Ranchos of Orange County


The County of Orange was established in 1889 by founders William Spurgeon and James McFadden. The City of Santa Ana became the county seat the same year. Prior to its formation, the Orange County lands were part of Los Angeles County.
Further back in history, California lands were organized into Spanish land grants or "Ranchos". In the case of Orange County, there is record of José Antonio Yorba and Juan Pablo Peralta (nephew) being granted Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana in 1810, year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Independence. Santiago de Santa Ana is recorded as the only Orange County land grant given under Spanish Rule.
Other surrounding land grants in Orange County were granted and recorded after 1821, that is, after the war of Mexican Independence and by the Mexican government. Some modern day cities in Orange County retain the names of the Mexican land grants as agreed upon in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

List of Orange County Ranchos

GrantGrantedGrantorGranteeArea-
Rancho Los Nietos1784, 1833 partitioned into 5 ranchosSpanish Governor Pedro Fages, partition by Mexican Governor José FigueroaJosé Manuel NietoRanchos: Los Alamitos, Las Bolsas, Los Cerritos, Los Coyotes, Santa Gertrudes, Rancho Palo Alto-
Santiago de Santa Ana1810Spanish King Ferdinand VII-Governor José Joaquín de ArrillagaJosé Antonio YorbaSanta Ana, Costa Mesa, Orange, Tustin, El Modena, Olive-
Cañón de Santa Ana1834Mexican Governor José FigueroaBernardo YorbaYorba Linda, Yorba Hacienda-
Los Alamitos1834Mexican Governor José FigueroaAbel StearnsLos Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach-
Las Bolsas1834Mexican Governor José FigueroaMaria Catarina RuizHuntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove,-
Los Coyotes1834Mexican Governor José FigueroaJuan José NietoBuena Park, Stanton, Cerritos, La Mirada-
San Juan Cajón de Santa Ana1837Mexican Governor Juan AlvaradoJuan Pacífico OntiverosAnaheim, Fullerton, Placentia-
La Habra1839Mexican Governor Juan AlvaradoMariano Reyes RoldanLa Habra-
La Bolsa Chica1841Mexican Governor Juan AlvaradoJoaquín RuízBolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach-
San Joaquín1842Mexican Governor Juan Bautista AlvaradoJosé Antonio Andres SepúlvedaUpper Newport Bay, Newport Beach, Corona del mar, southern Irvine-
Niguel1842Mexican Governor Juan Bautista AlvaradoJuan ÁvilaLaguna Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Dana Point-
Cañada de Los AlisosMexican Governor Juan Bautista AlvaradoJose Antonio Fernando SerranoLake Forest, Irvine, Orange County Great Park, Jose Serrano Adobe, Orange County District 5.-
Misión Vieja1845Mexican Governor Pío PicoJohn (Don Juan) ForsterMission Viejo; San Juan Capistrano—'-
Boca de la Playa1846Mexican Governor Pío PicoEmigdio VejarSan Clemente; Dana Point and Capistrano Beach—'-
Lomas de Santiago1846Mexican Governor Pío PicoTeodosio YorbaNorthern Irvine, Silverado, Modjeska Canyon, Black Star Canyon-
Trabuco1846Mexican Governor Juan Bautista AlvaradoSantiago ArgüelloTrabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Trabuco Creek