PICTURES of ORANGE COUNTY (Irvine, Laguna Niguel: work, homes, college)

[a1016neo]

Originally Posted by missionhome

This is a picture of the expensive Monarch Beach area of the city of Dana Point. Monarch Beach has the decent surfing beach, Salt Creek, and is home to two of the most expensive hotels in the county: The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and the St. Regis Monarch Beach.

County???? Most likely the STATE! Have you've seen the rates?!?!?!

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by a1016neo

County???? Most likely the STATE! Have you've seen the rates?!?!?!

Yes!!! They very likely could be the most expensive hotels in the state. The Montage in Laguna Beach maybe too. My husband and I had our 18th anniversary dinner at the Ritz Carlton and we about died at the bill. That was our most expensive one ever!

[missionhome]

San Clemente!!!! Orange County's southernmost city and the only one closer to San Diego than Los Angeles. SC features a few miles of beachfront, a state beach and campground, ocean view homes, golf courses, inland suburban developments (Talega), cozy and funky beach shacks, two train stations, great food, and more. Its my favorite beach town in the county.

Across from the pier:


San Clemente pier:


Ole Hanson architecture. These buildings are throughout San Clemente.




Amtrak and Metrolink trains follow the beach. Amtrak continues all the way to San Diego and Metrolink service ends at Ocean Side. Going North, Amtrak continues to Seattle and Metrolink continues to Los Angeles Union Station.


The historic city hall


Developments in the hills have nice ocean views


Downtown San Clemente on Del Mar Street




Rip Curl Surf Center, less than a mile from world famous Trestles Beach


Soon to be the development of Marblehead

[loveCali]

Thank you for the picturesque photos! Terrific!

[antibes]

Good old Laguna Beach. Even after 20 years, I'm left speechless by the views. God at His best: Laguna.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by Think (Freedom)

Ok, thats about the craziest comment I've read in a while. How many people do you know that have won the lottery? None I'm sure. My aunt and her husband lived in a $2M home in Huntington Beach, not because of dumb luck, but because she and her husband worked hard to be able to be where they're at now. There's no doubt the California market is one of the toughest in competition, but to say that luck and lottery winnings are why people can afford to live there is insane.

Yes. I do know some lottery winners. My aunt's exhusband's brother won the lottery in the late 90's. A former coworker's in-laws won the lottery in the late 80's. Many people have done things the right way. They have college degrees and are hard workers. But, they don't own 2 million dollar homes. Some that do are self employed, make investments, gamble or participate in shady business dealings or illegal activities. Success in not always earned.

[missionhome]

Do you think there is not element of cowboys in Orange County??? Well, think again! Rancho Mission Viejo is the private cattle ranch that gave way to the development of the cities of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and the neighborhoods of Ladera Ranch and Las Flores. The ranch still remains today keeping open space it is land east of Ladera Ranch and San Juan Capistrano off Ortega Highway.

Every year Rancho Mission Viejo holds a real RODEO at the Oaks in San Juan Capistrano. It is a really fun event!

[missionhome]

Obama and McCain came to Orange County to hold a forum on religion with mega church pastor Rick Warren, author of A Purpose Driven Life. It was held at his nondenominational Christian church, Saddleback, a mega church that sees over 22,000 people per week, making it the largest church in CA and the 4th largest in the USA.

Here are pics of the demonstrators on the streets surrounding Saddleback Church in the city of Lake Forest.

[a1016neo]

Here is a picture of an upscale Taco Bell in Aliso Viejo. It just opened about two weeks ago and it is SOOO NICE! It had a nice garden outside and a marble water fountain. Inside, the tables were made from granite and the floors are colorful and bright.

We're talking Taco Bell here!

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by a1016neo

Here is a picture of an upscale Taco Bell in Aliso Viejo. It just opened about two weeks ago and it is SOOO NICE! It had a nice garden outside and a marble water fountain. Inside, the tables were made from granite and the floors are colorful and bright.

We're talking Taco Bell here!

Is that in the Aliso Town Center? Near the Ralphs and Barnes and Nobles?
I remember they took the old one down and this must be what replaced it.

Looks really nice for a Taco Bell. You wouldn't be surprised if the took off the Taco Bell sign and put up "PF Changs" or "El Torito Grill" or something.