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Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Frequently asked questions

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California, United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community. The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, which was in San Diego County, the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo. At 20 characters long (22 including spaces), it is the longest city name in California.

Rancho Santa Margarita is located at 33°38′29″N 117°35′40″W (33.641518, -117.594524). It occupies much of a high plateau known as Plano Trabuco.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 square miles (34 km2). 13.0 square miles (34 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.27%) is water.

Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, the census-designated places Coto de Caza and Las Flores on the south, the unincorporated Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on the east.

Vehicular access is provided by California State Route 241 (a toll road), in addition to several surface streets. Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway are the city's major thoroughfares, with Avenida De Las Banderas, Avenida Empresa, Avenida De Las Flores, and Alma Aldea being minor thoroughfares. In addition, Alicia Parkway terminates in the city providing access to Mission Viejo.

The area is the ancestral lands of the Acjachemen people. The village of Alume was located in Rancho Santa Margarita, between Trabuco Creek and Tijeras Creek. In 1810, the Trabuco Adobe was constructed near the village as an outpost of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The city seal has the brands of Rancho Mission Viejo Rancho Santa Margarita and Las Flores on the border, with artwork containing Santiago Peak in the background. The tower in the foreground symbolizes the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake Tower.

Rancho Santa Margarita emphasizes health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Rancho Santa Margarita’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Forge Fitness, Fit Body Boot Camp, and Curves. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Rancho Santa Margarita, such as the Vista Point and the Live Oak Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, and O'Neill Regional Park. 

Population: 47,853 (2010). Area code: 949. Elevation: 925 ft (282 m). Area: 13.0 square miles (34 km2). ZIP Code: 92688.

FAQs

Is Rancho Santa Margarita, CA a nice place to live?

Rancho Santa Margarita is in Orange County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Rancho Santa Margarita offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Rancho Santa Margarita there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Rancho Santa Margarita and residents tend to have moderate political views. 

Is it expensive to live in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

The median home price in Rancho Santa Margarita is $590,000 with a median price per sqft of $607. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Rancho Santa Margarita to be 252.7% of the national average. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in the US.

What is the crime rate in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 5 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Rancho Santa Margarita is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 73% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Rancho Santa Margarita is one in 193. Compared to communities within California, Rancho Santa Margarita‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 91% of the state's cities and towns. It is for these reasons that Rancho Santa Margarita is ranked as one of the top 100 safest cities in the U.S.A.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Rancho Santa Margarita’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Forge Fitness

Fit Body Boot Camp 

Curves

Vista Point 

Live Oak Trail

Tijeras Creek Golf Club

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

O'Neill Regional Park

Niche

Zero Down

Neighborhoodscout

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