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About Trabuco Canyon, CA

About Trabuco Canyon, CA

Neighborhood at the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains

Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Ana Range is the quaint mountain town of Trabuco Canyon, which is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation. “The isolation makes people gravitate to this place,” says Trabuco General Store employee Timothy Mooshagian. “It feels like a totally different world, even compared to nearby communities like Robinson Ranch or Rancho Santa Margarita. You don’t have these big housing developments; the ambiance is much more rustic.” Part of this Orange County neighborhood lies within the Cleveland National Forest, which covers more than 700 square miles of natural terrain and features dozens of trials for hiking, horseback riding and biking. Students in this area are served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which receives an A rating from Niche. California State Route 241 runs just south of the neighborhood and connects residents to surrounding Orange County communities, including the nearby cities of Santa Ana and Irvine.

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Trabuco Canyon residents are greeted by an old water tank with the neighborhood name.
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Trabuco Canyon is a mountain town nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ana mountain range.
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Custom homes on large acreage properties

Locals can find a range of homes throughout the Trabuco Canyon neighborhood. Some of the more common residential styles include ranchers and custom-built properties with Craftsman and farmhouse-style architecture, such as gambrel roofs, stone facades and asymmetrical compositions. There are also a handful of private communities in the area, including the Santiago Canyon Estates, which feature a number of large acreage properties reflecting a mix of Mediterranean, New Traditional and Craftsman homes that typically cost between $2 million and $3 million. Outside private estate communities, the median price of homes in this neighborhood hovers around $1.2 million. Because of the rural landscape and mountainous terrain, a number of homeowners also have equestrian stables on their property, as many residents use horses for both recreational purposes and for getting around the community.

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You can find many craftsman-style homes in Trabuco Canyon.
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Trabuco Canyon is homes to several large mansions sitting atop the hills.
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Hike through O’Neill Regional Park and the Santa Ana Mountains

There’s no doubt that the Trabuco area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Because of the neighborhood’s proximity to the Cleveland National Forest and Santa Ana Mountains, locals here can hike, bike or ride horseback up Trabuco Creek Road Trail and connect a vast network of hiking trails. At O’Neill Regional Park, residents can find over 4,000 acres of natural land full of trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and campgrounds equipped with equestrian-friendly amenities like horse corrals. Just north of the neighborhood is the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans approximately 12 acres throughout the nearby Modjeska Canyon. Visitors can explore a natural history center and go birdwatching on one of the sanctuary’s observation decks.

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Trabuco Canyon residents can enjoy a bike ride on the trails of O'Neill Regional Park.
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O'Neill Regional Park has miles of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails.
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Tie-cutting tradition at Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse

For quick convenience, residents here can head to the Trabuco General Store for a selection of cold drinks and snacks. To enjoy a night out, locals dine at Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse, although they’re always careful not to wear their favorite tie. “It’s a tradition,” says Mooshagian. “They’ve been doing it since I was a kid. If you wear a tie to Trabuco Oaks, they cut it off and hang it on the rafters. There are some celebrity ties up there.” Residents can also head next door to Rose Canyon Cantina Grill, which serves authentic Mexican food and margaritas on a canopied outdoor patio. Trabuco Canyon is less than 5 miles away from the shopping centers of central Rancho Santa Margarita, home to multiple grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Pavilions, dozens of department stores and boutiques, and a diverse selection of culinary offerings — not to mention the local outpost of Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas.

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Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse is a go-to restaurant for residents in Trabuco Canyon.
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Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse in Trabuco Canyon is known for it's large portions and generous sides.
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Med-Sci Program offered at Trabuco Hills High School

Young learners in this neighborhood can attend Trabuco Elementary or Trabuco Mesa Elementary School, two primary institutions that receive A-minus and A ratings, respectively. For students in grades seven and eight, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate is an A-rated middle school that offers a number of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, including Digital Film Studies, Culinary Arts and STEM programs. Finally, secondary students can head to the A-rated Trabuco Hills High School and find several specialty programs, such as the International Baccalaureate program and a three-year Med-Sci program that focuses on educating students about the health sciences.

