Neighborhood Spotlight: Lake Forest, CA

Encompassing two lakes from which the city gets its name, Lake Forest, California, is located in South Orange County. This contemporary city of approximately 77,000 people has the charm of a small community with plenty of big-city amenities. Situated near both Los Angeles and San Diego, Lake Forest provides easy access to all of Southern California and its great schools attract many families.

Lake Forest at a glance

Lake Forest is a relatively new community in California, having been incorporated in 1991. Before that, the city was known as El Toro. In 2000, the city expanded its borders to include the master-planned developments of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills. This added many homes and new commercial centers to the northeastern section of the community. The weather here is as close to perfect as it gets, with a Mediterranean climate that brings mild temperatures throughout the year. Lake Forest is located near both the Interstate 5 and 405 freeways and is minutes away from an Amtrak station and the Orange County Airport, making commuting a breeze.

Real Estate in Lake Forest

Although housing prices in Lake Forest are among some of the highest in the nation, they are more affordable when compared to other communities in California. The median home value in Lake Forest is approximately $735,000. More than half of the housing stock in the city is single-family homes, and of those, more than half feature three or four bedrooms. Other types of housing are available as well, including luxury condos, townhomes, equestrian estates, and lakefront homes. It’s also home to several retirement communities. Lake Forest ranks in the top ten percent in the nation for home appreciation values, as real estate has appreciated almost 60 percent in the last ten years. That makes this community an excellent choice for real estate investments.

Lake Forest amenities

Outdoor enthusiasts and sports lovers will enjoy all that this city has to offer. Lake Forest is home to one of the biggest sports parks in Orange County, the Lake Forest Sports and Recreation Center, which opened in 2014 and features 86 acres of sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails and picnic gazebos. Or take a spin at Etnies Skatepark, one of the largest public skateparks in the country. The community also boasts 30 public parks including the Whiting Ranch Regional Wilderness Park. Here you’ll find 2,500 acres of scenic rock formations and 17 miles of trails where visitors can hike, bike, and ride horses.

Cultural opportunities also abound in Lake Forest. Take a tour of the Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House, once home to the renowned actress and now a National Historic Landmark. Or travel back in time by visiting the Heritage Hill Historical Park. This four-acre park is home to four fully-restored historic buildings from the Mexican Rancho era. And make sure to leave plenty of time to catch a show at the Modjeska Playhouse. Each season they feature an eclectic selection of professionally-produced shows and improv.

Residents also enjoy a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bars in and around Lake Forest that offer an endless diversity of cuisines that will entice all palates. It’s also home to Saddleback Church, currently ranked among the top ten largest churches in the United States.

Lake Forest schools

Students in Lake Forest are served by the highly regarded Irvine Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified School Districts which consistently rank among the top in the nation. El Toro High School in Lake Forest has been recognized as a California Distinguished School, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a National School of Distinction, a Top 100 School, and was ranked by U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools in both 2016 and 2017. Several colleges and universities are also located in the area, including the University of California at Irvine, California State University at Fullerton, Chapman University, Concordia University, Saddleback Community College, and Irvine Valley Community College.

Explore Lake Forest today

Are you ready to take a tour of what is arguably one of the best places in the country to live, work, and play? Then view available properties in Lake Forest and schedule your private showing today!