Top 5 Walkable Neighborhoods in Orange County, CA (2024)
Orange County, CA is not the first place you might think of when you think of walkability. It’s a very car-dependent region, and that’s by design.
However, as more people move to OC, interest in walkable neighborhoods is higher than ever.
There are all sorts of benefits associated with living in walkable areas from better cardiovascular health to less pollution.
Walkability refers to how easy it is for residents of a community to access amenities such as stores, parks, etc.
We’ve listed some cities in OC that we consider walkable based on the following factors:
Proximity to a major grocery store
Proximity to a downtown area
Proximity to a major freeway
Infrastructure that supports pedestrians (trails, sidewalks, etc.)
You’ll notice that many of the cities we’ve listed have prominent downtown areas. Those areas were developed before the idea of master-planned communities took off.
Santa Ana, CA
Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) is a foodie’s dream.
There is a large Latino community in Santa Ana, so you won’t have to search far for great food, especially Mexican.
DTSA has a mix of critically acclaimed restaurants, mom and pop shops, plus a food hall.
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Anaheim, CA
Anaheim’s downtown area includes the Packing District, home of the Anaheim Packing House. Both locals and tourists converge on this area to try a variety of different restaurants and watering holes.
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Fullerton, CA
Thanks to its lively bar scene, downtown Fullerton is flooded with college students on weekend nights.
However, there’s also a lot to do for non-college-aged folks. In Downtown Fullerton, you can find places like vintage stores, hair salons, and fitness studios.
Orange, CA
The Orange Circle or Old Town Orange is a charming historic area in downtown Orange, right next to Chapman University. It’s best known for its large concentration of antique shops.
Downtown Orange is surrounded by a residential area with many craftsman-style homes, making this a very walkable location.
Are master-planned communities like Irvine walkable?
Communities in South Orange County are much newer and designed to be car-dependent. However, there are some pockets within those communities that are still technically considered walkable because they are next to a grocery store.
