Esencia is the second major village in Rancho Mission Viejo, developed between 2017 and 2021, and is widely regarded as the most amenity-rich and socially dynamic village in the community. Built along west-facing hillsides, Esencia’s terraced neighborhoods deliver elevated living with panoramic views that span protected backcountry open space and coastal sunsets.

At full build-out, Esencia includes 2,747 total homes, carefully balanced across multiple housing types and life stages:

• 1,755 all-ages homes, including attached and detached residences
• 730 Gavilán 55+ homes, primarily single-level and designed for active adults
• 150 market-rate apartment homes
• 112 affordable apartment homes, thoughtfully integrated into the village

This mix supports families, professionals, downsizers, and active adults while preserving long-term neighborhood stability, walkability, and resale relevance.

Lifestyle Design and Community Structure

Esencia is intentionally designed around multiple lifestyle hubs rather than a single clubhouse, creating daily activity zones that are walkable, social, and highly interactive. Parks, recreation, dining, creative spaces, and fitness amenities are layered throughout the village, allowing residents to engage with the community in different ways depending on lifestyle and stage of life.

The Hilltop Club: Esencia’s Signature Hub

At the highest point in the village sits The Hilltop Club, Esencia’s primary recreation and social anchor. This resort-style destination blends wellness, entertainment, and gathering spaces into a single, iconic setting.

Amenities include a swimming pool and spa, separate wading pool, indoor-outdoor fitness center, group fitness studio, staffed event bar, arcade, fire pits, BBQ pavilion and picnic areas, courtyard patio with kitchen facilities, ping pong table, and a large event lawn used for community events and celebrations. Community Wi-Fi throughout the space allows residents to work remotely while enjoying the setting.

The Backyard, The Garage, and Social Spaces

In the heart of Esencia lies The Backyard, a 5.5-acre linear park designed as the village’s social backbone. Dotted throughout are covered loggias, fire pits, a large tot lot, gravity rail, children’s play zones and playhouses, The Hangout, and shaded gathering areas.

Anchoring The Backyard is The Garage, an open-air, highly flexible community space. The Garage includes two flex studios, a Great Room with informal serving counter, tap and kegerator, indoor bar and kitchenette, and an outdoor loggia with seating. Additional features include ping pong, tetherball, fire pit seating, and a green lawn surrounded by child-scale playhouses, making it ideal for clubs, parties, and family-friendly gatherings.

Canyon, Farm, and Nature Integration

Esencia maintains a deep connection to the natural landscape through Oak Canyon, a preserved oak-filled canyon with scenic overlooks and hiking trails that lead directly to The Canyon House.

The Canyon House functions as both a daily hangout and an inspired event venue, featuring Canyon Coffee by Blue Hummingbird, expansive courtyards overlooking the canyon, multiple loggias, open-air and enclosed seating, an on-site catering kitchen, and The Studio for arts and crafts. Reservable spaces allow it to host private events, including weddings.

Nearby, Esencia Farm reinforces RMV’s agrarian heritage with raised planter beds, row crops, fruit trees, a greenhouse, and outdoor courtyard used for seasonal programming and hands-on community activities.

Sports, Pools, and Active Recreation

Esencia is anchored by Providence Mission Hospital Sports Park, formerly known as Esencia Sports Park. This 30-acre, state-of-the-art multi-use facility serves both Esencia residents and the surrounding community.

The park includes more than 19 acres of active space with two baseball fields, one softball field, four batting cages, a multi-use turf field, stadium-quality lighting, playground structures, concession stand, and expansive picnic and play areas. Lighted tennis and pickleball courts are available, along with the North Plunge, which features a pool with lap lanes.

Additional aquatic destinations include:

• South Plunge, offering a pool, children’s water play area, outdoor dining with BBQs, and lawn space
• North Plunge, featuring a pool with three lap lanes and splash pad, BBQ and fire pit areas, four pickleball courts, and three tennis courts (one convertible to pickleball)

Across The Ranch, residents also enjoy an expanding pickleball network with 12 active courts and additional courts planned at Gavilán Ridge.

Parks, Pets, and Community Spaces

Esencia’s park system includes Esencia Green, an expansive lawn with playground structures, seating, and an amphitheater-style stage for community events, as well as Pavilion Park, which features a multi-purpose building, gymnasium, playground, picnic areas with BBQs, and open play fields with a soccer field and softball backstop.

Dog owners benefit from South Paw Dog Park, which includes fenced lawn areas, separate small and large dog zones, dog drinking fountains, dog wash rooms, shaded seating, and umbrella cover.

Schools, Transportation, and Daily Living

Esencia is home to Esencia School, a K-8 S.T.E.A.M. campus within the Capistrano Unified School District. The curriculum emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, providing a well-rounded and future-focused education. Older students typically attend Tesoro High School, located nearby.

Residents also have access to RanchRide, Rancho Mission Viejo’s community shuttle service, designed to support a more connected and sustainable lifestyle by transporting residents to events, amenities, and destinations throughout The Ranch and surrounding areas.

Who Esencia Is Best For

Esencia is an ideal fit if you want:

• Homes built between 2017 and 2021
• Elevated hillside neighborhoods with views
• The deepest amenity network in RMV
• Strong social hubs and daily gathering spaces
• A balanced mix of families, professionals, and active adults

Esencia stands apart as Rancho Mission Viejo’s most amenity-complete and lifestyle-driven village, blending elevation, design, and community infrastructure into a highly livable, long-term environment.