A Slice of Orange

Introducing the OC City

Spotlight Series

How well do you know Orange County?

Sure, we know our cities. We know their neighborhoods, General Plans, quirks, development history, and probably more about their zoning codes than we’d like to admit.

But what about the city next door? Or the one on the other side of the county?

Confession: Until recently, I didn’t realize La Palma was in Orange County. I thought it was in LA County. And I’m guessing I’m not the only OC planner who has discovered there’s still plenty to learn about our own backyard.

So, we’re going to do something about it.

Beginning next month, we’re launching A Slice of Orange, a new monthly series celebrating the 34 cities that make up Orange County.

Each month, we’ll take you somewhere new… or at least somewhere you think you know. We’ll explore local history, surprising facts, planning milestones, current projects, and the people and places that give each city its identity.

Rather than choosing cities at random, we’re starting at the beginning.

Here’s something to think about: Some of our cities are older than Orange County itself.

Orange County wasn’t established until 1889. Before then, the communities we know today were part of Los Angeles County. By the time Orange County was created, cities were already incorporating, railroads were arriving, agriculture was transforming the landscape, and a friendly (or perhaps not-so-friendly) rivalry was brewing over which community would become the county seat.

Spoiler: The oldest city didn’t get the job. (We’ll save that story for another Slice.)

We’ll travel through Orange County roughly in

incorporation order, watching more than a century of planning and development unfold.