Yorba Linda ("Beautiful Yorba", in English) is an affluent suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Downtown Santa Ana and 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. Yorba Linda has been identified as one of the richest cities in the U.S. by the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows a median household income of $121,075, higher than any other city in 2006.

As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 65,237. Its most famous resident was Richard Nixon, who was born there; however, his father moved the family away before Yorba Linda incorporated. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda.

In 2005, CNN ranked Yorba Linda 21st among the best places in the U.S. to live. In 2008, Yorba Linda ended up 42nd on Money magazine's list of America's best small cities. Similarly, in an article by CNN Money, Yorba Linda was one of the richest U.S. cities and the richest in Orange County as reported by the Census data, showing a median household income of more than $120K: "Among towns of between 65,000 and 250,000 in population, Yorba Linda, California, where six-figure incomes are the rule, had the highest median income at $121,075".

History

Pre-colonization

This area was the home of the Luise%uFFFDo, Tongva, and Juaneo Indians at one time.

Early years

In 1834, Jose Antonio Yorba's most successful son, Bernardo Yorba (after whom the city would later be named), was granted the 13,328-acre (53.94 km²) Rancho Ca de Santa Ana by Mexican governor Jose Figueroa. Most of this original land was retained after the Mexican American war in 1848 by descendants of the Yorba family. A portion of the city's land is still owned and developed by descendants of Samuel Kraemer, who acquired it through his marriage to Angelina Yorba, the great-granddaughter of Bernardo Yorba. The site of the Bernardo Yorba Hacienda, referred to as the Don Bernardo Yorba Ranch House Site, is listed as a California Historical Landmark.

Near that same site sits the second oldest private cemetery in the county, the historic Yorba Cemetery. The land was given to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Bernardo^[ in 1858 since Orange County was not established out of Los Angeles County as a separate county until 1889.The cemetery closed in 1939 and was subsequently vandalized; however, in the 1960s, the Orange County Board of Supervisors took possession of the property to repair the damage, and tours are now available one day per month.

Agricultural era

Yorba Linda School, built 1913. Photo circa 1918.

A section of the land was sold in 1907 to the Janss Investment Company, which first called the area Yorba Linda, and proceeded to subdivide the land and sell it for agriculture and manufacturing. In 1910, the agricultural aspect of that endeavor materialized, and the first of many lemon and orange groves were planted: at the time, the population was still less than 50. A year later, The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company began serving Yorba Linda, and the first school was constructed.

In 1912, several things happened in Yorba Linda: it received its first post office; the Yorba Linda Citrus Association was founded; the Southern California Edison Company began providing electricity; and the first church was constructed. The area that would later become downtown was also connected to Los Angeles by the Pacific Electric Railway in 1912, primarily for citrus transport.

The Birthplace of Richard Nixon

In 1913, Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, the chamber of commerce was set up, a library opened as part of the school, and avocado trees were first planted. A year later a separate district was established for the library system.

In 1915, the Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch house was constructed.It is now a museum and can be toured by the public.

In 1917, the Yorba Linda Star began publication. It has since become an online section of the OC Register. However, a printed version of just the Star still exists and is available at various city buildings free of charge and is delivered to every household in Yorba Linda each Thursday. Moreover, its past articles are available for viewing on microfilm at the Yorba Linda Public Library. In that same year, the first street was paved, Yorba Linda Boulevard.

The population exceeded 300 for the first time prior to 1920. In 1929, the citrus association's packing house burned down, as it was made of wood. It reopened the next year.

Population growth

The packing house located on Yorba Linda Blvd in 1961. Soon after this was taken, Yorba Linda would transform from a rural community to a suburban one.

The small town had grown significantly by the 1960s, with more than 1,000 residents by the 1960 Census, and survived or fought off three annexation considerations or attempts: one by Brea in 1958 and one each by Anaheim and Placentia in 1963, These experiences culminated in incorporation, which occurred in 1967.

The new city drew up and implemented its municipal general plan in 1972. By the 1980 Census, the population was nearing 30,000. Within ten years it exceeded 50,000.

