City of Villa Park

The City of Villa Park, also known as the Hidden Jewel, is Orange County’s smallest city with an area of approximately 2.1 miles and a population of less than 6,000. Villa Park is centrally located near local freeways providing easy access to all that Orange County has to offer. The City of Villa Park profile includes city history and information for residential services, shopping, dining, and points of interest throughout the city.

City of Villa Park, California
About Villa Park	History	Things to Do
City Statistics	Information & Services	Schools & Libraries

About Villa Park

Villa Park is located approximately 35 miles south of Los Angeles, in the center of Orange County. The city is bordered by Anaheim, Orange, and Yorba Linda. The city of Villa Park is zoned primarily for single-family residences, many on half-acre lots.

There is one main shopping center in the city – the Villa Park Town Center – located on Santiago Boulevard, which features a grocery store, specialty shops and offices, banks, a pharmacy, and a postal substation. There are a variety of dining options here including pizza, donuts, bagels, and Mexican food. The public library and Villa Park City Hall are also located in the Town Center.

Throughout the city there are dirt path walking and horse trails including the beautifully landscaped Villa Park Knowles greenbelt with fitness stations.

Small Park & Trail in Villa Park — Villa Park Knowles greenbelt

Because the city is primarily residential, the majority of working adults commute out of the city to other destinations for work such as Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Orange, and Los Angeles.

The city also puts an emphasis on recycling, with weekly curbside pick up of newspapers, aluminum cans, plastic, glass, and other recyclable items. More than 80% of the residents participate in the recycling program and the city has reduced their landfill waste weight by 25%.

Although the city is small, they have an active community with many special and annual events often organized by the Villa Park Women’s League or the Villa Park Community Services Foundation. In addition to events, the Women’s League organizes a calendar of social and recreational activities like book clubs, bunco, play groups, and hobby clubs. For additional recreational activities and community organized classes, residents rely on surrounding cities of Anaheim and Orange.

There are a number of popular regional parks nearby with hiking trails, playgrounds, and more. Irvine Regional Park is located where Santiago Canyon Road meets Jamboree and features the Orange County Zoo, the Irvine Park Railroad, an equestrian center, the Irvine Outdoor Education Center, and multiple hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

Villa Park History

Villa Park was originally called Mountain View, but when the post office was built, the city was forced to change it’s name as there was already a city named Mountain View, located in the Bay Area near San Jose. The modern origins of the city dates back to 1860. Early settlers focused on agricultural production and grapes, walnuts, and apricots were common products of the area. Citrus became a popular crop and eventually grew to be the city’s major crop for 60 years. The citrus ranchers were the ones who shaped the city into what it is today and protected its zoning practices with incorporation in 1962.

Suspended Jet over Infinity Pool Villa Park — Airplane Hangar Styled Home with Suspended Jet over Infinity Pool in Villa Park

The ranching families established the Serrano Water District and the Villa Park Orchard’s Association. The Serrano Water District still serves the city of Villa Park today, and the Villa Park Orchard’s Association is still a successful business focusing on the production of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and lemons.

Villa Park Statistics

Size: Approximately 2.1 Square Miles
Population: 5,861 (2019)

Things to Do in Villa Park

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Villa Park Community & Entertainment:

Schools & Libraries

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Villa Park Library

Best Hiking & Mountain Biking Trails	Colleges & Universities in OC
Best Regional Parks in OC	Restaurants With A View In Orange County
Shopping Centers in OC	Taste of Orange County Events

Heidi Deal

Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights. When she's not writing you can find her solo hiking and going on new adventures with her kids and pup.

About Villa Park

Villa Park History

Villa Park Statistics

Things to Do in Villa Park

Schools & Libraries

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