The city of Laguna Beach is well known as an affluent, seaside resort town located in Southern Orange County. A unique beach community and artist's colony with 7 miles of beaches running along its 9 square miles, residents enjoy the ambiance provided by the sandy beaches, canyons and coastal hills. During the summer, several million visitors are drawn to the resort environment for its incredible beaches, art festivals and the Pageant of the Masters. Laguna's village shopping district, bluff top walkways and tram system create a pedestrian environment whose scale is rare in Southern California.

Spread over the eastern part of the city of Anaheim, the picturesque community of Anaheim Hills covers the area south of Yorba Linda up to the Orange city border. Bringing together a rare mix of luxury living, tranquility and a strong sense of community, living in Anaheim Hills feels like living in a small rural town. To the west, Anaheim Hills is bordered by the 55 Freeway and to the east by Gypsum Canyon and the Riverside County Line. Anaheim Hills real estate has an enviable mix of spacious homes, relatively stable real estate values, and residents that include many wealthy executives, managers, and professionals.

A residential community of single-family homes on large lots, Yorba Linda continues to grow and prosper. Residents take advantage of the excellent schools, shopping and dining meccas, lush landscaping, the championship-designed course at the Black Gold Golf Club and 100 miles of equestrian, biking and walking trails. Money Magazine noted Yorba Linda as one of the nation's best places to retire in 2006. Also of note, U.S. President Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda in 1913 and his presidential library and birthplace are located in Yorba Linda. Yorba Linda is located approximately 13 miles northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and 40 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles.

Halfway between LA and San Diego, Dana Point spreads along 7 miles of prominent coastal bluffs and rolling hills beside the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point. Notable the bluffs is the unique promontory, the Headlands, which overlooks Dana Point Harbor, a significant landmark of the Orange County coastline. Dana Point Harbor can accommodate over 2,500 boats and provides shopping and dining amenities, attracting thousands every year for different recreational activities including sport fishing and parasailing. Dana Point residents also have access to Doheny State Park, which has 62 acres of beautiful natural locales suitable for camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, cycling and more.

With a reputation as one of the safest communities in the country, Irvine is one of the nation's largest planned urban communities, encompassing more than 55 square miles. This upscale, Orange County jewel is located close to beaches, mountains and family attractions, as well as a wealth of cultural and shopping hubs. Irvine real estate is spread among more than 20 villages that were each planned to have distinct themes. With one of the largest Asian-American percentages of any U.S. city, this area has grown into a community boasting state-of-the-art transportation programs, an enterprising business environment, stellar educational institutions and a family-friendly lifestyle.

San Clemente is the southern most beach city of Orange County known for its beautiful Spanish architecture, laid back vibe and small-town feel. San Clemente draws in nature lovers, surfers, families and cultural enthusiasts alike. San Clemente State Park sits on the bluffs overlooking the State Beach and is one of the most popular and beautiful State Parks on the coast. The city is also the surfing media capital of the world, with a large concentration of surfboard shapers and manufacturers, and is home to Surfing Magazine, The Surfer's Journal, and Longboard Magazine. San Clemente real estate is known for its white stucco and red roofed homes reminiscent of Spanish architecture.

Built around picturesque parks and protected wetlands, Mission Viejo is a family-friendly South County city. Although shops are plentiful in Orange County, Mission Viejo in particular offers a premier shopping stop at the Shops at Mission Viejo. Irvine Spectrum and a number of other shopping areas are just a quick shot down the freeway. Much of Mission Viejo real estate includes beautiful homes, condominiums, and apartments, but there are also pockets of commercial spaces filled with offices and local shops. Mission Viejo is home to Saddleback College, and is a short commute to various Orange County universities, such as UC Irvine, Chapman University, and Soka University.

The City of San Juan Capistrano is located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is home to the widest variety of homes in Orange County, with upscale and gated communities, working ranches in its foothills, and homes built prior to 1900 in its central district dating back to adobes from the 18th century. Nearly 40% of the city is open space and parkland, and the city prides itself on effectively maintaining its naturally spacious setting by acquiring land to preserve its defining ridgelines, hillsides and trails. This rural farming and ranching community has become a cultural center, filled with historic sites, and is home to the Swallows of Capistrano.

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is a newer, master-planned community set upon the rolling foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Specifically planned to be an urban village, Rancho Santa Margarita also has the advantages and amenities of a small city. This young, upscale city boasts new schools surrounded by beautiful residential real estate, lush parks, hiking trails and greenbelts. Children are educated in the Saddleback and Capistrano school districts, which are two of the higher scoring districts in Orange County. Rich with shopping, dining, clean streets and well-maintained homes, it's obvious why Rancho Santa Margarita is home to so many residents.

Hidden at the edge of Newport Beach, Balboa Island is a charming and exquisite community that defines Orange County living and offers a unique and rustic charm that few places in Southern California can match. The beautiful local shops and boutiques draw locals and visitors in throughout the year. Balboa Island is actually not a single island, but a composite of Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, and Collins Island. Once accessible only by sailboat, Balboa Island can now be reached both by ferry and by a bridge that connects it to the mainland. Homes for sale on Balboa Island are gorgeous and offer stunning ocean views, and most include small docks for the locals' boats.

Seal Beach has a quaint, small-town atmosphere, featuring the second-longest pier in California, beautiful beaches and a skate park. Located in the westernmost corner of Orange County, Seal Beach is a coastal surfing community, the gateway to Orange County between the cities of Long Beach and Huntington Beach. The city attracts more than 2,000,000 visitors each year making recreation an important factor in the local economy in an otherwise residential community. It is also served by the Los Alamitos School District, which has some of the area's best schools.

