Ladera Ranch is a master-planned community and census-designated place[2] located in south Orange County, California, just outside the city limits of Mission Viejo.

[3] Located along Antonio Parkway and Crown Valley Parkway, construction of the community began in 1999 on portions of the O'Neill, Avery, & Moiso families' 23,000-acre (93 km2) Rancho Mission Viejo cattle ranch, which was the largest remaining working ranch in Orange County.

The Covenant Hills village is a gated community which is closed to the general public, but accessible to all card-carrying residents of Ladera Ranch.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Ladera Ranch had a median household income of $131,892, with 4.0% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Law enforcement services in Ladera Ranch are provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol.

LARMAC enforces its Governing Documents and imposes architectural control in the community.

Day-to-day activities are performed by the general manager and supervised by the LARMAC Board.

The Ladera Ranch Civic Council (LRCC)[30] is a volunteer group that advises the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The seven-member Civic Council board of directors focuses on topics within Ladera Ranch that are traditionally associated with a municipal body, such as planning and land use, public safety, and infrastructure.

The community sponsors the annual Fourth of July Celebration, a Summer Concert series, Family Campout, movie night in the park, Spring and Fall Festivals, National Night Out, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa visit, and a Bark, Biscuits, and Brew event, as well as partnership events with local charities and vendors.

A branch of the Orange County Public Library is also located on the campus of Ladera Ranch School.

Prior to its opening in 2007, students in areas currently served by San Juan Hills attended Capistrano Valley High School.