Despite being in the heart of Orange County, Villa Park residents feel like they have estates in the serene countryside, with spacious lots and a quintessential small-town feel. “Probably the biggest reason people move here is the space. Villa Park’s lot sizes are larger than the vast majority of Orange County cities. They’re roughly half–acre lots or larger,” says Realtor Steve Thomas who works with Thomas Real Estate Group and has over a decade of experience in the area. Located four miles north of downtown Orange, Villa Park is home to about 6,000 residents, making it the smallest city in Orange County. It covers about two square miles, making it geographically tiny as well — but it’s not an area to gloss over. “It’s an absolute hidden gem in so many different ways. It’s a quiet little area with very nice homes on big lots, and there are great schools,” says Realtor Daniel Finder, who has over a decade of experience and works with the Finder Group and EQTY Forbes Global Properties.
The real estate market in Villa Park tends to be upscale, with homes commanding high prices.
Villa Park was incorporated as a city on January 11, 1962, making it the smallest city in OC.
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Renovated and contemporary homes
Established in 1962, the town has a spread-out suburban feel, from winding roads to tranquil cul-de-sacs. Residents may feel extra secure with a 1 out of 10 crime score on the CAP Index, compared to a 4 out of 10 average in the United States. It only has single-family homes, no apartment or condo buildings. There are also limited streetlights and sidewalks, meaning the area isn’t very walkable. However, this is a product of the roomy front yards, with manicured green grass and landscaped flora, plus backyards with enough space for private pools. As a matter of fact, many Villa Park homes include their own pools. Older homes are often renovated; exteriors are well-maintained, with fresh coats of paint and upgrades like brick walkways. The architecture varies from midcentury ranch-style homes to larger contemporary houses. In terms of pricing, the former range from $1.4 million to $4.5 million, while the latter start from $5.3 million and go up to $6.2 million. No matter the home style, it may prove difficult to get a home in Villa Park currently. “There’s a very tight inventory,” Thomas says. “Availability in Villa Park has been very limited since before COVID-19 but more so after COVID because there’s been a trend toward less density, and Villa Park is exactly that.”
Villa Park is known for its strong sense of community and small-town feel.
If you ever wondered if Villa Park residents have airplanes hanging inside their homes, they do.
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Well-rated Orange Unified schools
Students in the area are served by the Orange Unified School District, which earns an A-minus rating according to Niche. Serrano Elementary School has an A-minus rating as well, while Cerro Villa Middle School has a B-plus grade. Given an A rating, Villa Park High has a robust athletics department; the baseball and softball teams both recently won the 35th annual CIF Southern Section-FORD Academic Awards, which honors student athletes’ cumulative grade point averages exceeding 3.5.
The flag flows in the breeze at the Villa Park High School's main entrance.
Serrano Elementary is part of the Orange Unified School District for Villa Park, CA.
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Strip mall retail
Villa Park Town Center has the essentials to complete a weekly to-do list. At Ralphs, residents can pick up groceries, then deposit a check at Wells Fargo or Bank of America. The strip mall also features local restaurants. “I would suggest Rockwell's or Yang Ming as good picks for a Villa Park experience,” Thomas says. Rockwell's Bakery began as a neighborhood bakery in 1987 has grown to include menus of American food in a sophisticated atmosphere. At Yang Ming, patrons can order Chinese classics in a relaxed setting.
Rockwell's Cafe is situated in the heart of Villa Park, and serves as a community hub.
Locals of Villa Park gather at Yang Ming as a community to catch up and dine together.
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A local park and hiking
Grijalva Park covers 27 acres of land for amenities from basketball to volleyball courts. There’s also a covered, brightly colored playground and picnic pavilions that can be reserved for parties of up to 75 people. Those who prefer the indoors can head to the Sports Center at Grijalva Park for athletic courts as well as exercise equipment. At El Modena Open Space, locals can hike over steep hills for scenic vistas of Orange County, nearby mountains and the ocean on clear days.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park is situated in the city of Orange, near the eastern edge of the OC.
Grijalva Park is where many neighbors gather for play time.
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Community events
At the annual Taste of Villa Park, residents can enjoy live music, an auction and food in the Villa Park Town Center. Villa Park Little League Opening Day features a parade and ceremonies before the first baseball game of the season.
Enjoy the morning seeing some great cars at Villa Park Cars & Coffee.
The Old Watertower gives a rustic feel to the Villa Park Town Center in California.
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Commutes to Anaheim and logistics
For commutes to Anaheim, Villa Park is around 10 miles away via California 55, which can take 15 minutes or longer during rush hour. If residents don’t feel like driving, they can hop on Orange County Transit Authority buses at a few local stops. For a nearby hospital, residents can go to Chapman Global Medical Center, about 3 miles from town. The closest major airport is the John Wayne Airport, located 10 miles away in Santa Ana.
The OC Bus system in Villa Park runs on-time and has great customer service.
On a sunny day, you can take a jog around Grijalva Park in the city around Villa Park, CA.
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Photography Contributed By
Christiaan Cruz
Video By
Francesco Basti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Keven Stirdivant,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Newly rebuilt in late 2022 from the studs out and completely reimagined and expanded, this fabulous new home in Villa Park is truly unparalleled. Move-in ready, the residence offers the rare and enviable combination of newer construction in an established neighborhood, with mature landscaping and a prime corner homesite of about .46 acres adding to its undeniable appeal. Bathed in natural light
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Set in the heart of Villa Park—a city celebrated for its large lots, minimal commercial development, and strong sense of community—9111 Loma Street is a rare opportunity to own a refined, multi-generational estate in one of Orange County’s most exclusive enclaves. This 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom custom residence is thoughtfully designed for flexible living, blending elegance with everyday function.
Newly rebuilt in late 2022 from the studs out and completely reimagined and expanded, this fabulous new home in Villa Park is truly unparalleled. Move-in ready, the residence offers the rare and enviable combination of newer construction in an established neighborhood, with mature landscaping and a prime corner homesite of about .46 acres adding to its undeniable appeal. Bathed in natural light
Discover a remarkable Villa Park estate designed for comfortable multi-generational living and effortless entertaining. Situated on over half an acre, this thoughtfully rebuilt 2024 residence offers refined design, luxurious features, and incredible versatility. The property includes a detached ADU (approx. 750 sqft) complete with a full kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and laundry—perfect for guests,
Set in the heart of Villa Park—a city celebrated for its large lots, minimal commercial development, and strong sense of community—9111 Loma Street is a rare opportunity to own a refined, multi-generational estate in one of Orange County’s most exclusive enclaves. This 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom custom residence is thoughtfully designed for flexible living, blending elegance with everyday function.
WE often talk about a dream home, but never describes what a dream home is like. This property is truly a dream home with everything you can imagine built into this masterpiece. Upon opening of the front door, you will be amazed at the high ceilings, the solid wood flooring, the spectacular chandeliers the beautiful stair rail leading up to the second floor. Beyond the window, you will gaze
A Charming single story condo offering both privacy and functionality in a peaceful community setting. This two bed and two bath home features vaulted ceilings, brick fireplace and open living space. 1 car garage with washer dryer hook ups and an additional parking spot included. This is a must see home that wont last long!
Welcome to 2528 N San Miguel Dr, located in the prestigious gated community of Portofino Estates in Orange, CA. This beautifully upgraded residence offers luxurious living space with 5 spacious bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, sitting on nearly half an acre of private, view-enhanced land. The home features soaring ceilings, a grand marble entry, elegant finishes, a chef’s kitchen with stainless steel
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