The 9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Orange County

Sunny Orange County, known around the world as ‘The OC’, perfectly embodies living out the California dream. With a relaxed elegance that permeates the laid-back surf culture, Orange County is home to 42 miles of stunning coastline and some of the most famous theme parks on the planet.

Orange County is centrally located in Southern California and has a population of more than 3 million people–more residents than 21 of the U.S. states!

With Los Angeles to the north, San Diego to the south, the Santa Ana mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the OC enjoys a coveted convenient location in the middle of the best of all the beauty and action that SoCal has to offer.

Perfect weather all year long, immaculate and well-maintained beaches, world-famous attractions, and incredibly safe cities are just a few of the reasons why people are flocking to Orange County.

Whether you’re bumping into someone famous at the grocery store or enjoying the natural wonders at the popular Crystal Cove State Park, life here is never boring.

So, grab your GoPro, polish that surfboard, and make sure to learn the crazy traffic patterns as you make your way over to this pristine paradise. Join the crowds of young people heading over to enjoy the vibrant nightlife, funky eateries, and natural beauty of Orange County, where you’re never far from the beach.

In order to help you find that perfect beach-bum lifestyle at the right price, we've prepared a list of the top nine beautiful and charming cities that have made Orange County so famous and highly popular.

What's more, we've built a ranking system for each one to help you make this big decision. We’re ranking:

• Atmosphere: nightlife & entertainment, shopping & restaurants, and beauty & parks

• Amenities: schools, public transit, and points of interest

• Experience: safety, affordability, and walkability

The end result is a prioritized list of the best places to move to in Orange County, California.

Why listen to us? We may not have as many world-class waves as Orange County, but we have been chasing the ideal rental experience across the USA for a long time. We’ve learned a thing or two along the way!

Perfect for young people looking for spectacular sunsets, surfing and seafood.

San Clemente is known by many as the ‘Spanish Village by the Sea’. This historic city has a cozy, small-town feel–a place where you’ll recognize your neighbors on their morning jog and remember the names of all of their adorable furry friends.

This tight-knit community savors the ideal mix of beach town bliss and an established, residential community along four miles of scenic coastline.

With breathtaking ocean views, a charming downtown, historic attractions, and brilliant sunshine, San Clemente is a quaint place that will make you feel at home before you can say more sunscreen please.

For a vast, spacious place to set up camp for the weekend, check out San Clemente State Beach. This mile-long sandy stretch between the waves and the bluff offers the perfect place to throw a frisbee, play some Spikeball, or pop open that fully stocked cooler and enjoy the good vibes.

Looking for the best deals in Orange County? Head over to the Outlets at San Clemente, the region’s biggest outlet shopping destination. Whether you’re looking to set the newest trends or looking to pick up your next piece of outdoor gear for your collection, you won’t have any issues finding something you need here at truly unbeatable prices.

Due to the limited options for transport around the neighborhood, San Clemente scores a 2/5 in Public Transit and in Walkability. So, grab some friends and get ready to carpool to all of the relaxing beach fun that San Clemente has to offer.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how San Clemente scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking to live in an innovative economic powerhouse conveniently located in the middle of Orange County.

Irvine is the center of Orange County, a safe and well-maintained community that consistently rates as ‘America’s Safest Big City.’ This booming business hub is nestled inland, about 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Here in this multicultural area residents speak more than 70 languages. Irvine has a strong concentration of universities including the city’s largest academy, the famous University of California at Irvine. This melting pot of culture, tradition, and innovation places an impressive emphasis on art and education.

For your outdoor adventure cravings, Irvine has you covered with proximity to thousands of acres of protected natural landscapes. Take advantage of your precious free-time and hike or bike your way down the Mountains to Sea Trail, a 22-mile route that starts in Weir Canyon and ends in Cleveland National Forest after passing through five major cities.

Bond with your four-legged friends on Quill Hill Trail or get your morning run in amidst giant oak trees at Shady Canyons. Irvine gives you countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors whether you’re an avid trail runner or just looking for your tons of likes on your next Instagram nature post.

Thanks to the diverse culture, Irvine enjoys a killer culinary scene. The global fusion of Irvine’s close-knight community provides a dynamic and fun restaurant scene that boasts dishes from every corner of the world.

Make sure you’ve got a reliable set of wheels to get around because Irvine scores only a 2/5 in Public Transit and 3/5 in Walkability.

Irvine is ideal for those looking for a family-oriented and diverse community with a high quality of life.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Irvine scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young people looking for a strong community with gorgeous parks and top-tier schools.

Fullerton is conveniently located just north of Anaheim, a couple minutes from Irvine, and less than an hour from Los Angeles. Living in Fullerton is a prime example of suburban city-living at its finest.

It’s easy to find, make, and keep friends in this melting pot of culture, backgrounds, and lifestyles. Somewhere in between the hipster coffee shops, the sophisticated dinner parties, and the take-away pizza in the park, you’re sure to find your kind of people.

