Over the past few years, Los Angeles County’s neighboring region of Orange County has become a magnet for developers. It’s a region that seems to have it all, especially when it comes to great weather, quality food, premiere shopping, parks and recreation, beaches, employment opportunities—and the list keeps going.

Unlike living in Los Angeles, Orange County offers locals and tourists a more laid-back and tranquil suburban lifestyle, while being less than an hour’s drive away from the metropolitan. With developers building new homes in various neighborhoods, many of which feature contemporary designs, resort-style amenities, and open spaces, the OC is now among the nation’s best performing regions to live, work, and play. 

Below are some of the best master-planned communities (MPC) in Orange County.

Irvine

Irvine Ranch

Irvine Ranch

Irvine Ranch is a master-planned community that’s so large, it spans approximately 93,000 acres in Irvine and even parts of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Tustin, Orange, and Anaheim. Centrally located in the heart of Orange County, this community sits between Los Angeles and San Diego, which is ideal for those who want to be close to both beach cities.

Irvine Ranch has been privately owned for 150 years, and according to RCLCO’s sales report for the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities, Irvine Ranch ranked fourth overall with 1,160 sales in 2018. This reigning MPC features nearly 40 residential villages, including Cypress Village, Rancho San Joaquin, and Stonegate, with each having its own distinct character and feel. With residences ranging from single-family and small lot homes to townhomes and sprawling estates, homebuyers are sure to find a place that fits their lifestyle. 

In addition to housing, shopping centers, schools, recreational facilities, and energy-efficient infrastructure have even been strategically placed around the master-planned community to ensure its growth and longevity.

Great Park Neighborhoods

Another Irvine MPC that ranked among the top in the nation is Great Park Neighborhoods. It ranked 20th overall with 480 home sales. The community is working in tandem with Aliso Viejo-based developer FivePoint Holdings to create thousands of new homes throughout its eight neighborhoods as well as Orange County Park, a 1,300 acre recreational area filled with attractions and amenities. 

San Juan Capistrano

Rancho Mission Viejo

Rancho Mission Viejo

While Irvine Ranch attracts more working professionals due to its proximity to employment centers, Rancho Mission Viejo—often referred to as “The Ranch”—offers a wide selection of distinct neighborhoods that cater to different lifestyles ranging from retirees to first-time homebuyers. One of the MPC’s most popular subdivisions is its active adult community Gavilan. In 2015, sales jumped up 52 percent as new homes within its second village Esencia sold to retirees for under $600,000. 

Although Rancho Mission Viejo is open to all ages, it has a strong focus on intergenerational growth and land preservation. Surrounded by the rolling hills and scenic canyons in San Juan Capistrano, The Ranch is located about 20 miles south of Irvine, spanning approximately 23,000 acres of ranch, farmland, habitat preserves, and residential neighborhoods. This master-planned community was ranked 11th overall in the nation and had 623 home sales at the end of 2018.

The Ranch is currently working to build more spaces to accommodate schools, parks, athletic facilities, resort-style clubhouses, and structures for special events. Sendero Marketplace, the village center, currently services the community with a grocery store, a pharmacy, a medical care center, and a gas station.

Lake Forest

D Ramey Logan - LakeForestCA photo D Ramey Logan.jpg - Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0

Baker Ranch

North of Rancho Mission Viejo, Baker Ranch is a master-planned development in Lake Forest. Like its name suggests, there are indeed two lakes and a forest within the development, all of which are man-made. This lush Orange County neighborhood provides residents with a scenic backdrop of the Santa Ana Mountains, which is ideal for both relaxing and active living.

While providing first-class amenities at an affordable price point, Baker Ranch aims to attract first-time homebuyers looking to live close to jobs in Irvine. This master-planned development is currently selling luxurious attached and single-family homes with prices ranging from the high $500s to over $2.7 million, according to Neighborhoods.com listings. 

Although it didn’t make RCLCO’s top-selling year-end sales report this year, Baker Ranch did rank among the top 20 on its 2017 year-end sales report. Baker Ranch homeowners enjoy easy access to amenities such as hiking and bike trails, swimming pools, a sports park, and multiple recreational facilities. The community also holds family-friendly events throughout the year, including its summer concerts in the park. Although some parts of Baker Ranch are still under construction, the developer plans on building close to 2,000 homes throughout the community’s 18 neighborhoods.