Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo Lake is a human-made reservoir of approximately 124 surface acres of water and 50 acres of land that was created for recreational purposes. Formed by damming the canyon of Oso Creek, Lake Mission Viejo features a variety of recreational facilities, including two beaches - Playa del Norte (North Beach) and Playa del Este (East Beach), a full-service marina and boat launching facility, picnic areas, and a shoreline fishing area. Other amenities include boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, lakeside movie nights and summer concerts and the lake is surrounded by private residential communities just south of Santiago Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

The Shops at Mission Viejo is a shopping mall that was established in 1979 and features over 160 stores, including brand names like Macy's, and Nordstrom. The southernmost mall in Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo also houses an array of restaurants and cafés, and service stores, including H&M, Apple, Sephora, P.F. Chang's China Bistro and The Cheesecake Factory. Conveniently located at the intersection of the I-5 and Crown Valley Parkway, the Shops at Mission Viejo serves many nearby communities such as Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, and the city of Mission Viejo.

555 The, Shops At Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

The Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club is a Tom Lehman-designed 18-hole championship-length golf course that offers a challenging and unforgettable golf experience. Built by famous golf course architect, Casey O’Callaghan, the 240-acre course is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Ladera Open Space Reserve and the Trabuco Creek and boasts spectacular views from every tee and hole. The club hosts several important tournaments through the year, has a casual restaurant and grill that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor patio seating, and can be rented for special occasions and celebrations such as weddings and receptions.

26772 Avery Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, Phone: 949-305-5100

SoCal Paddle Yoga offers unique opportunities to learn and practice paddle yoga. Based on Lake Mission Viejo, which provide the ideal conditions for yoga and fitness on water and a beautiful place to practice on the water, SoCal Paddle Yoga offers small classes of up to seven students of all skill levels and provides premier Starboard paddle equipment specifically designed for yoga on the water to balance and stretch. Classes are designed to cater for all skill levels from beginners to more experienced paddlers and regular yoga practitioners, with the only prerequisite being that students can swim. Instructors are fully qualified and ensure safety first.

22555 Olympiad Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, Phone: 949-945-9891

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

The Oso Creek Trail is a 3.2-mile paved hiking and biking trail that runs along the Oso Creek below the Oso Viejo Park playground and connects the Jeronimo Open Space Park and Oso Viejo Community Park. The moderately trafficked loop trail features lovely views of the surrounding countryside that is packed with native plants and seasonal wildflowers, along with a variety of community artwork. Other features along the dog-friendly trail include an Oak Grove, a Peace Obelisk to commemorate the victims of the September 11th attacks, a Garden Maze and Butterfly Garden and a Recycled Walkway with artworks from local artists.

24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, Phone: 949-470-3061

Rancho Lago Santa Margarita or Rancho Santa Margarita Lake is an 11.5-acre lake in the shadow of Mount Modjeska and Mount Santiago that offers a variety of year-round recreational activities. Only one foot deep in some places, the beautiful lake offers year-round swimming, fishing, boating, and other water sports, as well as hiking and mountain biking around the 1.1-mile shoreline walking trail. The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish every spring and hosts the annual Fishing Derby every May, as well as other events such as Fourth of July celebrations.

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Bellante Family Winery is a family-owned and operated winery that has been producing small batch, hand-crafted wines for more than 18 years. Named in honor of founder Charles Bellante, Bellante Family Winery produces a range of red varietals, including Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Rhone Reds, which can be tasted in the winery’s modern tasting room. The winery also hosts wine-related private events and functions throughout the year.

23854 Vía Fabricante D-2, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, Phone: 949-716-6677

Where to Eat

Located in the Crown Valley Retail Center, Stacks Pancake House is a casual breakfast spot that serves a variety of mouthwatering specialty pancakes with various toppings along with light lunch fare such as burgers and fries, sandwiches, salads and more. Specialty pancakes include Banana Macadamia Nut Pancakes topped with coconut syrup, Oreo Cookie Pancakes, Strawberry Pancakes, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Globally-inspired breakfast dishes range from omelets and egg dishes to Hawaiian Loco Moco, French Crepes, Japanese Fried Rice Omelets, and American Eggs Benedict. Stacks Pancake House is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

27680 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, Phone: 949-218-4600