Mission Viejo, California
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 33.609600, -117.655000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool winters.
Population: 588540
Language: English
Mission Viejo is a city located in the southern part of Orange County, California, United States. The city is known for its beautiful parks and lakes, As well as its family-friendly atmosphere. It was incorporated in 1988 and has since become one of the most sought-after places to live in Orange County. The city’s name comes from Rancho Mission Viejo, A large Spanish land grant that encompassed much of what is now southern Orange County. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes before being settled by Spanish missionaries in the late 1700s.
Today, Mission Viejo has a population of around 96, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 18 square miles. It is home to several top-rated schools and colleges such as Saddleback College which offers over 190 associate degree programs. Its residents enjoy a high quality of life with low crime rates, Excellent public services and ample job opportunities. One of the most notable features of Mission Viejo is Lake Mission Viejo – a man-made lake that covers over 120 acres with two beaches for swimming or sunbathing.
The lake also offers fishing opportunities for bass, Catfish and trout throughout the year. Another popular attraction in Mission Viejo is Oso Creek Trail – an eight-mile trail that winds through scenic parks and natural habitats filled with wildlife such as deer, Rabbits and birds. Along the way there are picnic areas where visitors can relax while enjoying views of nature.
For those who enjoy shopping or dining out there are many options available at The Shops at Mission Viejo – one of Southern California’s premier shopping destinations with over 150 stores including Macy’s Nordstroms amongst others offering everything from fashion to electronics to home décor products. Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center provides exceptional healthcare services to residents in South Orange County including emergency care facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology providing patients access to top-notch medical care when needed.
Mission Viejo is a beautiful and thriving city that offers its residents a high quality of life with numerous recreational opportunities, Excellent schools, Ample job opportunities and great public services. It has something to offer for everyone from nature lovers to shopping enthusiasts. Its friendly community and family-oriented atmosphere make it an ideal place to live or visit in Southern California.
- Lake Mission Viejo
- Oso Creek Trail
- Mission Viejo Farmers Market
- Marguerite Aquatic Complex
- The Shops at Mission Viejo
- Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club
- Saddleback College Performing Arts Center
- Norman P Murray Community and Senior Center
- Casta del Sol Golf Course
- Melinda Heights Elementary School Butterfly Garden
- Healthcare: Mission Hospital is the largest employer in the city, providing healthcare services to residents.
- Retail: The Shops at Mission Viejo is a popular shopping destination featuring over 150 stores.
- Education: Saddleback College and Capistrano Valley High School are two of the largest educational institutions in the area.
- Technology: Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Quest Software are among several technology companies with offices in Mission Viejo.
- Real estate: Due to high demand for housing, many real estate companies operate within Mission Viejo.
- Hospitality: Several hotels and resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa are located within or near Mission Viejo.
- Finance: Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, among other banks and financial institutions have branches or offices located here.
- Professional services: Many professional service firms operate within the city such as law firms, accounting firms, consulting companies etc.
- The Juaneno Band of Mission Indians: The Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, is a federally recognized tribe that has lived in Orange County for thousands of years.
- Rancho Mission Viejo: In 1845, Governor Pio Pico granted nearly 200,000 acres to Don Joaquín Alfonso Avila for his service as a soldier and administrator under Spanish rule. This land became known as Rancho Mission Viejo and was used primarily for cattle ranching.
- Richard O’Neill Sr.: In 1887, Richard O’Neill Sr., an Irish immigrant who had made his fortune in mining and real estate investments, purchased Rancho Mission Viejo from Avila’s heirs for $220,000.
- Saddleback College: Saddleback College opened its doors in September 1968 on what was once part of Rancho Mission Viejo’s cattle grazing land.
- Lake Mission Viejo: Lake Mission Viejo is an artificial lake created by damming Trabuco Creek in 1976-77 by developer Mark Hughes as part of his master-planned community development project that would later become known as Mission Viejo.
