Location
Lake Forest is located where Interstate 5 and the 405 Freeway join when heading south and be accessed between Bake Parkway and El Toro Road. The eastern part of the community, specifically the areas of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills, can be accessed via the 241 Toll Road (CA 241). Lake Forest is nestled into the southern foothills of South Orange County and is surrounded by Irvine to the north, Laguna Hills to the west, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo to the south, and Trabuco and Silverado Canyon to the east. Lake Forest is approximately 20-30 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from Orange County Airport.
Overview
Lake Forest, often formerly known as El Toro, was incorporated in 1991 and is named after two man-made Lakes in the community and the large area of Eucalyptus trees between Ridge Route, Jeronimo, Serrano and Lake Forest roads. Located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. The community is home to approximately 80,000 people and over 27,000 housing units and offers retail, entertainment, golf, parks, and schools all within its boundaries.
Neighborhoods
Lake Forest real estate is diverse from age and style to amenities. Condos are some of the more affordable in south Orange County and some are located directly on one of the man-made lakes. There are also newer townhomes such as in Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch. Lake Forest homes range from older single story floor plans to large homes up on the hillsides out towards Foothill Ranch or sitting on one of the lakes with their own private dock.
Lake Forest is generally divided into five neighborhoods and features over 170 builder tracts. The areas or neighborhoods are divided into Lake Forest North, Lake Forest South, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch. The developments further east or off the 241 Toll Road of Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch offer some of the newer real estate while Lake Forest North and South represents the older developments located off Interstate 5 as you head east. The Lake associations that offer homes and condos surrounding the lakes is in Lake Forest South. There are also the various neighborhoods that are spread throughout the large 400-acre grove of Eucalyptus trees.
Amenities
Lake Forest offers numerous activities within the community from the parks, sports park, golf, lakes, schools, and shopping and entertainment.
Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center is an 86+ acre sports park and is one of the largest in Orange County. The community is also home to two county parks, Whiting Ranch in the eastern part of the community and Heritage Hill Historical Park and Museum, home to some of the oldest buildings in Orange County.
Foothill Ranch Towne Center features numerous large retailers, shops, restaurants, and a large Regal Movie Theater. Some of the older areas, including off El Toro Road, have in recent years been renovated or redeveloped with great restaurants, retail, and other services.
Lake Forest is served by Saddleback Valley Unified School District and features one high school (El Toro) within the community and one just outside on the border with Mission Viejo, Trabuco Hills High School. The community features numerous elementary and middle schools as well we private school options as well.
The surrounding areas offer a wide variety of amenities, including Irvine Spectrum just outside of the community. Beaches are 20-30 minutes away and Los Angeles is less than hour and San Diego just over an hour.
Lake Forest Real Estate – Homes and Condos for Sale
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