Northwood, Irvine, California

Northwood is a community encompassing the northern portions of the city of Irvine, in Orange County, California.

It covers the area enclosed by the Santa Ana Freeway, Culver Drive, Portola Parkway and Jeffrey Road.

The Irvine family gave or sold parcels of the area as bonuses and gifts to ranch foremen and other employees.

[1] Like most of Irvine's villages, Northwood is known for certain unique characteristics, the most prominent of which are the eucalyptus windrows that enclose neighborhoods and line main thoroughfares, and include many of the trees that were planted when the land was farmed, as crop protection against fierce Santa Ana Winds.

Also characteristic of the village are views of the Santa Ana Mountains to the north and a preponderance of single-family dwellings often situated on somewhat larger lots.