Highview Cir, San Juan Capistrano

When we first began looking for a home in Ladera Ranch, we looked at a few homes on Gardenia Street in the Tarramor Village. The floor plans were spacious and the designs were beautiful and very eclectic. It was tempting to buy in this neighborhood because it juts up against the hills giving it a sense of privacy in the surrounding natural beauty. Each time we visited Gardenia Street, there seemed to be something going on – a street party, a family softball game, or bunches of kids gathered at one or more homes.

This vision of Americana is repeated throughout the community and the 9 villages. There seems to be a small neighborhood park tucked away in every nook and cranny and the whole community is treated to the small town trappings of a Town Green where they can enjoy movie nights and concerts. Each village has an identity of its own crowned by its own separate community pool and clubhouse.

Gardenia Street is ideally located for its proximity to the natural surroundings (full of wild life by the way) and to some of the kid attractions like the water park and the skate park. I’ve often biked the trail that runs through the hills above Gardenia Street and taken it all of the way to San Juan Capistrano. Oso Elementary school is a safe walking distance.

For an evening out, there are a few choices worth hiring a babysitter for – The Beachfire Grill, Infusion, and Picante (great for Spanish tapas) – and the beach is a straight 20 minute shot down Crown Valley Expressway.