Aliso Viejo is a beautiful city located in South Orange County, California. Acquired as part of the 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch in the 1890s, the city was incorporated in 2001.[1] Its name comes from the Spanish for “Old Alder.” Alders are superheroes of the tree community, helping other species survive and providing great shelter. Alders can fertilize the poorest soils, stabilize riverbanks and lake sides, provide food for invertebrates, be used to construct boats, smoke meats and fish, make clogs, and so much more![2]
Located in the San Joaquin Hills of southern Orange County, California, Aliso Viejo had a population of 50,400 people in 2020, up from 47,823 as of the 2010 census. The city’s economy employs close to 30,000 people within industries such as professional, scientific, and technical services, health care and social assistance, retail, and trade. Benefiting from being in the heart of South Orange County, the average commute time to work was well under 30 minutes according to 2020 census data.[3]
Aliso Viejo is home to several highly ranked schools, including the Don Juan Avila Elementary and Middle Schools, Journey, and Aliso Niguel High School. Aliso Viejo is also home to Soka University – a private liberal arts college and graduate school. Aliso Viejo enjoys access to the Orange County tail system, which is a network of riding and hiking trails connecting many of the County’s regional parks. Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park encompasses an area of approximately 4,500 acres of natural open space and wilderness with more than 30 miles of trails, mature oaks, sycamores, and endangered plants.[4] It is a great place to visit if you enjoy the great outdoors!
Aliso Viejo has a host of highly rated coffee shops including Seven Seas Roasting Co., Aliso Coffee & Donut, Barnes & Noble Café and more. Aliso Viejo Town Center is home to some great eateries, including the highly rated OPAH Restaurant & Bar serving the fine fresh fish and the Fennel Kitchen & Bar serving up Mediterranean cuisine. Also worth mentioning is the amazing CHUPONcito, offering authentic Mexican cuisine, coffees, and pastries. There are many more great places to eat and with the iconic Regal Edwards movie theatre at the heart of Aliso Town Center, you are sure to have plenty of entertainment on hand.
Supporting local farmers and businesses is important and helps strengthen communities. Saturday’s from 10am – 2pm at Town Center you can do just that at the Aliso Viejo OC Farmer’s market. This is a fun market with a great atmosphere, fresh and delicious local products.
Being centrally located in Aliso Viejo, you are close to so many great places, such as Laguna Beach with its world class beaches; Dana Point Harbor for gazing at yachts, taking part in water sports, or taking a day trip to Catalina Island; Irvine Spectrum Center for its awesome shopping center and restaurant scene; South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island for more great shopping; and Orange County airport for nationwide flights. With so much to do in and around Aliso Viejo, this surely is one of the best places to be and I’m so happy to live close by!
[1] https://avcity.org/303/About-Aliso-Viejo
[2] https://www.treesforcities.org/stories/intreeducing-the-alder-a-super-hero-tree-pioneer
[3] https://datausa.io/profile/geo/aliso-viejo-ca
[4] https://www.ocparks.com/alisowood