Saddleback Valley refers to the flat and foothill areas west-southwest of the Saddleback double peak of the Santa Ana Mountains and east-northeast of the hilly Crystal Cove State Park in southern Orange County, California.

The region primarily encompasses the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Rancho Santa Margarita, as well as the communities of Coto de Caza and Ladera Ranch.

The cityscape within Saddleback Valley is suburban, a remote reach of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The area is recently developed and on the outskirts of the Southern California megalopolis, so wildlife sightings are more common.

[1][2] Mountain lion attacks on people have happened in the outlying wilderness parks of Saddleback Valley, but they are very rare.