Exploring the Coto de Caza Neighborhood

Considered to be one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Orange County, Coto De Caza boasts some of the most expensive homes in the county. Characterized by large estates on expansive parcels of land frequently used for equestrian activities, the neighborhood consists of more than 50 different communities ranging from those offering entry-level homes to those characterized by luxury homes. Situated just east of Mission Viejo and south of Rancho Santa Margarita, the neighborhood offers a convenient location with many amenities. Boasting a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, the community also offers pleasant year-round weather for residents to enjoy.

Coto de Caza Amenities

Coto de Caza boasts a number of amenities for residents to enjoy. Among these are two 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr. –designed golf courses with two club houses. The Coto Valley Country Club is the Historic Club with a history rich in celebrity stories, while the Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club is the New Club. This club, which is situated next to ten tennis courts, is home to the facilities for both golf courses. The club also houses a full-service spa, a fitness center, a snack bar and the Michael Chang Tennis Hall of Fame and Member Lounge.

Coto de Caza is also home to the 24.1-acre Coto Equestrian Center, which was used for modern equestrian pentathlon events during the 1984 Olympics. The Center boards 160 horses and features 47 miles of riding trails along with training facilities with five arenas.

Residents of Coto de Caza also enjoy easy access to the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park, which surrounds the community on its eastern, southern and northern borders. A Wildlife and Plant Sanctuary, the park is known for its biological diversity and wildlife. Nearly 500 acres in size, the park features 6 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. It is also home to an educational center that offers outdoor education for local schools and community groups.

Coto de Caza Education

Most students who live in Coto de Caza attend school within the Capistrano Unified School District. Elementary-aged children typically attend either Wagon Wheel Elementary or Tijeras Creek Elementary, while middle school students attend Las Flores Middle School and high school students attend Tesoro High School.

Coto de Caza History

With a name that translates from Spanish to mean “hunting preserve,” Coto de Caza is a guard-gated private community with a population of nearly 15,000. Boasting about 4,000 homes, it is one of the oldest and most expensive master-planned communities in Orange County. The development of the community began in 1968 when it was originally envisioned as a hunting lodge. The final plans for the community were completed in 2003, with one of its most well-known communities being the 355-acre rural community of Los Ranchos Estates. Featuring 75 large custom homes, Los Ranchos Estates is a separate private community located behind the gates of Coto de Caza but having its own homeowner’s association.

While the average price for a home in the community was $375,000 in 1996, it shot up significantly to $840,000 in 2000. Today, the average price for a home in the community is well over a million dollars.