Neighborhood Spotlight: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Rancho Santa Margarita in Southern California has the distinction of being one of the youngest cities in Orange County. It also has the longest city name of any other municipality in California. Let’s discover what else makes Rancho Santa Margarita stand out from the crowd!

Rancho Santa Margarita at a glance

Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community in Orange County, California, with a population of approximately 49,000. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains, the city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. It is bordered by Coto de Caza to the south, Mission Viejo to the west, Trabuco Canyon to the north, and the Cleveland National Forest to the east. The city’s mission statement describes the community as “a small city with the soul of a small village” which accurately describes the lifestyle you’ll find in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Rancho Santa Margarita real estate and neighborhoods

Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community and most of the homes within the city are operated by large homeowners associations. These HOAs include:

• SAMLARC
• SAMCORP
• Dove Canyon
• Trabuco Highlands
• Walden
• Rancho Cielo
• Robinson Ranch

Town planners in Rancho Santa Margarita have pledged to protect the small-town vibe of the city through the design and maintenance of neighborhoods that complement the area’s natural environment. The median home price is approximately $655,000, making it one of the more affordable communities in Southern California.

Rancho Santa Margarita history

Originally the home of the Shoshonean Native Americans, the modern history of Rancho Santa Margarita began in 1843 when Juan Forster purchased the land and renamed it La Victoria. Upon his death, his family sold the land to James C. Flood and Richard O’Neill, Sr. O’Neill’s son, Jerome, grew the ranch to more than 230,000 acres which covered three counties. All of this land was incorporated by the Rancho Santa Margarita Company. When Jerome died in 1926, the land was developed by his heirs into several communities including both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. The city was officially incorporated on January 1, 2000, making it the 33rd city in Orange County.

Rancho Santa Margarita amenities

One of the most attractive features of Rancho Santa Margarita is its beautiful city parks. O’Neill Regional Park is heavily wooded with sycamore and coastal live oak trees and offers overnight camping. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park is a wonderful place to spot Mule Deer grazing barley in the morning. Star Ranch Sanctuary in nearby Trabuco Canyon is a terrific destination for families to have fun together with nature workshops and outdoor research with area biologists.

Do you love golf? Then be sure to visit Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita. The club is home to a distinctive course layout designed by Ted Robinson that features breathtaking scenery, challenging elevation changes, and gorgeous water features. 

Of course, Rancho Santa Margarita’s location in Orange County makes it close to everything the region has to offer. This includes Disneyland Resort, Knott’s Berry Farm, Legoland, Sea World, and Universal Studios.

Rancho Santa Margarita schools

Students in Rancho Santa Margarita are served by both the Capistrano Unified School District and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The schools in Rancho Santa Margarita are highly rated, and many have earned A+ ratings on Niche. These include Tesoro High School, Capistrano Valley High School, and Mission Viejo High School. In 2006, Money Magazine recognized that Rancho Santa Margarita is one of the best small towns in America for families, due in part to its excellent schools.

Explore Rancho Santa Margarita today!

Are you ready to discover what makes this small Southern California town so appealing? Then view available properties in Rancho Santa Margarita and schedule your private showing today!