Yorba Linda (Spanish for "Beautiful Yorba") is a suburban city in Orange County, California, approximately 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. The suburb's most famous resident was Richard Nixon. His birthplace is a National Historic Landmark, at his presidential library and museum located there. Yorba Linda is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area according to the US Census. As of the 2010 census, its population was 64,234.

This area is the home of the Tongva, Luiseño, and Juaneño tribal nations, who were here "as early as 4,000 years ago."^[7] The Tongva defined their world as Tovaangar, a nation which "extended from Palos Verdes to San Bernardino, from Saddleback Mountain to the San Fernando Valley" and included the entire territory of present-day Yorba Linda. Spanish colonization between 1769 and 1840 brought "disease, invasive species, and livestock" into the area, which "upended the ecological balance of the region and forced the Tongva to resettle around three missions."^[8]

In 1810, the Spanish crown granted Jose Antonio Yorba 63,414 acres of land, which "spread across much of modern-day Orange County." In 1834, following Mexico's independence from Spain, 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 Cañón de Santa Ana by Mexican governor José 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.^[9]

Near that same site sits the second oldest private cemetery in the county, the historic Yorba Cemetery.^[10] The land was given to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Bernardo Yorba^[10] in 1858^[11] since Orange County was not established out of Los Angeles County as a separate county until 1889.^[12] 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.^[10]

A section of the land was sold in 1907 by the Yorba family to Fullerton businessman Jacob Stern, who used the land for barley fields and sheep grazing. Stern subsequently sold the tract to the Janss Investment Company, which first called the area Yorba Linda,^[13] 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.^[11] A year later, The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company began serving Yorba Linda, and the first school was constructed.^[11]

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.^[11] The area that would later become downtown was also connected to Los Angeles by the Pacific Electric Railway in 1912, primarily for citrus transport.^[13]

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.^[11] A year later, a separate district was established for the library system.^[11]

In 1915, the Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch house was constructed.^[11] It is a museum that is open to the public.^[14]

In 1917, the first street was paved, Yorba Linda Boulevard.^[11] The Yorba Linda Star began publication also.^[15] It has since become an online section of the OC Register.^[16] A printed version of the Star is available at various city buildings free of charge and is delivered to every household in Yorba Linda each Thursday. Past articles are on microfilm at the Yorba Linda Public Library.^[15]

The population exceeded 300 for the first time prior to 1920.^[11] In 1929, the citrus association's packing house burned down, as it was made of wood.^[11] It reopened the next year.^[11] During this period, the eastern two-thirds of Yorba Linda (east of the Yorba Linda Country Club) remained part of cattle and agricultural ranches controlled by pioneer families such as the Yorba, de los Reyes, Kraemer, Travis, Dominguez, Friend, and Bryant ranches.

From 1943 to 1958, "approximately seventy thousand braceros were transported to Orange County," used by employers to service citrus crops. Braceros lived in temporary housing projects referred to as "camps," which were policed by local deputies throughout the county.^[17] The townspeople of Yorba Linda "refused to allow the housing of braceros in their city, forcing the nearby town of Placentia to board them within the segregated Mexican colonic."^[18]

The small town had grown significantly by the 1960s, with more than 1,000 residents by the 1960 Census. Three annexation attempts were made by adjoining cities: Brea in 1958 and Anaheim and Placentia in 1963.^[11] These experiences culminated in incorporation, which occurred in 1967.^[13]

The new city implemented a municipal general plan in 1972.^[11] By the 1980 Census, the population was nearing 30,000.^[11] Within ten years it exceeded 50,000.^[11]

In 1990, the Birthplace of Richard Nixon opened as a public library and museum.^[11] It would later become a federal presidential library.^[19] In 1994, the community center opened.^[11]

With over 20,000 housing units in the city as of 2016,^[20] many residents now oppose further urban development and have organized to reduce traffic congestion.^[21] The Yorba Linda Preservation Foundation ^[113] seeks to protect historical buildings in the city.

In 2005, CNN ranked Yorba Linda 21st among the best places in the U.S. to live.^[22] In 2012, Yorba Linda was ranked 42nd on Money magazine's list of America's best small cities.^[23] 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".^[24][25] 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.^[24][26][25]

In 2007, Yorba Linda High School broke ground after many years of planning.^[11]

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.

On February 3, 2019 at approximately 1:45 pm, a twin engine 1981 Cessna (N414RS) on route from Fullerton Municipal Airport to Nevada crashed from roughly 7500 ft into a single family residence in the 19700 block of Crestknoll Drive near Glenknoll Elementary School. The pilot (75-year-old Antonio Pastini) and four individuals in the residence were killed. Glenknoll Elementary School served as a command center the following day.

