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About Yorba Linda, CA

About Yorba Linda, CA

A distinguished suburb in the hills of Orange County

Known as “The Land of Gracious Living,” Yorba Linda’s suburban lifestyle garners acclaim among its 66,000 residents as well as major publications. It has earned a spot in CNN’s best places to live in the U.S. and Money Magazine’s ranking of America's best small cities. Nestled against untouched rolling hills, Yorba Linda is known for its views of the Santa Ana Valley and the Santa Ana Mountains. “You get absolutely spectacular views up here compared to the rest of Orange County, which is pretty flat,” says Realtor Jacquelene Kan with Universal Elite Inc., who’s been selling in the area for almost 20 years. Along with the scenery, this bedroom community is highly desirable for its well-regarded school system. “It's a very wholesome environment for families or for anybody. Probably the biggest draw is really good schools,” says Realtor Carole Geronsin, who works for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties and has over four decades of experience in the area.

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Gatherings like Love Yorba Linda, show how much the community enjoys living here.
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Yorba Linda Main Street is a walk through history and the gracious living of the city.
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Families are welcomed by the whimsical statue of the Yorba Linda Library.
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East Lake in Yorba Linda has beautiful rolling hills in the horizon.
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Ranch-style homes and mansions in Yorba Linda

Centered around the main throughfare of Yorba Linda Boulevard, which has most of the city’s retail, Yorba Linda is otherwise residential. The suburb has many subdivisions and cul-de-sacs of single-family homes, which often have views of the hills or the mountains. Here the midcentury ranch-style homes, often updated or remodeled, cost around $1 million. On the north and west ends, HOA communities in the hills are climbing in price, with contemporary mansions that cost around $4 million. These often feature overlooks of Orange County, pools and wine cellars. Yorba Linda’s median sales price is $1.35 million, with homes on the market for an average of 27 days, compared to the national average of 44 days. The foothills directly north of the city have a major wildfire threat, which can cause property damage, but the city is prepared to evacuate its residents in an emergency.

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Ranch homes come in modest sizes within Yorba Linda, but renovations can bring high values.
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Yorba Linda homes sell faster at just 27 days, which is lower than the national average.
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The East Lake community established in 1978 has docks for lakeside residents.
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Homes in the Yorba Linda area can rise to multi-million-dollar mansions.
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A wide array of recreation, including hiking at Chino Hills State Park

With over a dozen city parks, Yorba Linda offers accessible recreation to everyone, with playgrounds and athletic fields only a few miles from most homes. The city’s most popular outdoor space is Chino Hills State Park, which borders the entire northern side of Yorba Linda. This 14,000-acre wilderness park offers trails for hiking and mountain biking, where locals can see California poppy superblooms, plus overlooks of the rolling hills and the Santa Ana Mountains. It's also a prime spot for wildlife watching, including mountain lions, tarantulas and roadrunners. At the Phillip S. Paxton Equestrian Center, on the west side of Yorba Linda, locals can bring their horses to an arena. There are also staging areas on the community’s north side. The Black Gold Golf Club is another highlight on Yorba Linda’s northern edge, with a public 18-hole course and a restaurant with a patio.

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Horse trails and equestrian facilities are embedded in Yorba Linda's city planning.
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Birds thrive along the trails and hills of Yorba Linda.
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Yorba Linda residents can play a game of hoops at the well-maintained Jessamyn West Park.
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Yorba Linda residents practice their swings at Black Gold Golf Club open 7 days a week.
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The award-winning Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

“So many people move here for the school district, it’s definitely in the running for the best in Orange County,” says Kan. “I’d confidently say it’s a 10 out of 10.” The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has an A-plus on Niche. It earns more A-plus ratings in teachers and college prep. Four of its elementary schools earned California Distinguished School awards in 2023. For nearby higher education, there’s Chapman University and California State University, Fullerton.

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CSUF offers a wide curriculum close to Yorba Linda.
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Yorba Linda High School's football team has been Crestview Champs multiple times.
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Yorba Linda Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 towards bright futures.
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Glenview Elementary Bulldogs have grade A- learning according to Niche.
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The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, plus more attractions and events

As the birthplace of former U.S. President Richard Nixon, Yorba Linda's biggest attraction is the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, located on the western side of town. The exhibits tell the story of the 37th president’s life, with the whole complex built around his childhood home and burial site. On the eastern side of the city, the Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch Museum displays artifacts from Yorba Linda’s past, dating back to the 1800s. The city’s events, often kid-friendly, include the monthly Family Art Experience craft nights. Residents can create paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center in the western part of the community. At the Yorba Linda Community Center, located a mile west of the arts center, there are seasonal festivities like Breakfast with Santa, which includes holiday crafts and photo ops with Mr. Claus.

