Foothill Ranch, CA Real Estate

Foothill Ranch is a relative new community in Northeast Orange County. It was annexed into the City of Lake Forest in 2000, but has many unique neighborhood characteristics of its own.

Primarily residential, Foothill Ranch has several large shopping centers and office tracts. Some major companies are headquartered here, including Oakley, Wet Seal Stores, Alacer, Inc., and Kaiser Aluminum. Saddleback Church and its nationally known pastor Rick Warren are located in Foothill Ranch.

The opening of State Route 241, the Foothill Toll Road has spurred development in the foothill communities as they are now much more accessible. Irvine's Business Spectrum, Irvine Spectrum Center and the short drive to Laguna Beach makes it a very desirable place to live. In 2007, the city synchronized its traffic lights to shorten drive times up and down Bake Parkway, Lake Forest Boulevard and El Toro Road in order to alleviate congestion between Foothill Ranch and the I-5.

A planned community, Foothill Ranch features a mix of single-family, townhome, condo and apartment living. Portola Center is the latest development in the area. It will include homes and a new shopping center.

Home ownership in Foothill Ranch involves being an automatic member of the Foothill Ranch Maintenance Corporation, which was set up by the original developers of the master planned community. In turn, each individual tract has its own Homeowner’s Association. Rules are maintained as to what colors homes can be painted, parking restrictions, and common area maintenance.

The Foothill Ranch association is particularly vigilant about parking issues; all cars must be parked in the garage or the driveway as no street parking is allowed for homeowners. As all parcels in Foothill Ranch come under the jurisdiction of a Homeowner’s Association, all potential buyers should have a careful look at the CC&R’s as well as individual neighborhood rules and by-laws. Also, be sure to factor in monthly HOA dues.

Foothill Ranch is in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and has one high school, El Toro High School. The high school was opened in 1973. It has established itself as one of the top schools in Southern California, along with the other three comprehensive high schools in the district.