Rancho Mission Viejo is a master-planned community and census-designated place in unincorporated South Orange County, California, near San Juan Capistrano. It sits on the land of Rancho Mission Viejo, one of the Mexican Ranchos of California, formed from a series of land grants to John Forster in 1845. Its population is roughly 14,000, and the community is still building out toward its long-range plan. The community has developed in phases across a series of villages. Sendero was the first to welcome residents, followed by Esencia and then Rienda, and Gavilán Ridge is devoted to single-level homes for residents age 55 and older. Each village carries its own clubhouse, pools, parks, and gathering spaces, while Sendero Marketplace anchors retail and dining. At build-out, the community is planned to include thousands of homes across multiple future neighborhoods. The defining feature of Rancho Mission Viejo is The Reserve, a roughly 17,000-acre nature preserve that surrounds the villages and preserves the rancho's hills, canyons, and trails. Residents have direct access to miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, along with nature walks, astronomy programs, and volunteer opportunities organized around the preserve. Public schools belong to the Capistrano Unified School District, with the Esencia TK-8 School located within the community and additional campuses planned as it grows. The community sits along Ortega Highway, near Interstate 5 and the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, with the beaches of Dana Point and San Clemente a short drive away. The result is a master-planned ranch community that pairs new-construction living with one of Orange County's largest protected open spaces.