Where is Mission Viejo, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Mission Viejo, California Located in the United States? - Mission Viejo is a city located in the Orange County in California, United States. Mission Viejo lies between 33.6 Degrees North latitudes and -117.6719 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Mission Viejo, Orange, California

Where is Mission Viejo Located in Orange, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Mission Viejo in Orange County, in the U.S. state of California.

Mission Viejo Map, California, USA

About Mission Viejo Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Mission Viejo, Orange County, California

Mission Viejo is located in Orange County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States within the Saddleback Valley region of Southern California. The city was incorporated in 1988 and takes its name from the historic Rancho Mission Viejo land grant, and it was master-planned as a residential community with strong neighborhood and recreational development.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Mission Viejo is 93,653 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 5,300 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mission Viejo covers a total area of approximately 18.1 square miles (about 46.9 square kilometers), including about 17.7 square miles (45.8 square kilometers) of land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Mission Viejo is situated south of Irvine and north of San Clemente, positioned inland from the Pacific Ocean in southern Orange County. The city features rolling hills, planned residential neighborhoods, and landscaped parks that define its suburban character. Interstate 5 and State Route 241 provide major transportation routes connecting Mission Viejo to surrounding communities and employment centers.

Top Attractions

Mission Viejo offers parks, lakes, and recreational facilities that support community activities and outdoor recreation. Popular destinations include Lake Mission Viejo, Oso Creek Trail, and various neighborhood parks and sports complexes. The city is also home to Saddleback College’s nearby campus services, contributing to higher education access in the region.

Transportation

Mission Viejo is served by Interstate 5 and State Route 241, offering convenient highway access throughout Orange County and Southern California. Public transportation includes regional bus services and nearby Metrolink commuter rail connections. The nearest major airport is John Wayne Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the northwest.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Mission Viejo City Website.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA Sttae MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map
Looking for a U.S. City?
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information

Mission Viejo, California Quick Facts

AttributeInformation
CityMission Viejo
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionPacific
Latitude33.6000° N
Longitude117.6719° W
Elevation410 ft (125 m)
Land Area17.66 sq mi
Water Area0.11 sq mi
Total Area17.77 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)93,653
Population DensityApproximately 5,303 per sq mi
ZIP Codes92691, 92692
Area Code949
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-48256
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 40th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Mission Viejo

CategoryInformation
Airport NameJohn Wayne Airport
IATA CodeSNA
PortDana Point Harbor (nearby)
Major HighwaysInterstate 5, California State Route 73 (nearby), Crown Valley Parkway, Marguerite Parkway
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak and Metrolink station is Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo
Local Bus/Transit ServiceOrange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
  • Interstate 5 – Primary north–south freeway connecting Mission Viejo with Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Diego.
  • California State Route 73 – Nearby toll road providing access to Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Interstate 405.
  • Crown Valley Parkway – Major east–west arterial connecting residential neighborhoods with shopping and business districts.
  • Marguerite Parkway – Principal local roadway linking parks, schools, Lake Mission Viejo, and surrounding communities.

Top Places to Visit in Mission Viejo, California

Landmark NameType
Lake Mission ViejoLake
Oso Creek TrailNature Trail
Oso Viejo Community ParkPark
Norman P. Murray Community and Senior CenterCommunity Center
Mission Viejo Country ClubGolf Club
The Shops at Mission ViejoShopping Center
Arroyo Trabuco Golf ClubGolf Course
Whiting Ranch Wilderness ParkWilderness Park
Saddleback ChurchLandmark
Mission Viejo LibraryLibrary

Driving Distances from Mission Viejo, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Laguna HillsCalifornia310 minutes
Lake ForestCalifornia615 minutes
Rancho Santa MargaritaCalifornia615 minutes
Laguna NiguelCalifornia715 minutes
IrvineCalifornia1520 minutes
San ClementeCalifornia1825 minutes
Newport BeachCalifornia2230 minutes
AnaheimCalifornia3240 minutes
RiversideCalifornia4655 minutes
Los AngelesCalifornia551 hour

Colleges and Universities in Mission Viejo, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Saddleback CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer and career education
Soka University of AmericaPrivateUniversityLiberal arts education
University of California, IrvinePublicUniversityResearch and innovation
Concordia University IrvinePrivateUniversityLiberal arts and business programs
Chapman UniversityPrivateUniversityLaw, business, and film studies

Waterbodies in Mission Viejo, California

Lake Mission Viejo, Oso Creek, Trabuco Creek, Aliso Creek, Laguna Lake, Santiago Creek, Upper Oso Reservoir, Pacific Ocean (nearby).

Stadiums in Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo High School Diablo Stadium, Trabuco Hills High School Stadium, Saddleback College Stadium, OC Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, Angel Stadium.

Mission Viejo, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Mission Viejo was developed during the 1960s as one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States by the Mission Viejo Company.
  • The city takes its name from Rancho Mission Viejo, a historic Spanish land grant that once covered much of southern Orange County.
  • Mission Viejo was carefully designed with residential villages, parks, schools, shopping centers, and recreational amenities integrated into its layout.
  • The city officially incorporated in 1988 after decades of steady residential growth and suburban development.
  • Today, Mission Viejo is known for its high quality of life, Lake Mission Viejo, excellent public schools, and extensive parks and trail system.

References

California Related Links

California MapCalifornia County MapMap of California With Cities
California ZipcodesAirports in CaliforniaWhere is California
California Area CodesCalifornia Blank MapCalifornia River Map
US County MapCalifornia Road MapCalifornia PhysicalMap