Best New Home Community

1. Rancho Mission Viejo

1 Salubre St., Rancho Mission Viejo; 949-768-1882; ranchomissionviejo.com

“We try to invest wellness in all of the different areas that we create,” says Stephanie Walker, marketing director at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Situated on a 23,000-acre working ranch, where much of the land is set aside for The Nature Reserve, Rancho Mission Viejo isn’t your typical new home community. It’s the kind of community where residents have access to a number of trails, an outdoor fitness center and three community farms that provide seasonal produce.

Rancho Mission Viejo is divided into three villages, Esencia, Sendero and the most recent addition, Rienda. Located near the Nature Reserve, Rienda is home of the Ranch Camp, which features a 20,000-square- foot lagoon-style pool, an open-air fitness center, The Nature House, which offers environmental education classes, and other communitycentered spaces.

There are also the Galiván neighborhoods designed for people ages 55 and older, which include exclusive hangouts like The Hacienda, which features a saltwater pool and spa, and the BBQ Barn with a fire pit and bocce ball courts.

With its mix of neighborhoods and amenities, Rancho Mission Viejo has developed as an intergenerational community that appeals to people with varied interests and needs.

“There’s really something for everyone here,” says Walker. “I think that’s what makes us so unique and stands apart from a lot of other masterplans in the area.”

MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER New homes are shown in Rienda, the newest village at Rancho Mission Viejo, which opened this past spring.

— Liz Ohanesian

2. Central Park West

855-241-3495; lennar.com

In Irvine, near UCI’s north campus, Lennar’s masterplan community Central Park West offers residents a sophisticated, yet family-friendly, living space.

Central Park is the primary community hub. This 2.2-acre space is where you’ll find the clubhouse, fitness room and recreation areas. At Rockefeller Park, you’ll find a pickleball court, a junior Olympicstyle swimming pool, plus a wading pool and spa, a barbecue area and a children’s playground.

Over at Delancy Park, you’ll find a basketball halfcourt in addition to a picnic area. Retail is proposed as a future addition, but, presently, the homes are close to a number of restaurants.

The Oaks at Portola Hills is for those looking for both luxury and privacy. A gated community overlooking Lake Forest and Trabuco Canyon, The Oaks offers prospective residents the opportunity to choose from a handful of floor plans, all of which feature spacious and elegant design, to be built on pool-sized lots.

There’s also a resort-style community pool club with a beach entry pool, cabanas, a spa and splash pad and a 5,300-square foot clubhouse with office spaces.

For nature lovers, the location is ideal too. You’re close to Limestone Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Aliso Creek and Santiago Canyon, as well as a number of trails in Lake Forest.

3. The Oaks at Portola Hills

1582 Sunset View Drive, Lake Forest; 949-791-6811 portolahills-homes.com