With just over three million residents, Orange County is the third most populous county in California, and county seat Santa Ana is the OC’s second largest city with more than 330,000 people. It also claims more than 40 miles of the Pacific coastline, while its southeastern end borders on the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Whether taking a low-key sunset walk on Huntington Beach Pier or enjoying a lively day at a theme park with the kids, you’ll find it here. People relocate from all over to retire in the Golden State, but not everyone finds a fast-paced lifestyle enticing and may prefer suburban living. If this describes you, check out the top 10 suburbs surrounding Santa Ana, including ones that also made the list of safest cities in California.
10. Seal Beach
Population: 24,119
Median Home Value: $358,700
Mean Travel Time to Work: 32 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 601
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 39
Only 30 minutes from Santa Ana is the coastal suburb of Seal Beach. It has a patriotic flavor and is proud to be home to the World War II Submarine National Memorial West. And with California State University Long Beach just three miles north, the town has a youthful feel. If you enjoy biking, ride over to the San Gabriel River Trail, a 28-mile paved bike path. Embrace the energy in Seal Beach and browse these new homes today!
9. Los Alamitos
Population: 11,529
Median Home Value: $755,000
Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 156
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 8
Located about 30 minutes southwest of Los Angeles, Los Alamitos offers a farmer’s market, high-end boutiques and diverse cuisine. If you are searching for an affluent small-town getaway after a long day’s work in the city, then it is highly probable you will find your perfect new home in Los Alamitos.
8. Placentia
Population: 51,671
Median Home Value: $609,400
Mean Travel Time to Work: 29 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 904
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 120
About 10 miles north of Santa Ana is Placentia, one of the larger suburbs on our list. It offers upscale amenities, as well as plenty of retail shops and eateries. The community-oriented residents place a high value on family fun and appreciate their excellent education system. Discover your new home in Placentia.
7. Laguna Beach
Population: 22,991
Median Home Value: $1,700,400
Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 443
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 90
The small coastal city of Laguna Beach is in a league of its own in offering an ultra-high-end lifestyle, as well as some of the best schools in the state. If you are the adventurous type, the waves and a surfboard may appeal to you. Or you may prefer to hike through Heisler Park or stroll through the Laguna Art Museum. The city is known for its many art galleries as well. Come see what you’ve been missing!
6. Laguna Niguel
Population: 66,266
Median Home Value: $795,300
Mean Travel Time to Work: 29 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 640
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81
Adjacent to Laguna Beach, Laguna Nigel is the largest suburb on our list. You will find multiple upscale shopping venues and great restaurants with diverse fare. This inland town also has a reputation for art appreciation. Outdoor enthusiasts are sure to fall in love with all of the amenities at the Laguna Niguel Regional Park, such as volleyball and tennis courts, hiking trails and a 44-acre stocked lake. Come find your new dream home!
5. Dana Point
Population: 33,730
Median Home Value: $861,600
Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 504
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 69
Located adjacent to Capistrano Beach, Dana Point is a truly delightful sliver of paradise. This seaside community offers numerous elite boutiques and fine dining. During the evenings, you can enjoy vibrant, live music along the harbor. Check out all of the new homes awaiting you in Dana Point.
4. Rancho Santa Margarita
Population: 48,325
Median Home Value: $652,400
Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 316
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 46
Rancho Santa Margarita is situated near the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains and is home to numerous parks that offer hiking and biking trails and plenty of family activities. It’s a suburb where you can truly get away from it all. Come explore the new home communities in Rancho Santa Margarita.
3. Aliso Viejo
Population: 51,783
Median Home Value: $610,600
Mean Travel Time to Work: 26 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 445
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 43
Aliso Viejo is located in the San Joaquin Hills and is brimming with parks and golf courses. The Aliso Viejo Country Club has one of only two private Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses in Orange County. In this community, you can listen one evening to Beethoven at the Soka Performing Arts Center, and the next, you can listen to local birds and wildlife while hiking through Wood Canyon Trail. No two days are ever alike in Aliso Viejo, so look now to find your new home.
2. San Juan Capistrano
Population: 36,013
Median Home Value: $678,200
Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 351
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 84
San Juan Capistrano, located about 20 miles south of Santa Ana, was founded as a Spanish mission and has deep historical roots. This suburb is a haven for those who love a laid-back lifestyle. You can sway to an afternoon concert in the park and take in a leisurely dinner afterward. Shopping venues range from more affordable to designer brands. Swallows consider this town their domain, arriving every March like clockwork from their winter migration. Discover the magic of San Juan Capistrano in your new home.
1. Laguna Woods
Population: 16,046
Median Home Value: $278,300
Mean Travel Time to Work: 23 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 108
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 10
Located about 14 miles from Santa Ana is the smaller suburb of Laguna Woods. It borders the 7,000-acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, allowing residents easy access whenever they wish to experience the great outdoors. It’s a tight-knit community loaded with engaging events that are bound to suit everyone. Come explore the new homes in Laguna Woods.
Additional Suburbs
| Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
| Laguna Hills | 31,024 | $688,200 | 25 minutes | A | 402 | 55 |
| Fountain Valley | 55,814 | $688,000 | 28 minutes | A | 1,496 | 52 |
| Cypress | 48,958 | $605,600 | 32 minutes | A | 704 | 58 |
| Brea | 43,601 | $635,400 | 34 minutes | A | 1,293 | 83 |
| Villa Park | 5,839 | $1,156,600 | 27 minutes | A- | 57 | 0 |
| Costa Mesa | 113,615 | $707,600 | 23 minutes | A- | 3,792 | 344 |
| Westminster | 90,938 | $581,900 | 28 minutes | A- | 2,433 | 286 |
| La Palma | 15,568 | $634,900 | 32 minutes | A- | 334 | 20 |
| Stanton | 38,234 | $360,800 | 29 minutes | B+ | 618 | 135 |
| La Habra | 62,183 | $505,800 | 30 minutes | B | 1,155 | 111 |
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Other California Resources
Best Suburbs Surrounding San Francisco Bay Area of California
Your Complete San Francisco, CA Relocation Guide
Your Complete Guide to Moving to Bakersfield, CA
Best Suburbs Surrounding Santa Barbara, California
The Best Suburbs in Bakersfield, CA
Your complete guide to moving to Santa Barbara, CA
10 Healthiest Cities in California
The Healthiest States to Live In
The 10 Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Allergies
Best Tiny Home Builders in California
Top 10 State Parks in California
The 10 Best Places to Live in California
How to Build a House in California
The Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in California
10 Best Places to Retire in California
Your Guide to Closing Costs in California
Top Master Planned Communities near Sacramento
Top Master Planned Communities near Riverside, California
Heather Allen
Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.