Fullerton’s got you well-covered for weekend plans. This neighborhood earns their 5-star ratings in Nightlife & Entertainment, Beauty & Parks and Points of Interest thanks to the endless ways available to enjoy your free time. From free concerts to art fairs, from the shops at Downtown Plaza to tasty food festivals, from the Fullerton Museum to the 28-acre Laguna Lake Park, the hardest thing about going out will be deciding which place to go first!

Fullerton boasts some of the best public schools in Orange County. This area is complete with five high schools and fifteen elementary schools that excel both regionally and nationally and for higher education you’ve got solid options with Fullerton College and Cal State University. These extensive options give Fullerton a well-deserved 5 stars in our Schools ranking.

Make sure you’ve got a comfy car with good gas mileage because Fullerton only scores a 2/5 in both Public Transit and Walkability.

Full of life and energy, Fullerton is the ideal place for artists, foodies, late-night party people, and vintage shoppers.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Fullerton scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young people looking to live close to the water in a neighborhood with luxury, convenience, and high-quality amenities.

Dana Point is the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World, home to epic views over ocean bluffs. This area brings together the best of laid-back surf culture and luxury living.

This small beach city with almost seven miles of coastline is dominated by an ‘all things water’ culture. With a view of the ocean around every corner, here in this area you’ll have unmatched access to the water.

Dana Point is the place to spot dolphins and whales in a responsible and sustainable way. The perfect climate and the coastal geography make it the ideal habitat for tons of marine life. Fun fact, there are more dolphins per square mile off the coast of Dana point than anywhere else in the world!

When you’re not busy taking countless photos of the incredible sea life, you can get inspiration for your dream boat at Dana Point Harbor, learn about the colorful sea life in the tidepools at Dana Cove, or hop on the Catalina Express to take a day trip out to the gorgeous Catalina Island.

Redefine what it means to have a room with a view at one of the many iconic resorts along the coast and get your ‘me time’ in the middle of stunning amenities with the sounds of the waves lulling you into a blissful state of inner peace.

Dana Point is known for their renowned harbor, small-town intimate lifestyle, and California’s first surf shop that opened in 1954. Immerse yourself in the water and come check out Dana Point, where ocean adventure awaits.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Dana Point scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for singles and young professionals looking for picturesque beachfront living.

Newport beach is an area where relaxed surf culture meets modern glamor all neatly wrapped up in classic California charm. A seamless mix of high-end living and quaint beach town vibes.

Newport Harbor is the heartbeat of the city and has become one of Orange County’s biggest tourist attractions. As the largest recreational harbor on the west coast, the harbor offers ten miles of spectacular fishing, surfing, swimming, and activities on the water.

Discover the endless fun that comes from living in one of the wealthiest cities in Orange County. A perfect score in Nightlife & Entertainment, Points of Interest, Schools, and in Safety demonstrate just how good the quality of life can be for the locals.

When you need a break from the endless sunshine and refreshing waves, head over to any of the 400 unique restaurants for a culinary adventure. For festivals, you can experience the soulful tunes at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival or find your new favorite movie at the International Film Festival. Make sure not to miss the highly popular Christmas Boat Parade as a highlight to your holiday season.

Whether you’re soaking up the sun somewhere on the eight miles of coastline, pushing your surfing limits at The Wedge, joining in on some small-town ice cream debates, or exploring Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach will waste no time in drawing you into its charming community.

This sophisticated beach oasis is ideal for those looking to enjoy the beach and the finer things in life.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Newport Beach scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young people looking for picture perfect beach living and for surfers chasing the perfect curl.

Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, is world-famous for its incredible beaches–particularly among surfers. With over eight miles of spectacular coastline, unbeatable weather, and perfect waves, this area offers world-class tourism with a neighborhood aesthetic.

Huntington Beach is a beachy haven for the free-spirited locals of all ages looking to live in harmony with the water.

Thanks to places at the beach like the International Surfing Museum and the Huntington Pier, and places off the beach like Huntington Central Park and the Bolsa Chica Ecological reserves, Huntington Beach enjoys high scores in both Beauty & Parks and Points of Interest.

Dive into beach life and walk, jog, or bike your way down the oceanfront paths. Catch the pros playing volleyball, get your training in for the Surf City USA Marathon, or join a sunny yoga class on the shore. Whatever you choose, you won’t get tired of breathing in that fresh ocean air.

If you need a break from all of the activity, head over to the Pacific City outdoor mall for trendy boutiques and unique restaurants, all with a stunning ocean view. Check into the Waterfront Beach resort for some luxurious relaxation or head over to Pasea Hotel and Spa for an epic rooftop sunset cocktail.

Join the locals at Duke’s and find your new favorite go-to meal from the delicious menu of Hawaiian seafood specialties or grab your preferred post surf snack at Sandy’s Beach Shack.

This area relishes in a perfect 5-star rating in Safety, excellent schools, good vibes, and a vibrant nightlife. Huntington Beach is perfect for people looking to live in their wetsuits and enjoy life at the beach.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Huntington Beach scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for those looking for a well-connected neighborhood brimming with art, culture, and sports.

Home to the famous Disneyland Resort, Anaheim is a crowd-pleasing destination for people from around the world. This city was built on imagination and has many hidden gems to go along with the incredibly well-known attractions.

