Where is Placentia, California, U.S.

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

Where is Placentia, California Located in the United States? - Placentia is a city located in the Orange County in California, United States. Placentia lies between 33.8711 Degrees North latitudes and -117.8628 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Placentia, Orange, California

Where is Placentia Located in Orange, California

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

Placentia Map, California, USA

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

About Placentia, Orange County, California

Placentia 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 northern portion of Orange County near the Puente Hills. The city was incorporated in 1926 and was named after the Latin word “placentia,” meaning a pleasant place to live, and it developed from citrus groves and agricultural land into a residential and commercial suburban community.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Placentia is 52,558 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 7,700 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Placentia covers a total area of approximately 6.6 square miles (about 17.1 square kilometers), including about 6.6 square miles (17.1 square kilometers) of land and a minimal amount of water area.

Location and Surroundings

Placentia is situated east of Fullerton and west of Yorba Linda, positioned within a gently rolling landscape in northern Orange County. The city features residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and nearby hills and parks. State Route 57 and State Route 91 provide major transportation routes connecting Placentia to other communities across Orange County and the greater Los Angeles region.

Top Attractions

Placentia offers parks, cultural sites, and community facilities that support recreation and local tourism. Popular destinations include Tri-City Park, the Placentia Heritage Festival grounds, and the historic George Key Ranch. The city hosts seasonal festivals, farmers markets, and community events reflecting its local heritage.

Transportation

Placentia is served by nearby State Route 57 and State Route 91, offering convenient highway access throughout Orange County and Southern California. Public transportation includes regional bus services and nearby Metrolink commuter rail connections linking the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is John Wayne Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the south.

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 Placentia 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

Placentia, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPlacentia
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States (Pacific Region)
Latitude33.8722° N
Longitude117.8703° W
Elevation272 ft (83 m)
Land Area6.61 sq mi
Water Area0.01 sq mi
Total Area6.62 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)51,824
Population DensityApproximately 7,838 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes92870, 92871
Area Code714, 657
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-57526
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 40th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Placentia

CategoryDetails
Airport NameJohn Wayne Airport
IATA CodeSNA
PortPort of Long Beach (regional access)
Major HighwaysCalifornia State Route 57, California State Route 91, California State Route 55 (nearby), Imperial Highway (SR 90)
Train/Amtrak ServiceMetrolink Orange County Line via Placentia Station (opening service), nearby Fullerton Transportation Center for Amtrak
Local Bus/Transit ServiceOrange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
  • California State Route 57 – Major north–south freeway connecting Placentia with Anaheim, Brea, Pomona, and Interstate 10.
  • California State Route 91 – Important east–west freeway providing access to Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County communities.
  • California State Route 55 – Nearby freeway linking the city with Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach.
  • Imperial Highway (State Route 90) – Regional arterial connecting Placentia with Yorba Linda, La Habra, and surrounding cities.

Top Places to Visit in Placentia, California

Landmark NameType
George Key Ranch Historic ParkHistoric Park
Bradford HouseHistoric House Museum
Tri-City ParkCommunity Park
Kraemer Memorial ParkCommunity Park
Yorba Linda Regional ParkRegional Park
Fullerton ArboretumBotanical Garden
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and MuseumPresidential Museum
Carbon Canyon Regional ParkRegional Park
Placentia Champions Sports ComplexSports Complex
Downtown PlacentiaHistoric District

Driving Distances from Placentia, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
FullertonCalifornia310 minutes
Yorba LindaCalifornia410 minutes
AnaheimCalifornia715 minutes
BreaCalifornia410 minutes
OrangeCalifornia920 minutes
Santa AnaCalifornia1325 minutes
IrvineCalifornia2130 minutes
Long BeachCalifornia2735 minutes
Los AngelesCalifornia3345 minutes
RiversideCalifornia3745 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Placentia, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
California State University, FullertonPublicUniversityBusiness, engineering, and teacher education
Fullerton CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer and career education
Hope International UniversityPrivateUniversityChristian liberal arts and business
Chapman UniversityPrivateUniversityFilm, law, and health sciences
Santiago Canyon CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer training and associate degrees
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Placentia, California

Santa Ana River, Carbon Creek, Brea Creek, Fullerton Creek, Tri-City Park Lake, Yorba Linda Lake, Santiago Creek.

Golf Courses in Placentia

Alta Vista Country Club, Black Gold Golf Club, Birch Hills Golf Course, Anaheim Hills Golf Course, Fullerton Golf Course.

Placentia, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Placentia was founded in the late nineteenth century as an agricultural community known for its citrus groves, walnut orchards, and vineyards.
  • The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway helped the community expand by improving transportation for agricultural products and local businesses.
  • Placentia was officially incorporated as a city in 1926 as residential neighborhoods and commercial development continued to grow.
  • During the second half of the twentieth century, the city evolved from an agricultural economy into a suburban community within the rapidly expanding Orange County metropolitan area.
  • Today, Placentia is recognized for its historic downtown, family-friendly neighborhoods, quality schools, and convenient location near major employment centers and Southern California attractions.

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