Mission Viejo, one of America's most successful master planned communities, is renowned for its beautiful parks and tree lined boulevards, modern business and commercial centers and the exceptional quality of life offered to its residents.

From the natural splendor of its wilderness areas, to the serenity of a sunset on Lake Mission Viejo, or the sleek contemporary lines of its modern business parks, Mission Viejo was designed from inception to be a well-balanced community. Evolving from a simple idea in 1965, Mission Viejo became a vibrant hometown in less than ten years. The City is one of the pioneers of the physical, social, recreational and commercial concepts that are commonplace in today's new residential communities.

Mission Viejo's success gained recognition in 1986 when it became the first American city to be honored as a "World Class Community" at The First International New Town Conference. In 1992, Mission Viejo received the Award for Excellence from the prestigious Urban Land Institute which stated that Mission Viejo "stands as one of the most successful American new towns ever realized."

In keeping with its reputation as a world-class community, the City of Mission Viejo was host to the long distance bicycle competition in the 1984 Olympics and in 1992 Lake Mission Viejo was the site of the Olympic Trials for the United States Kayak Team.

Mission Viejo has carefully combined its residential, commercial and recreational opportunities to produce a community second to none. One of the finest communities in Orange County, Mission Viejo offers an extraordinary quality of life not only for families but also for business and industry.

Mission Viejo was designed so that its citizens could live, work and play within its boundaries. The preservation of this dynamic concept is fully supported by Mission Viejo's city government.

Incorporated in 1988, Mission Viejo became Orange County's 27th city and installed a Council/Manager form of government. The City operates as a contract city with government entities, private firms and individuals providing the municipal services.

With a current population of 98,000, Mission Viejo's size means that city government is both responsive and responsible. Business as well as new families appreciate the accessibility of city officials, the quick turnaround of permitting requests and the high standards of quality and service. Business owners are pleased when they learn that Mission Viejo is one of the few cities in California that does not require a business license fee.

Mission Viejo's well-balanced approach to living has attracted business and industry throughout the United States. Entrepreneurs, small businesses and large corporations value the region's superior transportation system which gives access to the strong economic base, highly skilled labor pool and diversity of technical resources of Southern California.

Mission Viejo's robust and well-diversified revenue base is the foundation of its healthy economic environment. The surrounding Saddleback Valley area has been, and will continue to be, a major growth area in Southern California.

Business and industry have access to an affluent market as well as a built-in housing base and highly educated employment base. A majority of Mission Viejo residents over the age of 25, have a college bachelor's degree or higher.

In addition to its multitude of small businesses, Mission Viejo also has four major employers of more than 1,000 employees. These are the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Saddleback Community College, Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center and Unisys Corporation. Mission Viejo's well-maintained system of roads and freeways as well as its modern infrastructure make transportation accessible to all areas of Southern California. On the western border of the community, the San Diego Freeway links the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego. The San Joaquin Toll road on our western border, and the Foothill Transportation Corridor, on the eastern border of our city, provide important links in the regional freeway system.

Superlative access to regional, national and international destinations are available by air, water and rail transportation. Mission Viejo is just minutes from Orange County's John Wayne Airport and approximately one hour from either Los Angeles International Airport or Ontario International Airport. San Diego International Airport is 70 miles to the south and Long Beach Municipal Airport is 33 miles away.

In addition, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego are three of the major ports to the flourishing business, commercial and financial centers of the Pacific Rim.

For companies needing rail transportation, Mission Viejo is less than six miles from both the Irvine AMTRAK and San Juan Capistrano AMTRAK stations. A Commuter Rail Station adjacent to Mission Viejo, which will supplement the AMTRAK intercity service, recently opened off Avery Parkway in the southern part of the city.

Corporate headquarters, business parks, research and development facilities and retail locations are all available in Mission Viejo. Mission Viejo is committed to maintaining a supportive business and industrial environment. Excellent facilities are available to match the space and performance requirements for a wide variety of companies. Some of the City's larger business parks include High Park, a 112-acre mixed-use development and Saddleback Technology Park, a 40-acre area for research and development corporate headquarters and support services.

