Tustin, CA

Columbus Tustin settled the town in the 1870s and started to establish the orchards the town would later become known for. As time passed, Tustin became a major agricultural hub for Northern California, thanks to the plentiful water. By the 1970s, huge expansion of Tustin led to the replacement of many orchards with modern commercial sites, starting the process that created the commercial Tustin that exists today.

You can still visit some of the historic Tustin buildings in Old Town, some of which date back to the 1880s. The Tustin Area Historical Society and Museum has tons of information on this transformation and holds yearly events celebrating important moments in the town's history. With a number of fairs and seasonal celebrations, Tustin celebrates its history year-round.

Thanks to the diversity of the residents in Tustin, you can find all kinds of cuisines featured here. For authentic Mexican served up in a casual atmosphere, head to El Camino Cafe. The friendly staff seem to remember everyone's names and happily suggest food to fit your cravings. If you have the chance, order El Camino Cafe's homemade horchata espresso for a flavor that will surpise and delight. The nearby Rasoi Curry Point serves up similarly spicy food in classic Indian dishes. If you can't decide, order the all-you-can-eat thali, which offers you a number of small plates to try whatever you like and has become a local lunch favorite.

With most restaurants clumped along Main and First Streets near Newport Avenue and within Old Town, Tustin encourages residents to walk around and frequent several establishments in one night. Nightlife may not seem particularly rowdy, but you can find plenty of low-key places with friendly environments. Residents have many dive bars to choose from, including Deva's and Booties, where you can buy a cheap drink and relax. One of the best of these is the Walnut Room. With billiard tables, video games, darts and cheap, cold beer readily available, you should have a great time relaxing here with friends. Don't let the lack of a crowd some nights fool you; the Walnut Room should earn your trust fast.

For a slightly more upscale evening, head to The Lost Vine and enjoy a wine tasting. Make sure to head there on a Thursday night to listen to live music as you sip. If you get there a little early, you can go ahead and buy the special happy hour appetizers for cheap.

Public transportation makes it easy to get around Tustin. Several major OCTA bus lines pass through the town, and the Tustin Metrolink train station hosts both the Orange County Line and the Inland Empire Line. With plenty of walkable streets, sidewalks and bike lanes, Tustin encourages residents to cycle and walk throughout town. Cyclists can feel generally safe on bikes, as residents try to be conscious of cyclists at all times.

If you prefer to drive, you can find plenty of free parking available throughout the town. Interstate 5 and Route 261 cross in Tustin, making it easy to get around Orange County from here. In a pinch you can call a taxi, although prepare to wait if you do not book it in advance. You can also order Uber rideshares.

With over 10 major parks in this relatively small town, Tustin maintains plenty of its historic greenery. Residents head to the huge Tustin Sports Park to play soccer, baseball, football, tennis and many other sports on the 13 fields here. You can head over to use any fields for free or join a community rec league to play regularly at any age and any ability level. There are also plenty of jogging trails for solo exercise and playgrounds for little ones.

To enjoy more natural beauty, head to the Citrus Ranch Park to wander through the lemon orchards with the family. You can even relax for an afternoon with the entire family at one of the public BBQ pits for a picnic, or simply play with the dog in open spaces. Cedar Grove Park hosts more useful exercise equipment, including outdoor weights and non-electric machines. You can even attend the many concerts and festivals held here throughout the year at the large outdoor amphitheater. No matter which park you choose to visit, you can find plenty to entertain yourself.

The cost of living in Tustin is 17 percent higher than the average in California and slightly higher than the Orange County average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs about $1,340 per month. An average beer costs $9 and gas prices tend to average about 10 percent higher than the national average.

The Enderle Center, the Tustin Market Place and the District at Tustin all house plenty of large anchor department stores from Costco to Target to TJMaxx surrounded by high-end boutiques and chain stores selling all kinds of goods. When you need vintage home items or one-of-a-kind art, Whimzy has the best selection in Orange County. After a little searching you can surely find something to spark your decorative creativity. With plenty of embellishments for crafts and art projects that can't be found anywhere else and even eclectic classes, Whimzy genuinely adds a touch of whimsy to Tustin.

If you love comics or anything related to them, you must stop by Comics Toons N’ Toys to check out their impressively extensive selection. No matter what you enter searching, you will come out with more. The staff happily will backorder any issues that you want or discuss suggestions for as long as you need. If you still have not reached an expert-level love of comics, check out the employee recommendations of the month to discover new hidden gems.

Most residents grocery shop at Ralphs Grocery, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, or one of the many other convenient shops nearby. For locally-sourced goodies and the freshest produce, head to the Tustin Certified Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings.