If you’ve never been to Orange County, chances are, you’ve at least seen it on TV or the movies. The gorgeous weather, stunning landscapes, and beautiful people make it one of the most sought after locations in popular entertainment today.
Living in Orange County, you’ll experience firsthand what makes our home so irresistible to top Hollywood producers and millions of fans around the country. Here’s just a sampling of what you can expect:
- Diverse and desirable communities
Covering an area of 950 square miles, Orange County is home to over 40 incorporated and unincorporated communities, each with its own unique character and attraction. With your varied options, you can live your best life in the county surrounded by the things that matter to you the most.
If you want to be close to wilderness parks and the great outdoors, Rancho Santa Margarita is the perfect location. If you’re craving for the rustic, rural lifestyle with modern conveniences, Coto de Caza is a wonderful choice. Laguna Beach is famous for its white sand beaches, while Irvine is the place to be for fantastic shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Whatever lifestyle you want to have, there’s an Orange County community that’s right for you.
- Exciting attractions
Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, two of the most famous amusement and theme parks in the world, are both found in Orange County. And they’re not the only popular attractions you can find here. The county is also home to luxurious resorts like Monarch Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, and Montage Laguna Beach.
Other attractions include the man-made Balboa Island, where you can do a host of activities in the water and on land; and Huntington Beach Pier, also known as Surf City USA, one of the region’s most famous waterfronts. Sports buffs will love watching an MLB game at the Angel Stadium or catch the Anaheim Ducks in action at the Honda Center, while shopaholics will find retail paradise in South Coast Plaza.
- Lively arts scene
The arts is an important part of life in Orange County. Wherever you are in the area, there’s bound to be a theater, art gallery, art school, or exhibit near you. The non-profit Arts Orange County is leading the way in promoting the arts in the county, overseeing various programs to support artists and stage events and exhibits.
The City of Laguna Beach is an acknowledged art destination, boasting not only dozens of galleries but also several art-centric events, including the outdoor marketplace, Sawdust Art Festival, and the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach, which is famous for its live paintings.
The Orange County School of the Arts produces some of the finest artists in the country across all genres, including dance, theater, fine arts, and media arts. Just minutes away is the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, where you can catch big musicals, plays, concerts, and other major performances.
- A rich history
If you’re a history buff, you will love what Orange County has to offer. The region has the second highest concentration of historic sites in California, with around 125 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Mission San Juan Capistrano, which has been dubbed “The Jewel of the Missions”. Founded in 1776, the mission boasts excellently preserved buildings and gardens that are over two centuries old.
Olde Towne, Orange Historic District, is another must-visit attraction. It has a remarkable collection of vintage buildings packed in an area of just one square mile, including Chapman University and the Hilbert Museum. It has also been named a “Great Place in America” alongside New York’s Central Park, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, and others.
- Great education system
Orange County offers topnotch education opportunities for students of all ages. The Orange County Department of Education supervises over 25 school districts, including the highly-rated Laguna Beach Unified School District, Irvine Unified School District, Los Alamitos Unified School District, and more.
The county is also home to several community colleges, as well as the campuses of more than ten national universities and colleges, including Chapman University; Cal State University Fullerton; University of California, Irvine; Soka University; and Pepperdine University, Irvine.
- Amazing eats
In Orange County, we don’t just eat, we feast. The region is home to fantastic food halls that take this dining craze to the next level. Every food hall in the county offers a unique experience, starting from the gourmet offerings of curated eateries to the distinct style and ambience of each place.
Trade Food Hall in Irvine, for example, is a modern, open-air dining area with fast-casual restaurants serving everything from healthy Greek food to Belgian waffles. Meantime, Anaheim Packing District not only boasts a historic location, but also an eclectic array of gourmet merchants serving Cajun specialties, Indian food, Southern comfort food, craft cocktails, and so much more.
These dining destinations are just two examples of the superb food hall experience you can get throughout the OC.
Looking to make Orange County your home?
We at the Cordova Real Estate Group are your best guide to the perfect home that matches your needs and preferences. Call us today at 949.858.0405, or send an email to marianncordova(at)gmail(dotted)com.