all through the community and connects to Caspers and Riley, and you can take horses, ride bikes and hike. It’s a wonderful amenity,” Guthrie says.
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club offers members amazing views and luscious greenery.
Trails in Coto De Caza ride along the hilltop, offering visitors a great view of the valley.
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Private club hosts social events
The Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club is the hub of community activities. The sought-after venue hosts an ongoing schedule of events and activities, such as bingo, afternoon tea and wellness classes.
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club also includes two pools and a clubhouse.
Coto de Caza's equestrian culture can be found at the Coto Equestrian Preserve.
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Shopping and dining in nearby Rancho Santa Margarita
Entirely residential, residents must travel outside the gates of Coto De Caza for shopping and dining options. “Rancho Santa Margarita is where you’d go for retail or restaurants. It’s about a three-minute drive from North Coto and a 10-minute drive max from South Coto,” Guthrie says. For a more upscale meal or luxury shopping, Irvine is just 20 miles away.
Residents of Coto De Caza can shop at the nearby retail center.
Enjoy the ambiance of live music at Alza Italian Restaurant near Coto de Caza.
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Quick commute to surrounding Orange County
For regional orientation, Coto De Caza is about 60 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 80 miles north of downtown San Diego. The community has direct access to state Route 241, a toll road on the Foothill Transportation Corridor. “To get around the area, you’d probably take Interstate 5, only about 10 minutes from Coto,” Guthrie says. “You’re close enough to the freeway for convenience but far enough away that you don’t have to deal with the noise and traffic.” No public transportation options exist in the gated community, so a car is necessary. To catch a flight, John Wayne Airport is about 20 miles northwest of Coto.
Long, dry summers increase wildfire risk
The climate in Orange County is temperate, categorized by long, dry summers with temperatures in the mid-80s and cool, wet winters with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 60s. “The weather is very ideal here. During the summer, Coto gets hotter than Newport Beach and other locations along the coast, but it’s much cooler than anything farther inland,” Guthrie says.
Surrounded by the Saddleback Mountains, wildfire is the community’s main environmental risk. “There’s no flooding here or anything like that, but we’ve had a couple of fires that have gotten close in the last few years,” Guthrie says. “If there’s a drawback to this area, it’s that insurance is going to be more expensive than the coastal communities.”
Crime statistics were not immediately available for Coto De Caza, but the private community is behind a security gate that is manned 24 hours a day.
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