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, covering approximately the western and eastern portions of the city, respectively. A third, 92885, exists exclusively for PO Boxes.^[27] 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.^[28]

The city receives 14 to 15 inches of rain per year on average.^[29] The average temperatures in January and July are 55 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, with the overall average for the year at 63.^[29] Humidity, likewise respectively, is 52%, 60%, and 56% on average.^[29]

The 2010 United States Census^[32] reported that Yorba Linda had a population of 65,237.

The population density was 3,208.8 people per square mile (1,238.9/km²).

The racial makeup of Yorba Linda was:

The Census reported that 64,044 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 97 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 93 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 21,576 households, out of which 8,535 (39.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15,102 (70.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,844 (8.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 758 (3.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 554 (2.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 101 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,119 households (14.5%) were made up of individuals and 1,515 (7.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97. There were 17,704 families (82.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.29.

The population was spread out with 15,792 people (24.6%) under the age of 18, 5,574 people (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 13,848 people (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 21,414 people (33.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 7,606 people (11.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

There were 22,305 housing units at an average density of 1,114.2 per square mile (430.2/km²), of which 18,108 (83.9%) were owner-occupied, and 3,468 (16.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%. 54,464 people (84.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,580 people (14.9%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–2013, Yorba Linda had a median household income of $112,259, with 3.1% of the population living below the federal poverty line.^[33]

As of the 2000 Census,^[34] there were 58,918 people, 19,252 households, and 16,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,042.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,174.4/km²). There were 19,567 housing units at an average density of 1,010.4 per square mile (390.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 1.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 11.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.3% of the population.^[35]

There were 19,252 households out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city, the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median household income in the city was $109,681, and the median income for a family was $122,373.^[36] Males had a median income of $66,712 versus $41,820 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,173. 0% of the population were below the poverty line.

Yorba Linda has several major highways and roads that are important through the city. Imperial Highway (SR 90), Bastanchury Road, Esparanza Road, La Palma Avenue, and Yorba Linda Boulevard are west-east streets. North-south streets include Rose Drive, Fairmont Boulevard, Lakeview Avenue, Gypsum Canyon Road, Kellogg Drive, Van Buren Street, Richfield Road, and Village Center Drive. SR 241 has its northern terminus at the southern tip of the city and SR 91 runs through the eastern tip of the city.

A Metrolink commuter rail station was rejected by its city council in 2004.^[37]

The primary commercial district in Yorba Linda is Savi Ranch.^[38]

Smaller shopping centers in the city include:

In 2016, construction began on the Yorba Linda Town Center, a 125,000-square-foot shopping and dining center on the corner of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Imperial Highway, featuring Bristol Farms as an anchor tenant. The shopping center opened in April 2019.^[44][45]

There are over 1,000 businesses in the city, not including an additional 1,500 home-based businesses.^[46] The city also owns Black Gold Golf Club ^[114] .^[47] Non-profit charities based in Yorba Linda include International Student Volunteers and STEMpowerment Inc.

Savi Ranch is an acronym of Santa Ana Valley Irrigation, an early water company.^[48] Savi Ranch today contains retailers, auto dealers, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings.^[49]

Originally, the city pursued construction of an auto mall on the entire Savi Ranch site.^[50] The original plan was rejected by residents in favor of a combination of retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings. As of 2018, one of the three original car lots has been converted into state-mandated low-income housing, one is vacant, and the sole remaining car dealer, specializing in high-end, exotic, & specialty used cars, is notably thriving.

As a significant source of sales tax revenue to Yorba Linda and as one of the first anchor tenants (along with Best Buy),^[51] The Home Depot became a political talking point in its own right,^[52] due to the geography that divides Savi Ranch into two sections, the larger east side falling within Yorba LInda's city limits, and the west side where Home Depot is situated falling within the adjacent City of Anaheim boundaries. 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 ceased operations and The Home Depot moved into the location it previously occupied, taking the sales tax revenue with it to Anaheim.

Also located in the Yorba Linda side of Savi Ranch is the headquarters of John Force Racing, housing operations & hosting displays of legendary 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.

According to the City's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[53] the top employers in the city are:

Yorba Linda is California's most conservative large community – as measured by the proportion of conservative to liberal voters.^[54] As of February 2019, the California Secretary of State reported that Yorba Linda had 42,996 registered voters; of those, 9,456 (22.0%) are registered Democrats, 21,483 (50.0%) are registered Republicans, and 10,412 (24.2%) have stated no political party preference.^[55] The city voted for California Proposition 8 by 65.8% and for Proposition 4 by 59.3%.^[56] Yorba Linda was one of just three California cities to pass a measure in their city council proclaiming its support for the Arizona immigration law, SB1070.^[57] In the 2016 presidential election, Yorba Linda gave Donald Trump 56.63% of the vote, and Hillary Clinton 33.61% of the vote out of 36,398 ballots cast.^[58]

The city council consists of five members that are elected by residents to four-year terms, with a three-term limit.^[59] The council elects its own mayor at the end of every year, whose duties are largely ceremonial because the city employs a council-manager form of government and the city manager runs day-to-day operations.^[60]

