North Tustin, CA Real Estate

North Tustin is not a specific city per se, but it is recognized as one of the premier areas to live in the county. Generally, it includes Tustin Ranch, parts of which are in Tustin, and parts in Irvine, and also includes well known prestige neighborhoods still in unincorporated territory such as Lemon Heights, Cowan Heights and Panorama Heights.

Cowan Heights features many luxurious homes with delightful views and a sense of privacy. Cowan Heights is part of the Foothills Community Association, which includes the unincorporated Orange County areas bounded by Santa Ana, Tustin and Orange. Lemon Heights is an estimated two square miles of unincorporated North Tustin developed in the 1920s. Once part of the Irvine Ranch, Lemon Heights now shares a border with Cowan Heights.

The area is surrounded by the cities of Tustin, Orange, Irvine and Santa Ana, and is part of the Tustin Foothills. Homes in Lemon Heights are priced from around $900,000 to over $5 million. There are seven original landmark estates in Lemon Heights that were built by the founders of the Tustin area a century ago.

Panorama Heights is true hilltop living, overlooking the city. Custom homes, many on stilts, line narrow streets such as Baja Panorama and most have spectacular city light views. For years, these neighborhoods had to use “Santa Ana” as a mailing address, but recently, the post office has authorized the use of North Tustin instead.

There is no major retail area in North Tustin, but it is close to the Tustin/Irvine Marketplace center and centers along Chapman Avenue in Orange Park Acres. Two hilltop restaurants, Orange Hill and The Orange County Mining Company are hangouts for area locals. The Tustin Hills Racquet Club is a private tennis and swimming club in the foothills, just below Cowan Heights.