Especially when surrounded by all of the wonderful communities of Orange County, being ranked as one of the best places to live in the country is no small accomplishment! Mission Viejo is a wonderfully welcoming master-planned community with exceptionally low crime-rates, incredible schools, and an impressive Olympic history.

Impressive stats aren’t all Mission Viejo has to offer, though! Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a plethora of activities in this beautiful community. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Mission Viejo.

Visit a park or lake

Mission Viejo has no shortage of fun and picture-perfect places to spend a day appreciating everything Mother Nature has to offer. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park, for example, is a great spot to enjoy the twilit paths at sunset, as well as the lovely butterfly garden and the animals that come out to say hi during less busy hours. O’Neill Regional Park is another great park to visit, and a favorite among hikers, birdwatchers, fishers, and nature lovers alike!

If sunrays breaking over a beautiful body of water is more your speed, Lake Mission Viejo might be the perfect spot for you. This is one of the most popular spots in the city for outdoor recreation, and it doubles as a pretty big concert venue, especially during the summer concert series. Besides, in the beautiful Orange County weather, who doesn’t love a lake day?

Find a bite to eat

What’s an impressive community without great food? Luckily, Mission Viejo delivers. Whether you’re looking for something upscale or just a great slice of pie, there’s something special for everybody.

Visit Shish Taouk for some fresh and authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Ironwood is the local favorite for an upscale option offering delicious charcuterie boards and mouth watering dishes like the Crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with Maitake Mushrooms. Finally, for that essential slice of pizza, Domenico’s is the place to be.

Grab a drink

What’s better than kicking back and enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Mission Viejo? Kicking back and enjoying a view with a drink in your hand! You’ll find A Hidden Vine on the Lake right on the shore of Lake Mission Viejo, and it’s a great place to enjoy a wonderful glass of wine while taking in the beautiful lake scene.

If a pub is usually what calls your name, GameCraft Brewing is a fun and unique mashup of craft beer, delicious bar food, and a love for gaming—both virtual and tabletop! With multiple awards and medals to show off from beer festivals, the brews are definitely worth a visit.

These are some of our favorite ways to have fun while in Mission Viejo, but there are certainly plenty of things we didn’t mention. Did we miss your favorite Mission Viejo pastime? Reach out and let us know!