The Safest Cities in Southern California: 18 Options for Danger-free Living in 2024

What are the safest cities in Southern California? Southern California is a captivating area famed for the breathtaking Pacific Coastline and the sunny weather. If you wish to settle in this place but are unsure about its security, keep reading, and I shall highlight the safest places you can reside in in 2024. Come, let us get started!

The Safest Cities in Southern California: How Do I Come Up With Violent Crime Rates and Property Crime?

A few things should be pondered to determine if a location is a safe city. Statistics examine the city-level crime rate in the state. Additionally, it includes info on:

• Violence-related crimes;
• Stealing cars;
• Aggravated assault;
• Crimes on properties;
• A few other criminal activities.

California is at position 17 in the nation for violence-related crimes in 2023. This is because from 2021 to 2023, it was documented that:

• California’s crime rate for violent crimes increased by 6.1%
• California’s average for property-related crimes increased by 6.2%

This means that there are 442 incidents per 100,000 individuals. But this should not scare you. There are quite a number of safe cities for you to live in. Let us not waste any time and look at the 18 safest cities in California.

Read also: 15 Safest Cities In Northern California With Low Crime Rates

1. Rancho Santa Margarita

Rancho Santa Margarita is located in Orange County, actually the youngest city. It’s among the safest cities in southern California. Its location near the Santa Ana Mountains provides access to breathtaking sceneries and miles of hiking paths.

Rancho Santa Margarita is a safe place, and visitors will feel safe while visiting Rancho’s iconic venues and doing fun activities such as:

• Strolling in Whiting Ranch Wilderness;
• Hiking through O’Neill Regional Park;
• Driving to Lago Santa Maria.

Here is why it’s the safest city in Southern California:

2. Moorpark

An individual can locate Moorpark down in sunny California. Among Ventura County’s municipalities, it is among the safest. Moorpark is home to:

• Exceptional breweries;
• A family zoo;
• Cultural centers;
• A wide variety of relaxation activities.

Moorpark is well-known for its large green area, excellent schools, and youthful, literate residents. After I’ve talked about the city itself, it’s time to look at the crime data in this city.

3. Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo is a bustling location in southern Orange County. There is a vast assortment of allures and activities in Aliso Viejo. You can find something you want to do in the many community events, gardens, and leisure areas.

Read also: San Diego vs San Francisco: Which One is the Best for Living

Aliso has multiple hospitals and corporate centers for various industries. Aliso Viejo’s closeness to larger cities like San Diego and LA has made it a famous and great place for city-weary citizens and those desiring a quieter and safer place to settle.

Now, that we’ve learned about the town, let’s delve into the city’s crime statistics.

4. Villa Park

Villa Park is the smallest in Orange County and among the safest cities in California. Most of Villa Park has been built upon, including many single-family houses on typical half-acre lots. What are the characteristics of Villa Park?

• Only one retail mall and an Orange County Public Library branch can be found in the city. Even so, amenities are conveniently located close by.
• The city is located approximately 15 minutes from Disneyland in Anaheim and only 4 miles northeast of Orange.
• Chapman University is also a private research institution with eleven colleges and schools nearby.

The crime rate in Villa Park is 62% lower than the national average:

5. Poway

Poway, found in San Diego County, presents an appealing alternative for most desiring a nature-centered life in the Southern California region.

Two of the city’s most famous recreations comprise:

• Riding in a boat and fishing on Poway Lake.
• Exploring at Poway’s Blue Sky Ecological Reserve.

Here are its crime stats:

6. Yorba Linda

Yorba, which is in Orange County, is one of the safest cities in California. It is merely 37 miles outside of L.A. When people think of Yorba Linda, they generally think of Richard Nixon.

Parks, museums, and other attractions are all within walking distance, and you may go there without worrying about your safety. The city effectively embodies its motto, Land of Gracious Living, by ensuring a high standard of living and exhibiting an exceptionally low crime rate.

7. Rancho Palos Verdes

An opportunity to reside in Rancho Palos Verdes, a stunning coastal city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, should not be missed. You can spend as much time exploring the beautiful California coastline or one of the city’s many sites.

Let’s turn our attention to the crime rankings in this city:

8. Laguna Woods

Once a portion of Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods became Orange County’s 32nd city in 1999. are you a retiree looking for a place to settle? Laguna Woods is among the top retirement communities in Southern California.