Together, Crown Corporate Center and Crown Commerce Center offer businesses over 1.5 million square feet of existing office space and 1 million square feet of planned office space. Crown Corporate Center, located near Interstate 5 and Crown Valley Parkway, is a 117-acre master planned mixed-use park with office space, a hotel site, restaurants and other retail/service related uses.

Crown Commerce Center, also located along the Crown Valley Parkway Corridor, is a 40 acre mixed-use development zoned for future business, light industrial and retail uses.

The vitality of Mission Viejo's diversified economic base provides a strong foundation for its retail enterprises. The recently renovated and expanded Shops at Mission Viejo, a major shopping destination for the region, contains one million square foot enclosed shopping complex. The mall features over one hundred specialty stores including major tenants such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Robinsons-May and Macy’s. Also, a wide variety of community shopping centers are located within minutes of Mission Viejo's attractive residential areas. Locations for small businesses and retail stores such as restaurants, movie theaters and professional services are available in shopping centers that include well-known grocery store chains, large discount department stores and building warehouse wholesalers.

Mission Viejo's highly skilled labor pool and the area's abundance of technical support services provide business and industry with a competitive edge. Companies who need well-educated and technically trained employees can draw upon the highly skilled labor pool within Mission Viejo, particularly for technical and managerial employees. In addition, the variety of suppliers and vendors in the immediate area provide a central resource for hi-tech, biotech, software and aerospace companies and corporations. Our City is dedicated to creating a safe, fulfilling and unique environment that will preserve and enhance the quality of our lives and the lives of our children. We are committed to providing services that are responsive, innovative and fiscally sound and that will result in a caring community where people are the difference." - The Mission Statement of the City of Mission Viejo.

Mission Viejo's highly livable environment is ideal for business and industry seeking an outstanding quality of life both for themselves and for their employees.

To complement its dynamic economic and commercial base, Mission Viejo offers its citizens an exceptional array of housing options, recreational attractions and educational opportunities. From shopping in unique boutiques along Lake Mission Viejo to refreshing walks among 100 year-old sycamores, from enjoying a lakeside concert under the stars to attending one of the Country's best school systems, Mission Viejo has something for every age and every lifestyle.

A diversity of neighborhoods, housing types and price ranges attract active young professionals, growing families and mature adults. Residents may select from apartments, the resort-like lifestyle of condominium and townhouse living, or one of the many single-family home neighborhoods noted for their traditional charm and friendly neighbors.

Executives may relax in the luxury of custom golf course homes or fulfill their dream of lakefront living. Senior members of the community also have a wide range of housing alternatives tailored to fit their lifestyles and budgets.

Best of all, residents have the peace of mind of knowing that this quiet community was "ranked the number #1 safest city in the country for cities with a population between 75,000 and 100,000."

Every home in Mission Viejo is within one mile of a community park. With a total of 43 parks within the City, and the highest per capita park acreage among South Orange County cities, residents do not have to leave town to enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors.

Because the City is located in the beautiful rolling coastal hills of South Orange County, Mission Viejo residents enjoy a mild Mediterranean-like climate that encourages outdoor activities year round.

Hiking, biking, tennis, soccer, swimming, softball, baseball, golf, boating and fishing, Mission Viejo has it all! To complement the spirited lifestyles of its residents, the City has four recreation centers and two tennis complexes. These outstanding recreational facilities, two of which are newly renovated, include three competition and nine recreational swimming pools, a 25-meter Olympic diving pool, lighted tennis courts, handball/racquetball courts, a large multipurpose indoor facility and gymnasium, outdoor basketball courts, saunas, billiard tables, weight rooms, and outdoor playgrounds.

Golf enthusiasts can work on their game at the Casta del Sol public golf course, an 18-hole executive course designed by Ted Robinson. Or, they can test their skills at the private Mission Viejo Country Club. The Country Club is highlighted by a championship 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones and a 38,000 square foot Clubhouse with complete facilities. Arroyo Trabuco, an 18 hole, 240 acre, public course is scheduled to open the summer of June 2004. This golf course will include a 15,200 square foot clubhouse with banquet facilities and a restaurant. This 7,000 yard course is located at the eastern end of Avery Parkway off Interstate 5.