As of 2018, the council consists of:^[61]

Management of the city and coordination of city services is provided by:

Yorba Linda has four commissions, which meet monthly or bimonthly, to advise the city council about their respective projects.^[62]

The library commission operates the Yorba Linda Public Library, which has existed in some form since 1913, and is composed of five residents whose duties include selecting new materials for the library to acquire and establishing guidelines and regulations, among other things.^[63]

The planning commission is in charge of matters pertaining to land use, zoning, annexation, right-of-ways, and construction of new buildings, among other things; however, its five members are appointed by the council.^[64]

The traffic commission seeks to address issues of safety, flow, public complaints, parking, and others.^[65] Members serve terms of two years.^[65]

The parks and recreation commission is composed of council-appointed members as well and is tasked with a variety of responsibilities for all of the city's facilities and trails.^[66]

In the California State Legislature, Yorba Linda is in the 29th Senate District, represented by Republican Ling Ling Chang, and in the 55th Assembly District, represented by Republican Phillip Chen.^[67]

In the United States House of Representatives, Yorba Linda is in California's 39th congressional district, represented by Democrat Gil Cisneros.^[68]

Law enforcement is currently contracted out to the Orange County Sheriff's Department (California).^[69] OCSD maintains a sub-station at Arroyo Park ^[115] , where Lieutenant Cory Martino is Chief of Police Services.^[70]

From 1971 to 2013, police services were provided by the Brea Police Department. Beginning in 1971, this marked the first time in the state's history that a municipality, as opposed to a county sheriff's department, provided police services to another municipality.^[71] Prior to this setup, but after the city's incorporation in 1967, Yorba Linda did contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, which was and still is typical for municipalities that are not large enough or simply choose not to maintain an in-house police department.

In 2012, the Yorba Linda City Council met with citizens and police chiefs from the Anaheim and Brea police departments, along with Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, to vote on a new public safety contract. The meeting lasted 9 hours, finally ending at 3:00am on Wednesday April 25. The verdict, Yorba Linda would end its contract with the Brea Police Department after 42 years of service by the Brea Police Department. The city signed a 5-year contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department becoming effective May 2013.

Fire services are provided by the Orange County Fire Authority.

The Yorba Linda Water District, headquartered in Placentia, serves nearly all residents.^[72][73] Golden State Water, which also has a field office in Placentia, serves the remainder.^[73][74]

The city contracts out waste collection to Yorba Linda Disposal.^[73][75]

Natural gas is provided by Southern California Gas Company, and electricity is provided by Southern California Edison.^[73]

Yorba Linda has a history of equestrianism with 30 horse trails totaling over 100 miles.^[76][77] As of August 2013, there are plans to construct public stables.^[78]

Yorba Linda is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, which enrolled approximately 25,000 students as of the 2015–2016 school year.^[79] A small portion of Yorba Linda, however, is directed to the Orange Unified School District.

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 (Anaheim, California) (boys), Cornelia Connelly School of the Holy Child (Anaheim, California) (girls) or Rosary High School (Fullerton, California) (girls), Mater Dei High School (co-ed) in Santa Ana, or Santa Margarita Catholic High School (co-ed) in Rancho Santa Margarita.

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.^[80] Historically, a majority of Yorba Linda students also attend Esperanza^[81] in Anaheim, and Valencia, or El Dorado in Placentia, the other three high schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District.^[82] Students can take an assessment to be placed into the magnet Troy High School in nearby Fullerton which is part of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. Troy High is one of the best performing high schools in the nation by standardized test scores.^[83]

Nearby community colleges within twenty miles from the city hall include Fullerton College, Santiago Canyon College, Irvine Valley College, Cypress College, and Santa Ana College. Nearby four-year public universities include California State University, Fullerton, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and University of California, Irvine.

Yorba Linda also has a few Montessori preschools:

The Yorba Linda Public Library is located at 18181 Imperial Highway.^[84] The current library was built in 1960 and then expanded to its current size in 1970.^[85] The library is three floors: the ground floor houses the Friends of the Library bookstore and the community room; the first floor houses circulation, adult services, and passport services; and the second floor houses children's services and administration.

A new library and performing arts center will open three blocks from the current library in early- to mid-2020.^[86]

The Yorba Linda Public Library offers services and programs for all ages. For children, this includes family story time, infant story time, toddler story time, preschool story time, Bookbug Club (grades K-3), tween events (grades 4-8), and family events like Lego Mania.^[87] For teens and adults, the library offers a variety of book clubs, classes, and special events.

The library has several special collections. The music lending collection offers musical instruments, vinyl records, and record players for check out. The seed lending library is a collaborative seed saving collection. The Healthy U collection offers board games, puzzles, day pack hike kits, sewing machines, and story time kits for check out. The library also has a 3D printer.^[88]