California is the most populous in the United States. It's also the third largest state in the nation, housing almost 40 million people. Eight of the nation's most populated cities are located within California as well. Los Angeles is one of those cities. Orange County is a smaller county that borders Los Angeles county and is considered part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Most people probably do not know that Orange County is actually the second most densely populated county in California; the only one more densely populated is San Francisco County.
Orange County also houses many notable educational institutions, such as, UCI, Concordia University, Chapman University, and Cal State Fullerton.
Concordia, Irvine
UCI, Irvine
Cal State Fullerton
In California, there climate can vary greatly depending where you are located. In Northern California, there can tend to be more of a maritime climate with much more fog and marine layer year round. There also tends to be more precipitation up north. Climate in Orange County is pretty mild year round. Orange County has a Mediterranean climate year round with little rainfall. This allows residents and tourists to enjoy the weather all year, regardless of the month. Storms do come occasionally, and very rarely, parts of Silverado Canyon and Saddleback peak will be dusted with snow.
The economy of Orange County is a flourishing multifaceted area. Orange County is home to many recognizable Fortune 500 companies as well as many places we all know and love. Irvine alone is home to the headquarters for In-N-Out, Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco, Wienerschnitzel, Mazda, Kia, Samsung, Broadcom, Gateway and Blizzard Entertainment (creators of World of Warcraft). Orange County also houses Hyundai headquarters, Mitsubishi, Del Taco, Hurley, Quiksilver, and even more. Google also has headquarters in Newport Beach.
In this blog we are going to explore my birthplace and current place of residence, Orange County! There's so much more to Orange County than you see on reality television and shows such as The OC. It is a great place to raise a family and explore new things to do. Orange County is home to a little over 3 million people. Orange County has a vast array of attractions such as the many beaches as well as the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest.
As far back as historians have researched, Orange County was known to be home to numerous Native American tribes. Native American groups that were here before Europeans include the Tongva, Juaneño, and the Luiseño. In 1769, Junipero Serra set out to explore the areas around present-day Orange County. Gaspar de Portolá led the specific expedition that specified what encompasses Orange County. Junipero Serra set up the first European settlement Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776. The mission was named after Giovanni da Capistrano, a priest who was alive in 15th century Italy. Mission San Juan Capistrano is home to California's oldest residential neighborhood. It is also the oldest building that remains actively used in the states of California. The first winery in all of California was also established in San Juan Capistrano at the mission. There has been a long standing difference of facts when it comes to deciding whether or not San Juan Capistrano was the first town in California. There are credible sources that say both San Diego and San Juan Capistrano are the oldest and first cities in California.
Following the establishment of Mission San Juan Capistrano, more Spaniards entered the area and made names for themselves. José Manuel Nieto and José Antonio Yorba were among those that came with Junipero Serra. They were given Rancho Los Nietos and Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Many other ranches in Orange County were granted to settlers by the Mexican government throughout the 1800s. in the 1860s, there was a massive drought that discouraged continuing the prevalent cattle industry that was present on many ranches.
Santiago Canyon
Loma Ridge, Irvine
Following the drought that halted the fast growing cattle industry on the ranches, the Mexican government granted land to non-Mexicans. James Irvine and Richard O'Neill received large pieces of land as a result of this. Chances are that you have probably heard of James Irvine and his legacy that followed; e.g. Irvine, the Irvine Company, Irvine Ranch, etc. Richard O'Neill is less widely known, but also had a significant impact on Orange County history. One of Orange County most visited parks, O'Neill Park, gets its name from him.
Live Oak Canyon Rd (near O'Neill Regional Park)
Irvine Family Home, Irvine Ranch
Pacific Coast Highway, El Moro/Crystal Cove 1930
CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL SETTLEMENT OF ORANGE COUNTY
Mission San Juan Capistrano; Source: Wikipedia
Blue Light Mine, Silverado Canyon; Source: OC Archives
Although Orange County is relatively new compared to the rest of the world, it has a rich history behind it. In the 23 years I've been alive, I've learned so much about my surroundings and how they have come to be what they are now.
In 1878, silver was discovered in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County. Following the discovery, many people traveled from around the United States to what is now known as Silverado (hence the name) and mined in the Blue Light Mine. If you ever have the chance to travel to Silverado, many of the old structures and remnants of the mines can still be found.
