Rancho Santa Margarita
A master planned community, Rancho Santa Margarita is located along the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Incorporated in 2000, Rancho Santa Margarita became the 33rd city Orange County. The city currently has a population of over 49,000. Planned to be an “Urban Village,” Rancho Santa Margarita offers the best of two worlds: all of the elements and advantages of a small city plus the quality of life of a small village. In 1996 the Celebrating the Vision Committee developed Rancho Santa Margarita’s Vision Statement: “A Small City with the Soul of a Small Village.” Located along the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, the city incorporated on January 1, 2000, and became the 33rd city in the County of Orange. Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, Coto de Caza on the south, Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on the east. Dove Canyon, a private residential community of approximately 1200 homes, is located within the eastern part of Rancho Santa Margarita. Visitors to Rancho Santa Margarita will find a mix of retail shops, restaurants, parks, and annual events that take place throughout the year. The city also has many parks to suit many interests including a dog park, skate park and the scenic Lake Rancho Santa Margarita with a surrounding path perfect for walking, jogging or bike riding.
