Mission Viejo, CA

Mission Viejo is a city located in Orange County, California. The population was 167,988 at the 2010 census. Mission Viejo is known for its luxury real estate and golf courses.

Mission Viejo was founded in 1887 by John D. Spreckels and named for the mission of San Juan Capistrano, California. The city grew rapidly as a result of its location near major transportation routes and because of the development of agriculture in the area. Mission Viejo's first major industry was citrus production; however, this has since declined due to competition from other areas in California. Today, Mission Viejo is primarily a residential community with a small commercial center.

The city's top employers are based in the service sector: health care, professional services, and technology companies such as Oracle Corporation and Symantec Corporation have offices here. Other notable businesses include Jamba Juice, Lowe's Home Improvement stores, and Starbucks Coffee Company. The retail sector includes several high-end boutiques as well as larger chain stores such as Macy's and Sears Roebuck & Co.. Mission Viejo also has two golf courses: The Club at Orange Canyon (designed by Jack Nicklaus) and Rancho Santa Margarita Golf Course (designed by Arnold Palmer).

Real estate prices in Mission Viejo are among the highest in Southern California; many homes are priced at over $1 million. Many residents commute to work downtown or to Newport Beach or Irvine via freeway or expressway connections; others commute to Los Angeles or Orange County via commuter rail service operated by Metrolink or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains from Santa Ana station on I-5 south of town

There are several schools within close proximity to Mission Viejo including Saddleback College (a private evangelical Christian university), Costa Mesa High School (a public school), Dana Hills High School (a public school), South Coast Christian School (private), Cypress College Preparatory Academy (private), Laguna Hills High School (public)