Anaheim truly has something for everyone. For your adrenaline fix, you’ve got world class theme parks. For the die-hard sports fans, you’ve got the Angels stadium. For the foodies, you’ve got global fusion to rival any major city in the country. For the weekend drinkers you’ve got award winning craft breweries on tap all over the city. The list goes on and on and on.

From sold-out concerts at the Honda center to the foodie paradise that is the Packing District, Anaheim has a booming downtown, overflowing with an exciting nightlife.

Anaheim celebrates art of every kind. Check out the rotating exhibits at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center or brush up on your art history at the Bowers Museum. Inspire your inner child at the hands-on science and learning center called The Discovery Cube Orange County. You can even check out modern art on wheels as you make your way through the largest Ferrari collection in North America at the Macroni Automotive Museum.

With everything that Anaheim has to offer, it's almost unbelievable that it ranks as the most affordable in our top neighborhoods to live in Orange County! With an impressive 4/5 in Affordability, Public Transit and Walkability, you’ll enjoy an enchanted, convenient, and well-connected lifestyle–all without breaking the bank… truly a modern-day miracle.

Disneyland is just the beginning of this bustling town in Orange County–you’ll find magic around every street corner in Anaheim.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Anaheim scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young families looking for a safe, relaxed, and historic neighborhood in the foothills.

We’ve made it to the second-place contender in our top neighborhoods! Not to be confused with Orange County, life in the city of Orange and Villa Park is a welcome reprieve from the non-stop hustle and bustle of SoCal living.

Orange & Villa Park are ideal for those looking for a ‘slice of Oldtown charm’ without sacrificing any perks of city living. This major city is known for its small-town ambiance–convenience and enchanting character seamlessly blended together in a tight-knight, family-friendly paradise.

This laidback suburban area boasts fresh air, a laidback lifestyle, and a central location and can best be summarized as just downright pleasant.

For people considering family life in the future, Orange & Villa Park is great for families with small children. Outdoor adventure, excellent schools, friendly neighbors, the close proximity to Disneyland… There’s so much to discover and enjoy.

For storybook charm, check out Watson’s Soda Fountain & Cafe for the all-American dining experience, complete with chocolate malts and banana splits. Or head to any of the delicious spots in the welcoming, historic downtown.

A perfect 5-star rating in Shopping & Restaurants and high scores in Points of Interest, Nightlife & Entertainment, Safety, and Walkability means that you won’t have to go far to find everything you need for a comfortable, high-quality, peaceful life.

Orange & Villa Park are ideal for a slower pace of life without sacrificing culture, art, a buzzing nightlife, or classic cuisine.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Orange & Villa Park scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young people looking for a top-notch art scene and a picture-perfect coastline.

Welcome to our top neighborhood in Orange County, Laguna Beach! This beach town has it all–six miles of romantic coastline, an established artists’ community, and luxurious living.

Laguna Beach is famous for its beautiful beaches and beautiful people. In addition to an impressive offering of water sports, it’s well known for its extensive trail network that accesses more than 20,000 acres of protected land, giving the locals endless inspiration to stay fit and stay friendly. It’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by some of the best that Mother Nature has to offer.

Amidst the 30 incredible beaches and coves, don’t miss the impressive staircase at Thousand Steps Beach, the stunning seaside cliffs at Crystal Cove State Park, or the famous Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach.

Spot marine life in the distance from the breathtaking views off of the Top of the World Hike or see it up close at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, a rehabilitation center for injured seals and sea lions.

For a luxurious staycation and a chance to treat yourself to that self-care you’ve been dreaming of, head over to one of the many ocean front resorts along the coast. Or jump across Highway 1 and discover why The Ranch at Laguna Beach was named one of National Geographic’s Unique lodges of the world.

Laguna Beach has got it all, outstanding schools, endless entertainment options, a buzzing nightlife, safe neighborhoods, and unparalleled access to the water.

However you decide to spend your sunny days, you won’t ever get tired of all that Laguna Beach has to offer.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Laguna Beach scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍 📍 📍 📍 📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Time to dive into our numbers for Orange County, California.

Living in the OC basically feels like you’re on a 365-day vacation. Endless sunshine, famous amusement parks, and beaches to rival any fantasy give this place a magical atmosphere.

Excellent education and incredible nature are among the top things that Orange County has to offer. This area is one of the safest places to live in the entire country and offers a peaceful life that is hard to match anywhere else.

Add in high scores in Points of Interest, Shopping & Restaurants, and Nightlife & Entertainment and you have countless ways to enjoy yourself when the perfect waves and the fresh ocean breeze become a little too monotonous.

What Orange County lacks in Public Transit (2.7) and Walkability (3.1), it more than makes up for with a diverse culture, a world-class art scene, and good energy everywhere.

Be prepared to pay for the coveted luxurious lifestyle in the OC as Affordability scores an average of 2.9/5.

Orange County averaged a 37.2/50 for our best neighborhoods to live in the USA ranking. If you want to live on or near the best beaches in California and want to feel like you’re living on the set of the next movie set in paradise, check out Orange County, California.