Orange is a slice of small town charm.  Over the past 100 years, we have grown from a thriving agricultural center into a quaint but lively city.  The City of Orange creates the perfect balance with attractive neighborhoods and a strong business base, while maintaining a sense of community and the small town values upon which it was founded. Rumor has it the city was named in a poker game. City leaders couldnt agree on a name, one wanted Orange, one Lemon, one Almond and the other Olive.  So they had it out in a poker game, and Orange won.  Its a fun and charming story, two qualities the city continues to embody today.  The original city center is what we now call Old Towne Orange.  It is our charming downtown, the heart of our city, with antique stores, art galleries and restaurants, drawing locals and visitors alike from many miles around.  Old Towne Orange is still the congregating point for many of the citys great events.  In Orange you can find all things necessary for fantastic living.  Whether you come for the sake of your family, your business, or both, Orange offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional prosperity.  There is a place for you in Orange.

Nature lovers can feel right at home in Orange.  With miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, as well as roller-blading and other athletic play spaces including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, volleyball courts, handball courts, swimming pools, playgrounds and basketball courts.  There isnt anything you cant do in Orange.  The 477-acre Irvine Park is truly one of the most dynamic places in all of Orange.  Nestled among a grove of heritage Oak and Sycamore trees and with the Santiago Creek running through the middle, Irvine Park provides a serene setting for leisure activities.  And, the rolling foothills surrounding the park are filled with a variety of wildlife.  The park also includes a nature center, a lagoon, mini-railroad, pedal boats, bike rentals, and picnic areas with barbecues and ballfields, a volleyball court, and eight horseshoe pits.  It is a great family place.  Irvine Park is also home to the Orange County Zoo, where you can see birds and animals native to the Southwest in naturalistic habitats.  Animals to see include the black bear, mountain lion, North American porcupine, beaver, bald eagle, golden eagle and many more.  Harbor seal, bison and many more animals will be coming to the zoo in the future.  Children can enjoy the petting zoo, where they can feed cows, goats, sheep and other barnyard animals.  Other great places to enjoy are the Peters Canyon Regional Park, which offers an assortment of wildlife habitats while Santiago Oaks Regional Park and Nature Center has over 10 miles of trails reaching into the hills between Orange and Anaheim Hills.  The Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 150 species of birds.  Irvine Lake is a quiet, scenic fishing lake nestled at the base of the Cleveland National Forest.  The 700-acre Irvine Lake is fed by Santiago Creek and with steep rocky cliffs, shallow coves, deep creek channels, submerged high spots, and overhanging trees Irvine Lake is a unique place to be.  It provides an excellent fishing and family park environment.  For other ways to enjoy fresh air, try the Orange County Badminton Club, which features the largest badminton facility in the Western Hemisphere, it is also the National Badminton Training Center.  And then theres the Ridgeline Country Club with 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole executive golf course, and a driving range. The Club is the proud home of the Orange County Tennis Academy and the Orange County Golf Academy, one of the largest and most successful junior golf programs in the country.

Orange has plenty of places to play and The Block at Orange is one of the best for shopping, dining, and entertainment.  Millions of shoppers and fun seekers merge on this hot spot every year.  There is something for everyone at The Block, with Gameworks and Dave & Busters, two incredibly fun restaurants/arcades, a 30-screen AMC movie complex, a Borders Books & Music, a Virgin Megastore, a microbrewery, and clothing stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy and Ron Jon Surf Shop.  If you or the kids like to spend your time on 4 wheels, check out the Vans Skate Park, the worlds largest and most technically advanced skate facility, also located at The Block. The Stadium Promenade boasts a large movie complex and great eateries.  The Village at Orange features more than 100 specialty shops and restaurants.  For speed and excitement, Dromo 1 is the indoor racing experience. Whether you are friends or foes, relatives or co-workers, Dromo 1 allows you to go head to head in a fun and competitive environment with up to nine drivers competing in each go-kart race. Orange is only a hop skip and jump from Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, musical venues like the House of Blues, and Verizon Amphitheatre, and sporting events like Anaheim Angels and Mighty Ducks games.  And, Old Towne Orange truly is a place to see. It remains the heart and cutural center of the city.  The center has provided backdrops to such films as "That Thing You Do!" and "Small Soldiers."  Old Towne is a great place to enjoy restaurants, stores, specialty shops and the central plaza park.  Chapman University also plays host to musical guests and ensembles including classical, jazz, opera and rock performers.  

No community is complete without great events and Orange is no exception. Uncle Sam's Third of July Celebration offers a spectacular fireworks display, games and live entertainment.  Meet  at Old Towne Orange for The Orange International Street Fair which brings together good people, good food, and good music from a variety of cultures at the city's biggest event.  This fair has been a tradition since 1910, and includes celebrations of Greek, German, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Mexican, Irish, Norwegian, Indian and American food and music.  Christmas in April brings the community together in a wonderful way.  A handful of needy homeowners get a helping hand from volunteers throughout Southern California.  Local officials for the national Christmas in April organization select homes to receive interior and exterior improvements.  Old Towne Plaza is closed to motorists and opened to thousands of trick-or-treaters for the Trick or Treat Through the Streets and Autumn Festival.  Kids in costumes go store to store in search of candy.  The Tree-Lighting Ceremony is a two-day Christmas event culminating with the lighting of a giant pine tree in the Plaza Park. Last year's event included Christmas carols performed by a 350-voice choir accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra.  Its a great way to spend time with loved ones. 

A great education is so important to get children off on the right foot.  In Orange, parents and educators alike believe this whole-heartedly.  The Orange Unified School District provides a curriculum and learning environment of excellence and high expectations to provide each child with the opportunity to excel.  I appreciate the schools celebration of learning, and the emphasis on development of the whole child.  Their commitment to excellence combined with community support, provides a quality education for all our children.

From the beginning, Orange has been a business friendly city.  Not much has changed and that is why a number of great companies and organizations continue to call Orange home.  There truly is no shortage of great places to work in Orange.  Top employers includes St. Joseph Hospital, the UCI Medical Center, Universal Protection Service, Experian Information Solutions Inc., Children's Hospital of Orange County, Mitsushiba International Inc., Nowant Aerospace Corp., Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., Long Beach Mortgage Company, SVG Thermco, SKB, Inc, and Varco International.  Orange shares in the prosperity of all Orange County, with opportunities in every field and tremendous buying power.  Orange County has one of the strongest economies in the nation and also enjoys being one of the safest.  There is a place for everyone in Orange.  Homes in the hills feature ranch-style properties, with some overlooking the entire city.  Homes in the Old Towne area feature authentic historical architecture, with some dating back to the 1800s.  And, still more homes in the west end of town feature easy access to three major freeways and to The Block at Orange.

Orange is an ideal place to live and play. We have a great community for family and business.  Come find your place in Orange.

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