Mission Viejo

Learn about Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo is a city in Orange County, California, United States in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size. Mission Viejo is suburban in nature and culture. The city is mainly residential, although there are a number of offices and businesses within its city limits. The city is known for its tree-lined neighborhoods, receiving recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The history of Mission Viejo, which was incorporated as a city in 1988, dates back to 1769, when the land was claimed for Spain by Gaspar de Portola. After Mexico´s independence from Spain in 1821, Rancho Mission Viejo and several other ranchos were acquired by an Englishman named John Forster. In attempting to run over 200,000 acres of cattle land, Forster´s capital was depleted and after his death the Rancho was sold by his sons. In 1963, the grandchildren of Irish cattleman Richard O´Neill who acquired Rancho Mission Viejo in 1907, sold 10,000 acres to the Mission Viejo Company. In 1965, a master community plan was adopted for Mission Viejo and in April 1966 the first residents moved into their new homes and neighborhoods. The city encompasses over 17 square miles and consists of single detached and attached homes, condos, apartments, a large mall called The Shops at Mission Viejo, a large lake (Lake Mission Viejo) surrounded by Condos and luxury water front homes. The city also boosts one of the finest medical centers in Orange County, Mission Hospital and is the home to Saddleback College.

Travel Methods

Travel Methods

To City Center
Q2 2018
MEDIAN SALES PRICE
$680.0k
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From Q1 2018
Arrow
$681.0k
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$648.0k
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$650.0k
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RATING* SCHOOL NAME GRADES SCHOOL TYPE
N/A La Tierra Early Childhood Center Preschool - Preschool Public
4 Philip J. Reilly Elementary/Special Education Preschool - 5th Grade Public
4 Castille Elementary School Preschool - 5th Grade Public
2 Viejo Elementary School Kindergarten - 5th Grade Public
2 Linda Vista Elementary School Kindergarten - 6th Grade Public
5 Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County Kindergarten - 8th Grade Public
4 Bathgate Elementary School Kindergarten - 5th Grade Public
5 De Portola Elementary School Kindergarten - 6th Grade Public
4 Carl Hankey Middle School 6th Grade - 8th Grade Public
5 Newhart Middle School 6th Grade - 8th Grade Public
4 Mission Viejo High School 9th Grade - 12th Grade Public
3 Mira Monte High (Alternative) School 9th Grade - 12th Grade Public
N/A Carden Academy Mission Viejo Preschool - 8th Grade Private/Charter
N/A Fusion Academy - Mission Viejo 6th Grade - 12th Grade Private/Charter
N/A Mission Viejo Christian School 1St Grade - 8th Grade Private/Charter
N/A Sonrisa School 1St Grade - 8th Grade Private/Charter
N/A A Global Village Preschool & Academy Preschool - Kindergarten Private/Charter
N/A Pillars Academy Preschool - Kindergarten Private/Charter
N/A Sunflower Montessori School Preschool - Kindergarten Private/Charter
N/A Heritage Christian School Preschool - 10th Grade Private/Charter
* School data provided by National Center for Education Statistics, Pitney Bowes, and GreatSchools. Intended for reference only. GreatSchools Ratings compare a school’s test performance to statewide results. To verify enrollment eligibility, contact the school or district directly.