Orange County City Mottos
What are the mottos of Orange County's 34 incorporated cities? Some have formally adopted mottos, while others are known for tourism slogans, promotional taglines, historical phrases or nicknames. The table below distinguishes confirmed official mottos from phrases previously associated with a city. “Not confirmed” does not mean a city has no motto. Explore the full Orange County cities guide for more local information.
Orange County City Mottos, Slogans and Nicknames
Research note (October 2026): Anaheim, Irvine and Tustin have direct municipal documentation linked below. Other phrases are retained from the earlier directory as historical or previously reported entries until an authoritative city source confirms their current status. Do not interpret every phrase as an officially adopted motto.
| City | Motto, slogan or nickname | Classification / verification |
|---|---|---|
| Aliso Viejo | Live Life Inspired | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Anaheim | City of Kindness | Official city motto (adopted 2017) |
| Brea | The city of oil, oranges, and opportunity | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Buena Park | Center of the Southland | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Costa Mesa | City of the Arts | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Cypress | Education - Cooperation - Progress | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Dana Point | Harboring the Good Life | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Fountain Valley | A Nice Place to Live | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Fullerton | The Education Community | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Garden Grove | City of Youth and Ambition | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Huntington Beach | Soul of SoCal | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Irvine | City of Innovation | Historical city motto (2012) |
| Laguna Beach | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Laguna Hills | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Laguna Niguel | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Laguna Woods | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| La Habra | A Caring Community | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Lake Forest | Remember the past, challenge the future | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| La Palma | City of Vision | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Los Alamitos | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Mission Viejo | Make Living Your Mission | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Newport Beach | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Orange | A Slice of Old Town Charm | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Placentia | A pleasant place to live | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| San Clemente | Spanish Village-by-the-Sea | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| San Juan Capistrano | Preserving The Past To Enhance The Future | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Santa Ana | The Golden City; Downtown Orange County; Education First | Historical/promotional phrases; not independently confirmed |
| Seal Beach | Not confirmed | No current motto confirmed |
| Stanton | Community Pride and Forward Vision | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Tustin | City of Trees | Official city motto |
| Villa Park | The Hidden Jewel | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Westminster | The City of Progress Built on Pride | Previously reported phrase; official status unverified |
| Yorba Linda | Land of Gracious Living | City identity phrase; official status not established |
What Is the Difference Between a Motto, Slogan and Nickname?
A motto expresses a community's values or identity and may be formally adopted by its government. A slogan or tagline is often used in marketing or tourism promotions and may change over time. A nickname is an informal or familiar name, whether or not the city uses it officially. A phrase appearing on a website or in a brochure does not, by itself, establish that the city council adopted it as an official motto.
Notable Orange County City Mottos
Anaheim — City of Kindness: The Anaheim City Council adopted this as the city's official motto in 2017. The city explains its origins and the emphasis on community connection.
Irvine — City of Innovation: This was approved for 2012 as part of Irvine's 40th anniversary. It is listed as a historical motto rather than an unqualified current official motto.
Tustin — City of Trees: Tustin's official City Facts page explicitly identifies “City of Trees” as its city motto. The city's history of trees also helps explain the phrase.
Villa Park — The Hidden Jewel: This phrase is associated with the small residential city, but its status as a formally adopted city motto still needs a primary-source confirmation. Yorba Linda — Land of Gracious Living: “Gracious Living” is reflected in the city's official flag symbolism, although that does not by itself verify the longer phrase as an official motto.
Sources and Further Reading
- City of Anaheim: City of Kindness
- City of Irvine: 2012 motto announcement
- City of Tustin: City Facts
- City of Yorba Linda: City Flag symbolism
- County of Orange: Official city directory
For more about individual communities, see our Orange County cities directory. City branding and adopted mottos can change, so consult the city's own website for the most recent official wording.