Read also: Why Is California Called the Golden State? 13 Surprise Facts

Crystal Cove State Park and the beaches of Laguna Beach are only a few minutes away, and residents have quick and simple access to I-5 and the shopping in Laguna Hills. The crime rate there is also significantly lower. It is 60% lower than the national average.

9. Laguna Niguel

Niguel is located in the San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, not far from the Pacific Ocean. Since environmental matters are taken seriously, almost a quarter of the city has been set aside as parks and other unobstructed areas. There are over 23 parks outstretched in the entire city and two community parks.

Plenty of indoor fun activities in Laguna Niguel keep you occupied if you tire of the outdoors. You can go to the spa, the farmer’s market, or walk around the city. Low crime statistics mean you may feel safe exploring the great outdoors or the city at large. Stealing and burglary are identified as the city’s most frequent crimes.

10. Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo is one of the safest cities in Orange County. This city is ideal for those who want to live in the suburbs but yet have easy access to the city. Mission Viejo is conveniently located near major urban areas, like:

• San Diego (only 73 miles away);
• Los Angeles (just 49 miles);
• Irvine (roughly 13 miles to the southeast).

Mission Viejo is known for its lovely Spanish mission-style architecture, with most residences being constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. With Lake Mission Viejo as its focal point, Mission is home to two major shopping and entertainment hubs:

• The Kaleidoscope Center;
• The Shops at Mission Viejo.

Now I’m going to show you the crime rating of this city:

11. San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano is a city south of Orange County. It is famed for the Mission San Juan Capistrano and the annual Return of the Swallows, accommodating more than 300,000 tourists annually. The Doheny State Beach, a portion of the city of Dana Point, keeps the city from being on the coast.

Here’s why this place is considered safe:

12. Santa Clarita

To the north of Los Angeles lies Santa Clarita. Its numerous shops and beautiful parks are outstretched for residents’ convenience, and miles of pathways for cycling and hiking trails.

Read also: Florida vs California: Which State is the Best to Live In?

Now, let’s shift our focus to the statistics in this area:

13. Temple City

It is one of the safest cities in California. It is situated in Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Mountains. Has it ever been your dream to live with the Latino community? You can make your dreams come true by relocating to Tempe City.

Here’s the data on which I named it one of the safest place:

14. Santee

Situated in San Diego County, between Cleveland National Forest and the Pacific coast. This means that there is an abundance of outdoor activities that the residents enjoy! Plus, it is a safe place to call home.

Its crime stats are not high either:

15. Lake Forest

It’s situated in Orange County. Lake Forest is one of the safest cities in California to bring up a family. A canopy of eucalyptus trees surrounds two lakes bordered by luxury homes and condos, and it is only 11 miles east of Irvine. The city is also home to two lakes.

Bragging a crime rate 53% lower than the national average and a violent crime rate 72% lower.

16. Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks is situated in LA, Southern Ventura County. Thousand Oaks has many resources and allows its people to take pleasure in the vantage of nearness to Los Angeles by traveling a short stretch south.

Now time to explore the crime rating for this city:

17. Murrieta

Murrieta is located in Riverside County. But what is so striking about Murrieta that is causing it to grow? Well, it is among the safest places you can choose to live in. Also, there are:

• Eccentric businesses;
• Several amusement areas;
• Natural parks.

Murrieta is the perfect place for a young household on a budget.

Here is why this city one of the safest:

18. Dana Point

Dona Point is beautiful and among the safest cities in California. Luxurious coastal accommodations, such as the Monarch Beach Resort and the Ritz-Carlton Nigel Laguna, attract affluent tourists from around the globe.

Although situated in the southern region of Orange County, the distance between Anaheim and Dana Point is a mere 35 miles, making it a very short distance. Dana is a convenient starting place for exploring San Diego, located approximately an hour’s drive away.

Let’s discover its crime statistics:

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

California is the most inhabited State in the US, and it’s now clear why most people opt to live here. There are several safe places which you can call home. The cities I have mentioned above have lower crime rates than the national average.

For example, Rancho Santa Margarita has a total crime rate of 6.87 (per 1,000 locals), Santa Clarita has 11.19, Poway has 9.56, Moorpark has 7.51, and Villa Park has 9.53. The national average for violent crimes is 22.7, while the national average for property crimes is 35.4.

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