Placentia

A desirable climate and rich land – crops include citrus trees, walnuts, avocados and grapes -- provide beautiful scenery for locals and visitors alike to admire.

With a name derived from the Latin word “Piacenza,” meaning “a pleasant place to live,” Placentia truly represents the simple lifestyle and small-town family atmosphere best portrayed in classic American literature. Boasting beautiful suburban homes, good schools, stately churches and wholesome recreation, it’s a lovely place for all to live.

Placentia is abundant with attractions for all ages. The Bradford House, listed on National and Orange County Registers of Historic Places, is an elegant turn-of-the-century home furnished in typical 1900-1920’s style, with public tours offered several times a month. Foodies from all over Orange County venture to the Placentia-Santa Fe District (also known as Old Towne Placentia) to satisfy their palate at some of the best Mexican restaurants around. For those who love to embrace the autumn season, each October the city hosts its annual Heritage Festival -- a parade, followed by a festival featuring live music and entertainers, games, food, and local business opportunities truly has something for everyone. The festival is accompanied by a car show featuring over 200 antique, custom and hot rod classic cars on display, making it one of the largest car shows in the area.

With so many families inherently focused on education to promote a bright future for their young ones, the Placentia–Yorba Linda Unified School District takes pride in its many achievements. Providing a quality education and positive academic environment for children of all ages, the district includes two high schools, three middle schools and numerous elementary schools, many of which have won national and state awards. Valencia High School is an approved member of the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, which offers students the opportunity to earn college credits. And El Dorado High School’s music program is world-renowned -- the El Dorado Marching Band performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2005 and 2010 Tournament of Roses Parades, as well as for President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush.

The Placentia City Council’s mission statement emphasizes its commitment to keeping the city a pleasant place by providing a safe family atmosphere, superior public services and policies that promote the highest standards of community life. The emphasis on public safety seems to be proven in numbers; crime rates in Placentia have steadily decreased, averaging less than half the U.S. city average during the last 5 years.