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Nixon Library first opened in 1990, and continues its fanfare with patriotic events.
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Families love the artificial snow at the many Holiday events of Yorba Linda.
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Chino Hills State Park Center and amphitheater teaches conservation in Yorba Linda.
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Creative Babe Market holds family markets in Yorba Linda and much of the surrounding area.
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Historic Main Street retail and multiple strip malls, including Yorba Linda Station Plaza

On the west side of Yorba Linda, there’s a small historic Main Street retail district with a few local restaurants and shops. However, the strip malls surrounding it are more popular, with grocery stores, big box stores and many diverse cuisines. The malls include Yorba Linda Station Plaza, Village Green Shopping Center and Valley View Shopping Center. There’s also the centrally located Eastlake Village Center and Yorba Canyon Center, located on the eastern side of the city. Only 10 miles to downtown Anaheim, Yorba Linda is close to more shopping and nightlife, plus Disneyland and LA Angels games.

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The Yorba Linda Farmers Market is a great place to meet neighbors and friends.
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Gracious Living on Main Street has fine home goods near tasty restaurants in Yorba Linda.
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Yorba Linda residents can get premium groceries at Bristol Farms.
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Find stacks of used reads at the Book Corner in Yorba Linda.
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30 miles from Riverside and 10 miles away from Santa Ana

Most of Yorba Linda’s residents are commuters. Via state Route 91, the city is about 30 miles away from Riverside. It’s about 10 miles from Santa Ana using state Route 55. Some residents work in the city itself at employers like Nobel Biocare and Costco. For public transportation, there are Orange County Transportation Authority bus stops along Yorba Linda Boulevard. The closest major airport, the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, is about 20 miles away.

Yorba Linda's 2023 crime rates and police department programs

Crime in Yorba Linda is low compared to the state and national standards. In 2023, the city averaged around 20 violent crimes each month per 100,000 residents, compared to 104 in broader California and around 113 in the United States. Incidents of property crime happened at a rate of 94 each month per 100,000 residents, compared to 197 in broader California and around 163 nationally. This is due to the city’s lack of large commercial areas, giving it minimal outside traffic. The Yorba Linda Police Department’s programs include Above the Influence, preventing youth substance abuse, and the Drug Take Back Program, which gathers unused expired medication.

Anna Anderson
Written By
Anna Anderson
Christiaan Cruz
Photography Contributed By
Christiaan Cruz
Mallory Nolte
Video By
Mallory Nolte

Neighborhood Map

Yorba Linda by the Numbers

65,269
Population
$1.53M
Average Housing Value
31
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Yorba Linda, CA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Bryant Ranch Elementary School
#1 Bryant Ranch Elementary School
10
GreatSchools
Butterfield Ranch Elementary School
#2 Butterfield Ranch Elementary School
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Golden Elementary School
#3 Golden Elementary School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Fairmont Elementary
#4 Fairmont Elementary
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Glenknoll Elementary
#5 Glenknoll Elementary
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Linda Vista Elementary School
#6 Linda Vista Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Mabel M. Paine Elementary
#7 Mabel M. Paine Elementary
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Running Springs Elementary
#8 Running Springs Elementary
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Lakeview Elementary School
#9 Lakeview Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Yorba Linda Middle School
#1 Yorba Linda Middle School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle School
#2 Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Robert O. Townsend Junior High School
#3 Robert O. Townsend Junior High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Kraemer Middle School
#4 Kraemer Middle School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Travis Ranch Middle School
#5 Travis Ranch Middle School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Bernardo Yorba Middle School
#6 Bernardo Yorba Middle School
A
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Yorba Linda High School
#1 Yorba Linda High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Canyon High School
#2 Canyon High School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Valencia High School
#3 Valencia High School
A+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Chino Hills High School
#4 Chino Hills High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
El Dorado High School
#5 El Dorado High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Heritage Oak Private Elementary School
#1 Heritage Oak Private Elementary School
A+
Niche
Friends Christian School
#2 Friends Christian School
Ivycrest Montessori Private School - Yorba Linda
#3 Ivycrest Montessori Private School - Yorba Linda
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
#4 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Michael Mattson
(657) 232-8688
Thank you for considering me as your personal real estate agent. I’m very enthusiastic to assist you with your real estate needs.

With over 50 years of success, my areas of expertise include residential properties, non-owner-occupied investment property, real estate auctions, vacant lots, first-time buyers, and commercial properties. I take great pride in assisting military families with their housing needs and provide exceptional service to all my clients.

My goal is to make the buying, selling, or renting process as seamless and stress-free as possible, ensuring that your real estate experience is both rewarding and enjoyable.

I have extensive experience in all types of markets. My real-estate journey started in 1972 while residing in Battle Creek, Michigan and I’m a proud member of the LIDO Real Estate team for the last 18 years. Clients stated I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping clients achieve their real-estate goals.

My team and I are confident in our ability to meet and exceed your expectations while looking forward to the opportunity to meet you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or to discuss your real estate needs in detail.

I am excited about the prospect of helping you achieve your real estate dreams, goals, and desires.

Regards,
Mike
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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.