The area was originally inhabited by native americans who were visited by a Spanish expedition in 1769. The area was under Spanish control until it became a part of Mexico. The governors created three ranchos: Rancho Trabuco, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita. In 1882 the area was purchased by James Flood and Jerome O’Neil, and run as a working ranch.
In 1940 the ranch was divided, and the O’Neill family retained the northern part. The Flood family parcel became Camp Pendleton in 1942.
In 1963 the O’Neill family created the Mission Viejo Company and started plans for a new community on the western section of the ranch south of the El Toro marine base. This ultimately became the model city of Mission Viejo. Later in the 60’s, the first homes were developed in Coto de Caza, an isolated resort on the Trabuco plain. In the 80’s, the owners of Rancho Mission Viejo set aside land in the Trabuco area, and plans were started for a new community called Rancho Santa Margarita. Home construction began in 1986. As new neighborhoods were added, developers reached out and built homes in Robinson Ranch, Walden, Rancho Cielo, Dove Canyon, and tract homes in Coto.By 1989, seeking local control of community affairs, the residents began the quest for cityhood. A local Civic Association was initiated, and in 1995, the actual cityhood drive began. The development of Rancho Santa Margarita became a city on January 1, 2000.
