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Tustin is a city in central Orange County, between Santa Ana, Irvine and Orange, about 35 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It was founded in 1868 by carriage maker Columbus Tustin, who laid out a town site on former rancho land, and for decades it was a quiet farm town surrounded by orange and walnut groves. Tustin incorporated as a city in 1927, and its historic core, Old Town Tustin, still keeps tree-shaded streets, Victorian homes and early commercial buildings from that era.
During World War II the Navy built a lighter-than-air base south of town, and its two enormous wooden blimp hangars became famous local landmarks; the base later served the Marine Corps as MCAS Tustin until it closed in 1999. Much of the former base has been redeveloped as Tustin Legacy, with new neighborhoods, parks and The District shopping center, and in 2023 one of the two historic hangars was destroyed by fire while the other still stands.
Today Tustin is a city of around 80,000 people known for good schools, the Tustin Ranch neighborhoods in the foothills and plenty of shopping and dining. Visitors can stroll Old Town's Main Street and El Camino Real, learn local history at the Tustin Area Museum, browse The Market Place on the Irvine border, and join the city for its long-running Tustin Tiller Days festival each fall.
Old Town Tustin around Main Street and El Camino Real keeps 19th-century homes, tree-lined streets and small restaurants, cafes and antique shops in one of Orange County's oldest communities. Historic markers explain the town's founding by Columbus Tustin in 1868. Park once and explore on foot, ideally on a weekend morning.
The Tustin Area Museum, run by the Tustin Area Historical Society in Old Town, displays photos, documents and objects about the town's ranching days, citrus groves, the Marine air station and its blimp hangars. Volunteers share local stories and walking tour maps. It opens only a few days a week, so check hours before visiting.
The Tustin blimp hangars were built in 1942 for Navy airships and were among the largest wooden structures ever built, over 1,000 feet long. The north hangar was destroyed by fire in 2023, while the south hangar still stands on the former base. The site is closed to the public, but the hangar can be seen from nearby streets and parks.
The District at Tustin Legacy is a large open-air shopping center on the former Marine air station, with big-box stores, restaurants, a cinema and entertainment venues. It is a convenient stop for meals and errands. Views of the remaining blimp hangar appear across the old base land nearby, so look east as you drive in.
The Market Place is a long outdoor shopping center along Jamboree Road on the Tustin and Irvine border, with dozens of stores, supermarkets, restaurants and a cinema in Southwest-inspired buildings. It is popular for casual dining and errands. Parking is free, and spots near the restaurants fill quickly at dinnertime.
Peppertree Park is a shady neighborhood park near Old Town Tustin with old pepper trees, lawns, a playground, a baseball field and picnic tables. It hosts community events through the year and makes an easy break during a walk around the historic district. Picnic areas can be reserved through the city for group gatherings.
Veterans Sports Park is a modern city park on the former Marine base land, with sports fields, a skate area, playgrounds, walking paths and a memorial honoring military veterans. Wide lawns make it good for families. Evenings and weekends are busy with youth leagues, so weekday mornings are calmer for a quiet walk.
Columbus Tustin Park, named for the town's founder, is a community park with ball fields, a gym, tennis courts, playgrounds and shaded picnic areas. It is a center for city recreation programs and youth sports. Check the city recreation calendar for classes and events, and bring shade for summer games on the open fields.
Tustin Ranch Golf Club is a public 18-hole course in the Tustin Ranch area, laid out with lakes, bunkers and mature trees, and known for good conditions for a public course. It has a practice range and a restaurant. Book tee times online, especially for weekend mornings, and expect a dress code typical of upscale courses.
Tustin Tiller Days is a community festival held each fall, celebrating the town's farming past with a parade, carnival rides, live music, food booths and local organization stands. It draws large crowds from across the area. Arrive early for the parade route, and use shuttles or park farther away, as nearby streets fill up fast.
The Tustin Chili Cook-Off fills Old Town Tustin's streets each June with chili tasting booths from local cooks and restaurants, live bands, craft vendors and a beer garden. Proceeds support local charities. Buy tasting kits early, wear comfortable shoes, and expect hot sun on the closed streets in the afternoon.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Orange County Archives from Orange County, California, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Dave Walker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dave Walker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nandaro, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
