Orange feels out of place from the high-brow, celebrity-rich culture that surrounds it. “Some people are private, but it’s not like other parts of Orange County. You have people from very diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and lots of mom-and-pop restaurants,” says Tracey Marcyan, a lifelong resident. She’s been a Realtor since 2010 and brokers with Caliber Real Estate Group. “Most people know their neighbors and show up for community events. If I go to the Orange Street Fair in September, I’ll probably run into 100 people I know. I’ll probably run into 100 more at the Christmas Tree Lighting in December.” Olde Towne Orange is a hub for these events on the city’s south side. Warehouses are in the west, closest to Anaheim. Suburbs cover Orange’s valley and eastern hills, and roughly 140,000 people live in the city overall.
The Orange International Street Fair brings food and art to Old Towne each August.
The Orange High School Cheer Team attends the Orange May Parade.
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Old Towne Orange and Anaheim attractions
Old Towne Orange is the largest nationally registered historic district in California. With over 1,300 buildings, some go back to the 1880s, and architecture styles can be anything between Italianate and art deco. Nicknamed The Circle by locals, this district has a circular green space, Plaza Park, at its center, and visitors can sit around its bronze fountain. Antique stores, record shops and clothing boutiques surround the park; restaurants, cafes and bars are here too. The district has hosted the Orange Street Fair since 1973. This Labor Day weekend event has art booths, food vendors and different themes every year.
Contrasting the antique feel of Old Towne, The Outlets at Orange are about 3 miles west. This modern outdoor mall has 120-plus chain stores, 20-plus restaurants, an IMAX theater and an indoor skate park. Anaheim is just north with more shopping and dining. Also in this area, theme parks such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm attract locals and tourists alike. “I can see the fireworks from my house, but the theme parks feel like they’re 100 miles away,” Marcyan says. “The chaos and tourist traffic doesn’t really overflow into Orange.” Angel Stadium, originally called Anaheim Stadium, has hosted the Los Angeles Angels since 1966. Honda Center is home to big-name concerts and NHL hockey with the Anaheim Ducks.
Old Towne Orange’s streets reveal antique shops and lively cafes.
Shoppers flock to The Outlets at Orange for deals and entertainment.
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Eisenhower Park and the Santa Ana Mountains
The city of Orange has 22 parks, and Eisenhower Park is one of the most notable. This 15-acre green space has a lake on its south side, and it’s popular for fishing and duck-feeding. On the city’s east side, the Santa Ana Mountains cater to hikers and mountain bikers. Irvine Regional Park is in the foothills of this range too. Established in 1897, this historic park has pony rides and the Orange County Zoo. Newport and Laguna beaches are about 20 miles south.
Residents fish and relax at Eisenhower Park’s scenic lake.
The OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park features native wildlife exhibits.
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Top marks for Orange Unified School District
Orange Unified School District serves 26,000 students and gets an A-minus from Niche. Of its 42 schools, 21 have received California Gold Ribbons, and six have received California School Board Association Golden Bell Awards. Canyon High is a standout in the Santa Ana Mountains, scoring an A from Niche. It has over 80 clubs, and art programs include dance, choir and video production. Chapman University is a private institution in central Orange, known for its film and law programs.
Canyon High School brings its students together to watch football games on the field.
Chapman University is a private research university in the heart of Orange.
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Hillside estates and historic homes in Orange
Largely due to the amount of high-paying jobs in the area, housing in Orange is more expensive than neighboring cities. The median sale price here is $1.1 million, about $300,000 more than both Anaheim and Santa Ana as of October 2024. That’s still about half the price of Villa Park and Orange Park Acres, two unincorporated communities on Orange’s east side. High-dollar estates are usually in this area since they have hillside views and are closest to the Santa Ana Mountains. While these homes are mostly from the 1970s, Craftsman homes from the early 1900s are typical near Old Towne. Ranch-style homes make up most of the city overall.
Charming cottages in Orange offer cozy living and curb appeal.
Many of Old Towne Orange's home date back to the early 20th century.
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Orange’s seasonality, wildfire risk and crime rates
Orange has about 280 days of sunshine per year. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 70s and 80s; winters are cool with temperatures in the 60s. The Santa Ana winds, a dry air pattern, can incite wildfires in the mountains and carry smoke to Orange. In September 2024, the Airport Fire burned about 25,000 outside the city, and nearby homeowners evacuated.
In December 2023, Orange had 58 violent offenses per 100,000 people. That’s an increase from the previous year, but it’s still lower than state and national rates. Property offenses were at 99 per 100,000 people in the same month. That’s a decrease from the previous year, and it’s also lower than state and national rates.
Driving the 5, Orange County Transit Authority
Olde Towne Orange is walkable, but most people drive around the city overall. Like many places in Los Angeles, traffic can back up anytime. State Route 55 goes 10 miles south to technology centers in Irvine, and Interstate 5 goes 30 miles north to downtown Los Angeles. Orange County Transit Authority operates the OC Bus and Metrolink train through the city, so drivers have alternatives. John Wayne Airport is about 10 miles south, and Long Beach Airport is about 20 miles west.
Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
Michael Rutt
Video By
Jacob McAllister
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Harold Betts,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Orange, CA sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Orange, CA over the last 12 months is $1,125,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 994 N Cleveland Street, an architect-designed, custom-built single-story ranch residence where timeless design meets comfort and sophistication. Originally crafted in 1960 by a distinguished local architect, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom estate offers approximately 2,916 square feet of living space on a rare, oversized 17,064 square foot end-of-cul-de-sac lot—one of the most
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3 Bedroom/2 Bathroom 1320 sq ft Double-paned windows Central Air Conditioning & Heat All Drywall 9' Flat Ceilings Move in Ready Island Kitchen Close to Pool, Clubhouse & Gym Low-maintenance landscaping Among the lowest space rents in all of Orange County Front Porch South Facing Orange Village MHP is located at 1540 E. Trenton, Orange CA 92867. Short walk through secured gate to
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One of the newest corner lot homes in Old Towne Orange built in 1988. Walking distance to the Orange Plaza and Chapman University. This is a 4 Bed 3 Bath home that is over 2,300 sqft inside, with a large 2 car garage with a refinished floor. Outside the front door you have a comfortable refinished wood front porch looking out to Palm Ave and Cleveland St. Inside you have an open floor plan with
This wonderful home is located on a cul-de-sac in the prestigious community of “The Ridge at Belmont “. Beautiful custom home with Panoramic view. Spacious master suite with 180-degree view. Private main floor guest room/office and bath. A resort-like backyard including pool, water fall, is perfect for entertainment. Three (3) car garage. Excellent location near the major freeways.
Experience a higher quality lifestyle in a brand-new, affordable 55+ community centered around senior adults expecting more out of life. As a top choice destination for senior living in Orange, CA, The Orion Senior Apartments welcomes you with convenient amenities, spacious floor plans, and exciting resident events, all blended with excellent services in the heart of Orange County. Currently move
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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