LAKE FOREST
FEATURED COMMUNITY
ABOUT ​LAKE FOREST
Lake Forest is home to a number of outdoor sites offering diversions of both a recreational and cultural nature. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park offers around 1,500 acres of woodlands usable for mountain biking, hiking and many other forms of outdoor recreation. The Aliso Creek Trail follows a scenic fifteen-plus mile course from Lake Forest to its neighboring city of Laguna Niguel. Serrano Creek Community Park, originally created as an equestrian park for horses owned by local residents, is now an ideal place for hiking, biking or picnicking. At the southern end of this park is Heritage Hill Historical Park, whose historic buildings reflect a cross-section of Saddleback Valley history. Visitors to Lake Forest also have the luxury of meandering to other places in Orange County, where a wealth of world class attractions can be found only minutes away.
EXPLORE LAKE FOREST
Mission Lake Forest, California offers a variety of things to do for both visitors and locals alike, ranging from outdoor recreational activities and historic buildings to wineries and delicious restaurants. For history enthusiasts, some of the history of Lake Forest and the surrounding area can be found at places like the Heritage Hill Historic Park and the Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.
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Heritage Hill Historic Park - encompasses a little over four acres and consists of four furnished and fully restored historic buildings. These buildings span across the history of the early El Toro area and Saddleback Valley, from the era of the Mexican Rancho to the town of El Toro being founded and up through the days of citrus farming in the beginning of the twentieth century. Guided tours are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to offer visitors with more in depth information. These tours provide an interpretation of the history of the Saddleback area through people, events, and artifacts.
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The Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens - tucked away within an oak grove along the banks of the Santiago Creek in the Modjeska Canyon. The historic house is more than one hundred years old and was once the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, a world-renowned actress. It is named after a forest in “As You Like It.” Tours are available by advance reservation at 10:00am on Wednesday and Saturday. The docent-led tours last around one hour and thirty minutes in duration. Visitors can do a self-guided tour of the historic house and gardens.
FEAST IN LAKE FOREST
Situated in Southern Orange County, Lake Forest is home to 82,000 people and is known for its quiet suburban pleasantness. And with so much great dining options in the area, it can be an overwhelming process of choosing a good place to eat. But have no fear! I’ve hand-picked twelve of the best places in town to grab a bite to eat.
Siam Central Thai Kitchen - If you are looking for authentic Thai flavors, look no further than Siam Central. This is not one of those cookie-cutter westernized Thai restaurants that serve dumb-down Pad Thai. It’s a restaurant that you could place in Hollywood’s Thai Town and it would rival some of the best restaurants around there. The menu is comprehensive with all your favorite classics, Tom Yum soup, papaya salad, pad Thai, curries, fried rice, and more. Just know that anything you order will be super flavorful.
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Pho Akaushi - made a name for itself in Garden Grove with its premium broth which is made from American wagyu beef that is simmered for over 12 hours. With it a success, the owners spawned a new location in Lake Forest, which has been met with stellar reviews by residents of the city.
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Hole In The Wall Burger - Any foodie knows that often times you can find the best tasting food at a restaurant that is a hole in the wall. Hole In The Wall Burger is no exception. They are crafting the best burger in town and anyone who’s ever been here can back up that statement.