Older residents of Mission Viejo may take advantage of a wide variety of educational, cultural and social activities available at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Youngsters may enjoy the 35-acre Youth Athletic Park and specialized coaching available in more than 40 youth athletic organizations.

In addition, because of its outstanding facilities and mild climate, Mission Viejo was the training site for the 1994 U.S. Men's National Soccer Team.

Superior performance in competitive water sports has become synonymous with Mission Viejo's Nadadores. The Nadadores Swim and Dive Teams have set numerous World Records and have won many Olympic medals.

The annual Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon fundraiser is also held in Mission Viejo attracting both world-class professional athletes as well as amateur athletes.

A sense of community and civic pride have fostered an atmosphere of belonging that is seen in the many social and cultural activities in Mission Viejo held throughout the year.

Lake Mission Viejo is one of the focal points for community activities. The Lake is the site for the annual Easter Bunny Visit, open air film screenings, the Summer Concert Series, the Lakefest fair, October's Halloween Haunt, the exciting Annual Lake Mission Viejo Regatta and the annual dazzling Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.

No hometown would be complete without a 4th of July Community Street Faire, presented each year by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee, a group of community volunteers. Another tradition is the Santa House on La Paz Road where hundreds of children come to see Santa Claus and provide their gift wish lists.

Exclusive in Mission Viejo is the Children's Creative Festival, also known as Fun With Chalk.  This annual event brings professional artists and local non professionals of all ages, to demonstrate their talent by using chalk to create works of art on the macadam parking lot at the Norman P. Murray Community Center. This chalk festival is the only event of it's type in Orange County. Proceeds of this event are used for Grants to fund art programs in the Saddleback and Capistrano Unified School Districts.

A wide variety of adult and youth social and cultural organizations is the perfect complement to Mission Viejo's community celebrations. Theater and dance groups, social and garden clubs and service organizations such as the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary are all supported by Mission Viejo residents.

To enrich the appreciation of life, the Saddleback Community College Fine Arts Complex holds programs in the arts, theater, music and speech. The Mission Viejo Arts for Youth program enables local students to attend fine regional theater, music and dance production. Only 18 miles to the north are the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the South Coast Repertory Theater offering the best in regional theater and the performing arts. The award winning Mission Viejo Public Library has more than 130,000 items in it's collection, offering residents educational, cultural and entertainment opportunities right at home. The library also has 20 computers with Internet browsing capability, six study rooms and a large multi purpose community room.

Recent recognition's of Mission Viejo High School include: selected as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2002 and a California Distinguished School for 2001. Schools receiving these honors are judged superior for "overall excellence." These schools were described as "doing many things well. They have a strong foundation in academics and offer a variety of athletic activities, art programs, and a number of innovative courses for vocational/technical and special-needs students."

Parents in Mission Viejo appreciate having one of the finest educational systems in Orange County. The three districts, Saddleback Valley Unified, Capistrano Unified and Saddleback College, are composed of 27 elementary schools, four intermediate schools, four high schools and one community college. The area also offers 12 private schools.

Serving more than 36,500 students, Saddleback College offers a two-year comprehensive education with more than 100 programs leading to an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in academic and vocational areas.

The best of modern healthcare is available in the City of Mission Viejo. Mission Hospital is the largest medical center in South Orange County with nearly 600 physicians in over 40 specialty areas. Mission Hospital has the only trauma center in South Orange County. One floor is used by Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). In Jan 2004, the Mission Viejo City Council approved plans to expand the hospital center. This 20 year expansion plan, to serve the growth of south Orange County, is estimated at $550,000,000.

Nearby medical centers include Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Hills, South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach and the Irvine Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Irvine.

In addition, a wide variety of full service healthcare, medical and dental centers serve the community. The University of California Irvine Medical Center, a nationally known research educational and health services facility, is a short drive away.

Mission Viejo is a world-class community by all definitions. Combining the finest of traditional American values with intelligent planning and technological advances of the 21th century, the City provides its residents with an incomparable quality of life. Mission Viejo's highly skilled labor force, support services, exceptional residential neighborhoods and well-diversified economy combine to create an outstanding community for business, industry and executive living. The City invites newcomers to see for themselves why Mission Viejo is "one of the most successful American new towns ever realized."

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