Villa Park is a small city in north-central Orange County, California, and with about two square miles of land and fewer than six thousand residents it is the smallest city in the county. The community sits between the city of Orange to the west and the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains to the east, a setting that gives it an unusually open, low-density feel for a location so close to the center of the county. The area's identity was built on citrus. Through the early twentieth century, Villa Park was largely covered in Valencia orange groves, and its early landmarks included a 38-acre ranch purchased by brewer Adolphus Busch in 1909. As Orange County suburbanized after World War II, Villa Park deliberately held onto its semi-rural character, incorporating as a city with a preference for large lots, minimal commercial development, and preserved open space rather than dense tracts. Today that character remains the city's defining feature. Homes sit on estate-sized parcels along tree-lined streets, many with space for horses, gardens, and other rural amenities, and the city has worked to preserve equestrian trails and open space. Santiago Oaks Regional Park and Irvine Regional Park frame the city's eastern edge, bringing hiking, riding, and the Orange County Zoo within minutes. The low crime rate and quiet streets make Villa Park a sought-after setting for families, while its central location puts Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana within an easy drive. For buyers who want an estate-style setting with convenient access to Orange County employment, Villa Park is a distinctive and enduring enclave.