Laguna Niguel is a suburban city in Orange County, California in the United States. The name Laguna Niguel is derived from the words "Laguna" (Spanish for "lagoon") and "Niguili" (the name of a Native American village once located near Aliso Creek). As of the 2010 census, the population was 62,979. Laguna Niguel is located in the San Joaquin Hills in the southeastern corner of Orange County, close to the Pacific Ocean, and borders the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano.

Laguna Niguel has its origins in the Rancho Niguel Mexican land grant, which was acquired in 1959 by the Laguna Niguel Corporation to develop one of California's first master-planned communities. As a predominantly residential city, Laguna Niguel serves as a bedroom community for the job centers of northern and central Orange County. Laguna Niguel has a median household income 31 percent above the Orange County average and nearly double the U.S. average. It is known for its mild coastal climate, low crime rate, and its numerous parks and public trails.

Over one-third of Laguna Niguel is designated as open space. This significant amount of open space is one of the key features defining the character and urban form of the City. The City has two community parks, 23 neighborhood parks, three mini-parks, one dog park, two county regional parks, two small county parks, and the Skate & Soccer Park.

The name “Laguna Niguel” is derived from the Spanish word “Laguna,” which means lagoon, and the word “Nigueli,” which was the name of a Juaneno Indian village once located near Aliso Creek. In 1821, California became Mexican territory and many rancheros were formed in Southern California, including Rancho Niguel. During this period, Rancho Niguel was primarily used as a sheep ranch. The first private landowner of the area was Juan Avila, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, who obtained land through a Mexican land grant in 1842. Juan Avila was also successful in re-establishing his title to the land after California became US territory in 1848 and remained the owner of “Rancho Niguel” until 1865.

In 1895, the “Rancho Niguel” land became part of the Moulton Company, a company that would eventually control over 19,000 acres of local ranch land.

Famous Peoples From Laguna Niguel

Gavyn Bailey

Gavyn Matthew Bailey (born May 29, 1998) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He entered the music industry with his first EP, Sickly in Love which landed him at No. 4 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts in 2013. Gavyn has had music featured on MTV's Degrassi and FreeForm’s Party of Five (2020 TV series). Gavyn is also a published songwriter, signed by Adam Anders and Alan Melina to Bump Into Genius and Warner/Chappell Music. He is a co-writer of “Ville Ønske Jeg Havde Kendt Dig” performed by Emil, which came in third place at the 2020 Dansk Melodi Grand Prix.

Laguna Niguel Points of Interest

Laguna Niguel Farmer’s Market
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Orange County Natural History Museum
Crown Valley Community Park
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park