Huntington Beach is internationally known as Surf City, due to its 8 miles of scenic, user-friendly beachfront - the largest stretch of uninterrupted beaches on the West Coast. Tourism remains a vital part of the city, as over 11 million visitors flock here during the summer, on weekends and for special events. Home to five city high schools, thirty-five elementary schools and Golden West Community College, Huntington Beach is also a short ride away from UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton. Residents and tourists alike enjoy one of the largest recreational piers in the world, along with riding stables and equestrian trails, a marina, and a wildlife preserve.

Sunset Beach is an unincorporated beachfront community northwest of Huntington Beach in Orange County. Sunset Beach residents enjoy several nearby coastal areas including neighboring Bolsa Chica State Beach and the bayfront community of Huntington Harbor, and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. Located in close proximity to large centers of population, Sunset Beach draws thousands of visitors annually to its 45-acres of beach known for surfing, swimming, sunning and fishing. A predominantly residential community, Sunset Beach's residents can take advantage of amenities like basketball and volleyball courts, bike trails, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Anaheim is well known for its tourism, drawing crowds to the Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium, Honda Center and Disneyland. The city is the 10th largest in the state and the 56th largest in the country but is one of the safest cities for those of its size. The commercial district, Anaheim Resort, features Disneyland as well as hotel and retail complexes. The neo-urban development district that surrounds Angel Stadium is called the Platinum Triangle and includes mixed-use streets and high-rise buildings. The newest addition is the Anaheim Packing District, refurbished historical structures reimagined into a thriving downtown, featuring unique restaurants, bars and shopping.

Sometimes referred to as "the city of trees," due to the tree-lined streets and the indigenous white-barked sycamore trees, Tustin offers a wide variety of housing. Home to mostly middle and upper middle class residents, Tustin real estate ranges from large single-family estates to moderately priced apartments surrounded by parks, trails and open spaces. The pleasant city comprises several master-planned communities, including Tustin Ranch, Laurelwood, Tustin Meadows and Peppertree. Tustin real estate continues to flourish with modern shopping centers, a diverse industrial base, recreation, fine arts and human service programs that are responsive to residents' needs.

Entering the unincorporated community of Orange Park Acres is like walking out of Orange County and into ranching territory. Riding down the streets it’s not uncommon to see a farm with ostriches, llamas and chickens on one side of the street and a mansion on the other. The community does not have any building restrictions so Orange Park Acres homes for sale vary greatly from one to another. Residents are commonly horse or car enthusiasts because the large lots allow for tons of customization and room to board animals or vintage cars.

Santa Ana is one of the most populous cities in Orange County and many of its residents live in the five charming and historic neighborhoods. Santa Ana neighborhoods include Wilshire Square, Floral Park, West Floral Park, Washington Square and Historic French Park, which are known for period homes, spacious lots, tree-lined streets, vintage lampposts, and friendly neighbors. Some original farmhouses also dot the areas that were once walnut, avocado and orange groves, while exciting new residential and business developments, such as the Santiago Street Lofts and the City's Renaissance Specific Plan, make the city an even more desirable place to live.

Woodbridge is one of the most popular Villages of Irvine because of its strong sense of community and wide range of available housing. Centrally located within Irvine, the community is divided into 26 different neighborhoods, each built around it’s own park, and further divided into two areas – North Lake and South Lake. Woodbridge amenities are extensive including sand volleyball courts, pedal boat, canoe and kayak rentals for the manmade lakes, approximately 20 pools including designated adult only pool areas, and more. At it’s center, residents can shop at the Woodbridge Village Center which includes a discount movie theater, a local favorite.

Located in a rural section of Orange County, Laguna Hills is home to the upscale community of Nellie Gail Ranch. The ranch sits on a promontory within the city and is a contrast to the higher density neighborhoods that surround it. It is one of the better-known upscale communities in the state and is not gated. A Planned Unit Development of 1,355 lots on 1,350 acres each, it offers a mixture of tract and custom homes in a unique equestrian setting. It is one of only a few communities left in Orange County zoned for large lots and equestrian trails. The community includes several large parks, miles of trails and arenas, as well as substantial open space with acres of trees.

Garden Grove is a vibrant, progressive city located just south of Los Angeles in Orange County. The city is home to four annual cultural festivals that celebrate the Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and American heritage. Garden Grove's Strawberry Festival, now more than 45 years old, is the largest community-based Memorial Day event in the western United States. Garden Grove is conveniently located near Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, local beaches, and John Wayne Airport. Schools in the Garden Grove Unified School District have been rated as some of the best in the county, and 7 fire stations and 13 police stations help make it one of the safest places to live in California.

One of Orange County’s most affluent locales, Newport Beach sits on the ocean between Huntington and Laguna Beach. Newport Beach residents enjoy award-winning schools, magnificent homes, world-class shopping and culturally-diverse dining. Surfers and sunbathers flock to the city's expansive, soft-sand beaches in Corona del Mar and on the Balboa Peninsula, as well as body-surfing hot-spot, The Wedge. The Balboa Peninsula features the city's most popular attractions, including the Catalina Flyer providing daily transportation to Catalina Island, and The Balboa Fun Zone boasting a Ferris wheel, an old-time Merry-Go-Round, and bumper cars, as well as shops and restaurants.