Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo is about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego and is the best American embodiment of planned suburbia. Six-lane wide avenues and endless subdivisions of single-family houses surrounding pockets of strip malls are the norm.
The proper name in Spanish should be Misión Vieja, as 'mission' is a feminine noun. The masculine gender of "viejo" is a vestige from the original name of the area, "Rancho Mission Viejo"; "viejo" modified "rancho", a masculine noun. In light of the history of the area, the masculine adjective was preserved. The "Mission" of "Mission Viejo" is Mission San Juan Capistrano; Mission Viejo was a community of San Juan Capistrano until it became an independent city in 1988.

• By air, SNA (Mission Viejo is just 15 miles south of John Wayne Airport.)
• By car, I-5. Exit between El Toro Road (north end) and Crown Valley Parkway (south end).

By rail

Metrolink serves Mission Viejo via its Inland Empire and Orange County lines with direct connections from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and from San Bernardino.

• Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo railway station

  address: 28200 Forbes Rd

OCTA operates bus lines throughout the city, but renting a car is preferable and convenient.

• Lake Mission Viejo(man-made), one of the prettiest locations in Mission Viejo and all of Orange County. In order to create waterfront property in Mission Viejo before the housing boom of Southern Orange County, the lake was built and allows swimming, sailing, kayaking, and fishing. These waterfron properties typically sell upward of $2 million dollars in today's economy.

• Holy Jim Canyon & Falls

  address: Holy Jim Canyon Rd
  in the Cleveland National Forest

• Mission Viejo Public Library

  address: 100 Civic Center
  is a recent building whose impressive design was inspired by the California Arts & Crafts movement.

• Florence Joyner Olympic Park

  address: 22760 Olympiad Rd
  a beautiful park at the corner of Olympiad and Alicia Parkway built in honor of Olympian Florence Joyner who lived in the upscale Canyon Crest Estates above the park. She suddenly died in her home in the 1990s and the park is built in her memory.

Events

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• The Shops at Mission ViejoA luxurious shopping mall

• Also nearby is the Irvine Spectrum

Most Mission Viejans shy away from their local restaurants for all but casual dining, and prefer nicer restaurants in adjacent communities. However, it has a few gems:

• Eat Thai Cuisine

  phone: +1 949-707-0370
  address: 25482 Marguerite Pkwy

• In-N-Out Burger

  address: 28782 Camino Capistrano
  Californian readers will agree that this is an American institution. Fresh, cheap food in a clean restaurant. The menu is limited, but search online for their "secret code" for access to unlisted items and combinations.

• Hatam Restaurant

  phone: +1 949-768-0122
  address: 25800 Jeronimo Rd #402
  Authentic Persian food.

• PF Chang's China BistroAuthentic American style Chinese cuisine

• The Cafe at Nordstromsexcellent pastries, lattes and espressos, far superior to the Starbuck's variety (prices are reasonable).

• Shin Sushi

  phone: +1 949-582-1011
  address: 26002 Marguerite
  Fresh authentic sushi prepared by a master.

• Peppinos

  phone: +1 949-859-9556
  address: 27782 Vista del Lago #26
  A family owned Italian restaurant with sweeping view of Lake Mission Viejo in Plaza del Lago.

• Yama Sushi

  phone: +1 949-716-9262
  address: 27782 Vista del Lago
  One of Mission Viejo's best Japanese restaurants with a unique menu. Located in Plaza del Lago with lake views as well.

The local favorite is Patsies Irish Pub on the Corner of Los Alisos and Jeronimo. It is a typical American/Irish bar and is fun place with great drinks and karaoke.

• Ayres Suites Mission Viejo

  phone: +1 949-455-2545
  address: 28941 Los Alisos Blvd

• Fairfield Inn Mission Viejo Orange County

  phone: +1 949 582-7100
  address: 26328 Oso Parkway