Lake Forest

Enjoy an afternoon hike on the beautiful canyon trails in Lake Forest, California.
Lake Forest boasts homes both on a man-made lake and in a eucalyptus forest.
Splendid gardens greet you as you drive to your new Lake Forest home.
Find Mediterranean-style homes nestled in the hills of Lake Forest, California.
Take advantage of the Lake Forest neighborhood public transportation with OCTA bus stops.

Lake Forest, CA Area Guide

Live comfortably surrounded by nature and great eateries

Community Outdoors Park-Like Great Schools California

Lake Forest, set in Orange County, combines suburban living with natural surroundings. The city earned its name from two man-made lakes and eucalyptus groves planted in the early 1900s. The rental market reflects current trends, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $2,493 per month and two-bedroom units at $3,147. Residents enjoy access to the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club and Sun and Sail Club, which offer swimming pools, tennis courts, and community spaces.

The 86.2-acre Sports Park anchors the city's recreational offerings, complemented by Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park's hiking trails and natural terrain. The area features notable landmarks like Saddleback Church and Heritage Hill Historical Park, where visitors can explore the 1863 Jose Serrano Adobe and other preserved structures showcasing early California history. The etnies Skatepark, North America's largest public skating facility, adds to Lake Forest's recreational appeal. The city maintains a strong economic presence with corporate offices, including Oakley and Panasonic Avionics headquarters.

Explore the City

Splendid gardens greet you as you drive to your new Lake Forest home.

Find Mediterranean-style homes nestled in the hills of Lake Forest, California.

Take advantage of the Lake Forest neighborhood public transportation with OCTA bus stops.

Equestrians can bring their horses and ride the designated trails in Serrano Creek Park.

Brü Grill & Market is a favorite spot for locals in Lake Forest.

Enjoy the lake and the company of geese at Veterans Park in Lake Forest.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA is $2,375 for a studio, $2,517 for one bedroom, $3,083 for two bedrooms, and $3,902 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lake Forest has increased by 0.9% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,517/month
713 Sq Ft
House
$4,219/month
1,719 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,112/month
1,008 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Lake Forest, CA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Lake Forest, CA is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

55 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Minimal Transit

1 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Somewhat Bikeable

48 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

El Toro High

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
  • O'Neill Regional Park
  • Rancho Sonado
  • Starr Ranch Sanctuary
  • Riley Wilderness Park

Airports

  • John Wayne/Orange County
  • Ontario International

Top Apartments in Lake Forest

Houses for Rent in Lake Forest

Property Management Companies in Lake Forest, CA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.