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Trabuco Hills High School is home of the Mustangs.
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Trabuco Elementary School in Trabuco Canyon is in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
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The teachers and staff are top notch at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School.
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Annual Trabuco Canyon Parade celebrates the 4th of July

For more than 50 years, locals have celebrated the Annual Trabuco Canyon 4th of July Parade, which starts in front of the Trabuco General Store and marches through the town. Parade-goers can also enjoy raffles, face-painting and a variety of refreshments. This neighborhood is also home to Rancho Las Lomas, a private event venue and retreat with a botanical garden that is often reserved for weddings and large parties.

Andrew Moreno
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Tyler Hall
Video By
Tyler Hall

Neighborhood Map

Trabuco Canyon by the Numbers

73,070
Population
$1.34M
Average Housing Value
28
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Trabuco Canyon, CA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Chaparral Elementary School
#1 Chaparral Elementary School
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Castille Elementary School
#2 Castille Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Ladera Ranch Elementary School
#3 Ladera Ranch Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Las Flores Middle School
#4 Las Flores Middle School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Philip J. Reilly Elementary
#5 Philip J. Reilly Elementary
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Portola Hills Elementary School
#6 Portola Hills Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Wagon Wheel Elementary School
#7 Wagon Wheel Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Esencia Middle School
#8 Esencia Middle School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Tijeras Creek Elementary School
#9 Tijeras Creek Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Ladera Ranch Middle School
#1 Ladera Ranch Middle School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Las Flores Middle School
#2 Las Flores Middle School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Newhart Middle School
#3 Newhart Middle School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Esencia Middle School
#4 Esencia Middle School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Arroyo Vista K-8
#5 Arroyo Vista K-8
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
La Paz Intermediate School
#6 La Paz Intermediate School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School
#7 Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Serrano Intermediate School
#8 Serrano Intermediate School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Terra Cotta Middle School
#9 Terra Cotta Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Capistrano Valley High School
#1 Capistrano Valley High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
San Juan Hills High School
#2 San Juan Hills High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Tesoro High School
#3 Tesoro High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Mission Viejo High School
#4 Mission Viejo High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Trabuco Hills High School
#5 Trabuco Hills High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
El Modena High School
#6 El Modena High School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
El Toro High School
#7 El Toro High School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Lakeside High School
#8 Lakeside High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

St. John's Episcopal School
#1 St. John's Episcopal School
A+
Niche
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
#2 Santa Margarita Catholic High School
A
Niche
St. Serra Catholic School
#3 St. Serra Catholic School
A-
Niche
Kingdom Life Academy
#4 Kingdom Life Academy
Montessori of Ladera Ranch School
#5 Montessori of Ladera Ranch School
RSM Christian School
#6 RSM Christian School
Rancho Viejo Montessori School
#7 Rancho Viejo Montessori School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Sylvia Adams
(951) 848-5305
Helping clients buy and sell with confidence since 2016. With nearly a decade of experience, I bring warmth, integrity, and top-tier service to every transaction. I'm not your typical real estate professional. For me, success isn’t measured in sales, but in smiles. My passion lies in people — helping them navigate one of life’s biggest decisions with confidence, care, and a positive experience from the very first handshake to the final signature… and long after.

As a former business owner, I bring a strong foundation of discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I understand what it takes to succeed: high-quality service, attention to detail, and a client-first mindset. My platinum standard of customer care stems from my deep devotion to my family, faith and community, and I treat each client like part of that extended family.

Whether I'm facilitating a real estate transaction or hosting a family gathering, I find joy in bringing people together and being a trusted partner in their happiness. My energy, empathy, and dedication make me a standout choice in the housing market.

When I'm not going above and beyond for my clients, I enjoy time with my loved ones, staying active in my community, gardening, and giving new life to vintage furniture.
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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.