In 1990, the Birthplace of Richard Nixon opened as a public library and museum. It would later become a federal presidential library.^[20] In 1994, the community center opened.

Recent times

In 2007, Yorba Linda High School broke ground after many years of planning.

In November 2008, eastern Yorba Linda suffered from fires that destroyed 113 homes and damaged 50 others. The destruction was due largely to erratic winds causing embers to fly up to half a mile away.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km²). 19.5 square miles (51 km²) of which is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) (2.67%), water.

It has two ZIP codes, 92886 and 92887, approximately the western and eastern portions of the city, respectively. A third, 92885, also exists, exclusively for PO Boxes The city is served by area codes 657 and 714 in a geographical overlay situation, in which 714 numbers were running out, so that 657 numbers are now also being issued in the same area. Eleven-digit dialing is therefore now required for local calls.

It is bordered by Anaheim on the south, Placentia on the west and southwest, Brea on the northwest, Chino Hills State Park on the north, and Corona on the east.

The two nearest seismic faults are the Whittier Fault and the Chino Fault, both of which are part of the Elsinore Fault Zone.

Climate

The city receives 14 to 15 inches of rain per year on average. The average temperatures in January and July are 55 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, with the overall average for the year at 63.^[23] Humidity, likewise respectively, is 52%, 60%, and 56% on average.^[23]

 Economy

The original sign, since replaced with one of a different style.

The primary commercial district in Yorba Linda is Savi Ranch.

Smaller shopping centers in the city include:

• Eastlake Village Shopping Center
• Mercado del Rio
• Packing House Square
• Yorba Linda Station Plaza
• Country Club Village

There are over 1,000 businesses in the city, not including an additional 1,500 operating out of residential homes. The city also owns Black Gold Golf Club. Nonprofits based in Yorba Linda include International Student Volunteers.

Savi Ranch

Savi Ranch today contains retailers, auto dealers, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings.

Originally, the city pursued construction of an auto mall on the entire Savi Ranch site. Although multiple car lots do presently exist, the original plan was rejected by residents, in favor of a combination of retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings. Moreover, as of 2010, two of the three car dealer locations sit empty, one of which only sold used cars.

As a significant source of sales tax revenue to Yorba Linda and as one of the first anchor tenants (along with Best Buy), The Home Depot became a political talking point in its own right.

This is due to the fact that Savi Ranch is divided into two sections, east and west. Savi Ranch East is the Yorba Linda side, which is larger, while Savi Ranch West lies within the adjacent City of Anaheim. At the inception of Savi Ranch, the Home Depot was located in Savi Ranch East. In the early 2000s, however, the Super Kmart location in Savi Ranch West went out of business, and The Home Depot moved into that location and in the process took the sales tax across the city boundary.

Also located in the Yorba Linda side of Savi Ranch is the headquarters of John Force Racing, which house 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, his team of drivers, and their cars. An on-site museum is dedicated to Force's career.

Top employers

According to the City's 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Education

Yorba Linda is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. This district is home to nearly 28,000 students.

Sign and building as seen from the entrance

St. Francis of Assisi School serves as the only Catholic school in the city. Many parents seeking a private school education for their children send their PS-8th graders to Heritage Oak Private School and high schoolers to nearby Lutheran High School of Orange County in the city of Orange, Servite High School (boys) or Rosary High School (girls) in Anaheim, or Mater Dei High School (co-ed) in Santa Ana.

Yorba Linda High School opened its doors in 2009. The first full graduating class from YLHS was the class of 2012. As of 2015, one private high school, Friends Christian High School, is currently under construction. Historically, a majority of Yorba Linda students also attend Esperanzain Anaheim, Troy High School in nearby Fullerton, or El Dorado in Placentia.

Yorba Linda also has a few Montessori preschools:

• Arborland Montessori Children's Academy
• IvyCrest Montessori Private School
• Pine Tree Preschool
• Yorba Linda Montessori