- Nadia Comăneci: Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci trained at Gym-Max Gymnastics Club located on Alicia Parkway during her time living in Southern California after defecting from Romania during her heyday.
- Tony Reagins: Tony Reagins is a former Major League Baseball executive who served as the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels from 2007-2011.
- Kina Grannis: Kina Grannis is a singer-songwriter and YouTuber who gained fame after winning the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest in 2008.
- Brian Goodell: Brian Goodell is a former Olympic swimmer who won two gold medals at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
- Mark McGwire: Mark McGwire, former Major League Baseball player known for his home run hitting ability, lived in Mission Viejo during his playing days with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.
- Mission San Juan Capistrano
- The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center
- Oso Creek Trail and Nature Preserve
- Saddleback College Art Gallery
- Mission Viejo Library
- Heritage Hill Historical Park
- The Shops at Mission Viejo
- Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club
- Marguerite Aquatics Complex
- Lake Mission Viejo
- Mission Viejo High School Diablos: This high school has an impressive athletic program with numerous state championships in football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming.
- Capistrano Valley High School Cougars: Another local high school with a strong athletic program that has won state championships in football and boys’ basketball.
- Saddleback College Gauchos: The community college’s athletic program has won many conference championships across a variety of sports.
- Mission Viejo Nadadores: A competitive swim team that has produced several Olympic medalists over the years.
- Mission Viejo Little League: A youth baseball league that competes in the Little League World Series annually.
- South Coast Soccer League: A youth soccer league catering to all age groups and skill levels.
- Mission Viejo Youth Basketball Association: A youth basketball league open to boys and girls of all ages.
- Saddleback Valley PONY Baseball: Another youth baseball league with teams for kids of all ages and skill levels.
Overall, Mission Viejo is committed to supporting local sports programs at both the high school and community level, helping young athletes develop their skills while fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie within the community.
- Mission Viejo Film Festival
- Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair
- Mission Viejo Arts Alive & Street Painting Festival
- Fourth of July Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular
- Día de los Muertos Celebration at the Mission Viejo Library
- Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Kite Festival at Saddleback College
- Summer Concert Series in the Park
- Shakespeare by the Sea performances in Oso Viejo Community Park
- Mission Fest, a community festival showcasing local businesses and organizations
- The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar is a well-known spot in Mission Viejo, popular for its creative American cuisine and craft cocktails.
- Urban Plates is a restaurant that offers healthy and delicious meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ is loved by locals for its authentic Southern-style barbecue dishes.
- O’Neill’s Bar & Grill is a sports bar that serves classic pub fare such as burgers, wings, and beer on tap.
- Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria & Tap Room is a must-visit for pizza lovers, offering deep-dish pies and a wide selection of craft beers on tap.
- Matsu Restaurant is famous for its sushi rolls, teriyaki dishes, and bento boxes in Japanese cuisine.
- Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is a popular chain restaurant serving up fresh Mexican cuisine such as burritos, tacos, and salads made to order.
- Bagels & Brew is the local favorite spot for breakfast or lunch sandwiches made with freshly baked bagels topped with gourmet toppings.
- Fish District focuses on seafood-based dishes featuring poke bowls along with tacos & sandwiches.
- Taco Mesa serves up Mexican cuisine including street tacos plus vegan options to cater to everyone’s needs!
- Oso Viejo Community Park offers a variety of recreational activities, including sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
- Florence Joyner Olympiad Park features a large lake with fishing and boating opportunities, as well as sports fields and picnic areas.
- Marguerite Aquatic Center has multiple pools for swimming and water activities, as well as a diving board and water slides.
- Alicia Park includes sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
- Crucero Park is a small park that has a playground area for children to enjoy.
- Pinecrest Park has sports fields for soccer and baseball games along with a playground area for kids to enjoy.
- Melinda Park is another local favorite that features basketball courts along with other recreational facilities like tennis courts or baseball diamonds making it an ideal location for people of all ages to come together in one place!
