Lake Forest

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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.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA is $2,334 for a studio, $2,480 for one bedroom, $3,177 for two bedrooms, and $3,851 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
$2,480/month
713 Sq Ft
House
$4,675/month
1,890 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,242/month
1,185 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Lake Forest, CA

Transportation

55

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

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.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

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

48

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

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

Rancho Cañada Elementary School

Public

Grades K-6

632 Students

Foothill Ranch Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

1,056 Students

Ralph A. Gates DLI Elementary School

Public

Grades K-6

940 Students

Lake Forest Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

679 Students

La Madera Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

606 Students

Serrano Intermediate

Public

Grades 7-8

977 Students

El Toro High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,031 Students

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

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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 November 2025.