Rancho San Joaquin - Irvine, CA

The original Rancho San Joaquin was a 48,000-acre land grant during the time of the great California ranchos of the 1800s. After the statewide drought of 1864, the rancho passed into the hands of James Irvine and became the Irvine Ranch. As the city of Irvine was created out of farms and ranchland in the 1960s, its master plan included a great deal of open recreational space, and the Rancho San Joaquin public golf course was named to honor the region's history, with the residential neighborhood growing up around it.

The Irvine Historical Society makes its home in Rancho San Joaquin, with tours of some of the original buildings of the Irvine Ranch available. Much of the neighborhood's arts scene centers on the nearby University of California, Irvine, whose Irvine Barclay Theater hosts musicals, concerts, ballet and opera, and the UCI Free Film Series showing conversation-provoking movies each summer.

Most of the Rancho San Joaquin neighborhood is covered by the golf course, so you'll have to journey outside the immediate area to find places to eat. Plenty of great dining choices stretch out along Jamboree Road, with others scattered throughout Irvine, most of them featuring American and Asian cuisines.

Stop in at Moulin for a casual bistro that transports you to the streets of Paris. With delightful outdoor seating and perfectly flaky croissants, you'll find yourself lingering over your coffee. Pick up a croque madame for breakfast, or try the specialty croque Moulin, with roasted chicken replacing the traditional ham. French toast with orange butter, Nutella crepes and chocolate eclairs all win raves from the locals.

Fish lovers in Rancho San Joaquin are delighted to have the California Fish Grill nearby for a healthy, quick alternative to heavier meals at a fraction of the prices usually seen at seafood restaurants. Pick up grilled swai, tilapia, salmon or tuna, or treat yourself to some fish tacos. You'll walk away feeling healthy – with change in your pocket.

Make Houston's your local go-to when you want an amazing steak or burger or feel like luxuriating over classic cocktails. Start with the spinach dip, the kale salad or the smoked salmon appetizer. The fried grouper sandwich or the Thai steak and noodle salad make perfect casual lunch entrées, or go for the precisely cooked filet mignon or the luscious Hawaiian ribeye steak. You'll enjoy the simplicity of great ingredients perfectly cooked in a seductively beautiful dining room.

Locals in Rancho San Joaquin head a bit out of the neighborhood for their nightlife as well. The Red Bar & Lounge serves up high-end craft cocktails in a cool lounge atmosphere with a glowing red bar. Drop by Eureka on Thursday nights to enjoy live music, innovative cocktails and amazing burgers.

The city of Irvine makes it possible for residents to forgo their cars if they prefer with a wide array of public transportation and bike lanes available. Hop an Orange County Transportation Authority bus right from your neighborhood to get to Tustin, Newport Beach, UC Irvine or other Irvine destinations. The Irvine iShuttle also connects people all over the city to the Irvine Spectrum Center, the Tustin Metrolink terminal and John Wayne International Airport. If you want a more personalized ride, use Uber, a taxi service or an airport shuttle for door-to-door service.

On-street and off-road bike paths criss-cross throughout all of Irvine, connecting you to every part of the city for work or pleasure. In addition, many Rancho San Joaquin residents enjoy walking for exercise.

If you choose to drive, the San Diego Freeway is minutes away, with the Route 73 Toll Road just to the south. Free public parking abounds in Irvine, and businesses typically provide plenty of free parking as well.

Residents of Rancho San Joaquin find themselves surrounded with natural beauty, recreation opportunities and actual wilderness in the midst of the city.

The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary may be just down the road from a major international airport, but you'll find it a sanctuary for your own peace of mind as you stroll the dirt trails connecting the 11 lakes and ponds with your eyes open for bunnies, egrets and lizards. A birdwatcher's paradise, the Wildlife Sanctuary understandably doesn't allow bikes or dogs on its trails.

Just to the south of Rancho San Joaquin sits William R. Mason Regional Park, 95 acres of scenic beauty and recreation that charges a small fee for parking. Have a picnic by the 9-acre lake, go for a run with your dog, or watch your kids playing on one of the many playgrounds. The park features beach volleyball courts, outdoor exercise equipment, a baseball diamond and an amphitheater where outdoor movies are screened each summer.

The Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course sits at the center of the community, providing a focal point not just for golfers but community buildings available for weddings, parties and other events. The public golf course charges low greens fees, making its professionally designed fairways available to everyone.

Perhaps because of the majority of apartments rather than single-family homes, the cost of living in Rancho San Joaquin runs 10 percent lower than that of Irvine as a whole. The rent for one-bedroom apartments averages out at $1705 per month. You can hop on an OCTA bus for $2 or take the Irvine iShuttle for only $1, and the cost of gas runs about 14 percent higher than the national average. If you want to grab a beer while you stop in at a sports lounge to watch the game, expect to pay $6 to $8 for a pint.

Irvine residents don't lack for shopping opportunities ranging from the very practical to the high-end. With the Irvine Spectrum just to the south and South Coast Plaza just up the freeway to the north, Rancho San Joaquin locals find themselves surrounded with shopping, dining and entertainment options. A little closer to home, some specialty shops also help provide the basics and luxuries of life.

At Jewels by Alan, you'll find custom-made jewelry and a helpful staff that help you create exactly what you want. Bring in loose or heirloom stones to have a custom ring or necklace designed just the way you want it.

Love & Whiskey on Michelson Boulevard sells trendy clothing for women and men at reasonable prices. Drop in to check out the work of local designers, and pick up some cool accessories for your home at the same time.

Rancho San Joaquin residents head to Ralphs for basic groceries and to Mother's Market for organic foods, juices and smoothies, and an amazing all-natural deli. If you're cooking something a bit more exotic, Wholesome Choice Market on Culver Boulevard features a wide range of Persian, Middle-Eastern, Thai and Indian delicacies, including sangak bread made hot and fresh while you wait. The weekly Irvine Farmers Market and Irvine Square Farmers Market are both within easy driving distance as well for farm-fresh produce.