Laguna Woods

History

The Acjachemen and the Tongva were the original inhabitants of this area and throughout Orange County. The Acjachemen were the main residents dating back 16,000 years while the Tongva had fewer villages in the area. Laguna Woods, California occupies approximately three-square miles of land that was once a part of South Orange County's expansive Moulton Ranch. Prior to the 1960s, dry farming and cattle grazing dominated the area, with a few scattered ranch dwellings and barns. In 1962, Ross Cortese, a young developer whose previous projects included Rossmoor and Leisure World Seal Beach, purchased a portion of the Moulton Ranch. His goal was to create a second Leisure World community or, as he said, “to supply the basic needs of life for people aged 52 and older; create a serene atmosphere of beauty; and provide security, recreation, and religious facilities – then leave the living to the individual.” In 1964 Leisure World Laguna Hills received its first residents. The prospect of incorporation first arose in 1971 and was a lingering issue until 1996, when the potential for a reduction in county services and the possibility of a commercial airport at the nearby site of the former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, became very real concerns. Proponents of cityhood were successful in placing the issue of incorporation on the ballot for a special election on March 2, 1999. On March 24, 1999, Laguna Woods officially became Orange County's 32nd city. On May 15, 2022, a shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. One person was killed and five others were injured. The attack is believed to have been motivated by anti-Taiwanese sentiment.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , which is virtually all land. It is bordered by Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, as well as the Laguna Coast State Park and other natural open spaces.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  78,462
• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  75,894
• Black Phoebe

  Sayornis nigricans (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  64,690
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  58,140
• Allen's Hummingbird

  Selasphorus sasin (R.Lesson, 1829) · Aves
  53,218
• Lesser Goldfinch

  Spinus psaltria (Say, 1822) · Aves
  52,513
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  51,658
• Anna's Hummingbird

  Calypte anna (R.Lesson, 1829) · Aves
  50,306

Most recent

• M 2.63 — 2026-09-23
  9 km WNW of Anza, CA
• M 2.94 — 2026-09-17
  4 km SSE of Compton, CA
• M 2.56 — 2026-09-13
  27 km SSE of Malibu, CA
• M 2.65 — 2026-09-12
  4 km E of Lennox, CA
• M 3.31 — 2026-09-12
  26 km ESE of Avalon, CA
• M 2.95 — 2026-09-12
  26 km ESE of Avalon, CA